Characterisation In To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee explores the idea of prejudice and the consequences of such attitudes. Prejudice, where one harbours an unfavourable opinion of another without prior foundation, is the product of a lack of understanding and unnecessary fear. Based on race and differences of situation and character, prejudice can result in undue hostility and injustice. Contrasting, however, are understanding and courage to oppose injustice, eventually leading to tolerance and the absence of prejudice. Witnessing such contrasting views of prejudice and a lack thereof can also result in ones personal development towards maturity, thus eliminating prejudice.

Prejudice based on the awareness of racial differences stems from a lack of understanding and is often the cause of injustice. Racial prejudice is epitomised by the characterisation of Tom Robinson, regarding whom such attitudes are expressed. Several characters comments, Toms death was typical. Typical of a nigger to cut and run. Typical of a niggers mentality to have no plan. Repetition demonstrates how degrading, generic statements are applied to describe Afro-Americans due to ignorance of their culture. During the courtroom scene, Tom describes his attitude towards Mayella, Looks like she didnt have nobody to help her. I felt right sorry for her, which is responded to by the rhetorical question You felt sorry for her? This portrayal is typical of the inferiority the Afro-Americans were believed to embody in comparison to the whites. Mrs Dubose remark, Your fathers no better than the niggers and trash he works for! further shows through direct comparison and juxtaposition the negative connotations of being associated with niggers. Such prejudicial remarks later portray injustice, particularly regarding the court case. Atticus states, Weve got is a black mans word against the Ewells. The jury couldnt possibly be expected to take Tom Robinsons word against the Ewells. This is confirmed by the verdict, Guilty guilty guilty which, through ellipses and repetition, emphasises the injustice resulting from prejudice.

Prejudicial attitudes originating from differences in situation and character are often evinced in the form of fears and superstitions, thus leading to intolerance. It is said that Boo Radley went out at night and peeped in windows and that crimes committed in Maycomb were his work. Such ideas reflect the superstitions resulting from fear surrounding the character, which are primarily based on fear. When on the Radley property, Scout says, I stared at the Radley place steps in front of me. I froze. The juxtaposition of a short and long sentence and contrast of syntax emphasises I froze and evinces this sense of fear. Scout says, I reeled around to face Boo Radley and his bloody fangs; instead, I saw Dill, which clearly portrays through descriptive language the unnecessary fear surrounding Boo. The unfavourable opinion of Boo is later confirmed to have no sound basis by, Boo Radley. You were so busy looking at the fire you didn't know it when he put the blanket around you.

The remedy for prejudice based on race and individual differences is seen as understanding, tolerance and courage to challenge detrimental attitudes, which is shown through the characterisation of Atticus. He states, You never really understand a person until you climb into his skin. Atticus, shown by metaphorical language, understands the importance of empathy and, as well as harbouring beneficial attitudes, endeavours to influence others by imperative language such as Stop tormenting that man. His views are similar in regards to racial prejudice, stating, Some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. Repetition highlights a detailed understanding and strong tolerance of society, which, seen in the context of the courtroom, hints at Atticus courage to oppose injustice.

Exploring the contrast between prejudice and a lack thereof is seen to contribute to ones personal growth towards maturity, displayed by the characterisation of Scout. Her somewhat nave and intolerant perspectives are manifest by questions such as, Where are the hymn-books? and I know Tom Robinsons in jail but why wont folks hire Helen? Word choice of, He aint company, Cal, hes just a Cunningham- is indicative of this intolerance. As time progresses, the responder views the emotional and intellectual development Scout experiences. She reflects through metaphorical language of I tried to climb into Jems skin and walk around in it, her desire for her developing maturity. Towards the conclusion, although this development is incomplete, the difference in her actions is evident. She describes how she led him to the chair in deep shadow. Boo would feel more comfortable in the dark, which shows her understanding, tolerance and thus lack of prejudice towards others different to her.

The composers manifestation of prejudice within To Kill a Mockingbird encompasses the idea that, through understanding and the implementation of tolerance, prejudice based on racial and other such differences can be abolished. Furthermore, witnessing contrasting attitudes can result in an increased awareness of ones self and world, thus eliminating prejudice.