Blindness of Prejudice – to Kill a Mockingbird

Everyone forms first impressions about others, but to solve upon these early impressions as definite conclusions about other peoples characters is the beginning of the unfavorable trait of prejudice. In harpist Lees story, To Kill a Mockingbird, a young girl, Scout grows up in the small, southern town of Maycomb, Alabama, where prejudice is heavy. Being a secluded community, rumors drop around rapidly in Maycomb, creating warped and exaggerated stories of the tar stays of the gossip.Harper Lee demonstrates with the causes and sources of the discrimination that prejudice is derived from appearances as well as influences from other people. Harper Lee uses Jems prejudice toward his neighbor, Boo Radley to illustrate that discrimination branches sour of other peoples opinions. Scout discovers two pieces of chewing gumwood in an oak tree on the Radley lot one day, temporary hookup coming home from school. When her brother, Jem realizes where she obtown(prenominal)ed her prize, he s creams, Dont you know youre not supposed to even touch the trees over there?Youll get killed if you do (45). Jems prejudice toward Boo is based on the rumors, stories, and opinions he has heard from other citizens of Maycomb. Despite the fact that he has never seen, permit alone met, their reclusive neighbor, Jem tacit speaks badly of Boo. He discriminates against Boo because of what he has heard, rather than what he has experienced personally. In addition, Harper Lee reveals through and through the white jurys discrimination toward Tom Robinson, a poor, lame swarthy man, that appearances atomic number 18 a major factor contributing toward prejudice.While seated in the courtroom, during Tom Robinsons trial, Scout observes the jury and realizes that All Mr. Ewell had that make him fracture than his nearest neighbors was his skin was white (229). Race and skin intensity are huge contributors to prejudice in Maycomb. Black people are considered to be of lesser value than whit e people. Despite the fact that the Ewells experience under terrible conditions and possess no manners or morals, they still manage to receive much more respect than any black person would warrant. Similarly, Lee demonstrates racism based on first impressions through Lulas ignorant ideas of Jem and Scout.Calpurnia, their black maid, decides to bring Jem and Scout to the black church building one day, where they are met by Lula, a black woman, who angrily declares, You aint got no business bringin white chillun here they got their church, we got ourn (158). Lulas views of white people are similar to the views white people have of black people. She is discriminating against Jem and Scout due to their appearances and skin color. Her ignorance creates a intermission right away between her and the two children before she allows herself to know them better personally.By emphasizing the reasoning of those who are prejudiced toward others, Harper Lee finally reveals that prejudice is m otivated by not only appearances but besides opinions absorbed from other people. Throughout the novel, there was not a case-by-case circumstance where a person discriminated against another because of what they had seen or experienced. All cases of seediness were derived from at least one of many things first impressions, physical features, rumors, and so on Lees morals leave a lasting usurpation on the readers. Prejudice will only end when people chequer themselves from acting upon their pre-formed ideas of others.