As a story based on the Great Depression, the time period shapes many aspects of life that contrast greatly with those of today's society. The 1930s in the South were an era of inequality in many ways. Although many years after the abolition of slavery and rights for people of color began to emerge, themes of racism, race, and ethnicity still continued in the South as people were unable to abandon old habits and traditions. Beyond this, rights for women were still a new concept in this time period, women's suffrage only becoming law in 1920. Women and blacks were treated as less superior, a conflict amply demonstrated in this story of injustice and coming of age for a young girl learning about the world she lives in. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the author portrays the theme of prejudice in many aspects of life in Maycomb, including that of race, gender, and class to show the immense inequality of this time period . Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Race plays a major role in To Kill a Mockingbird, mostly shown as a black man being convicted of a rape he didn't commit because of his race. “In our courts, when it comes to a white man's word against a black man's word, the white man always wins,” “as you get older, you'll see white men cheating black men every day of your life.” This quote portrays the results of inequality during this time. Although the truth is clear that Tom is innocent, people of this time are so controlled by society's ideas about race that they falsely accuse him. Because of this mentality, another innocent man, among many during this time, was sentenced to a death he did not deserve. Just like a mockingbird, people of color are killed without consideration. Gender roles were another important part of life during this time and paved the way for many young women to live as servants to others. This concept was not accepted by Scout, who fought the influence of others by trying to change her. As a "tomboy," Scout wanted to be treated as Jem's equal and not be seen as weak because of her gender. “I wasn't so sure, but Jem told me that, being a girl, that girl always imagined things, that's why other people hated them so and if I started acting like one, I could just go find someone to play". This quote shows that from a young age, children are taught that men are superior. Because of this, Scout tries her best to show others that even though she is a girl, she still wants to belong equally to her friend group. Social class plays another important role in Maycomb, and one's name dictates how one is treated and judged. An example of this is the Ewell family, who are treated above the law because of their class and name. Each family is treated a certain way to keep the peace, and while this can help prevent legal problems from arising, it also creates stereotypes and drama within the town. "'But I want to play with Walter, aunt, why can't I?' He took off his glasses and stared at me. 'I'll tell you why' he said, 'Because he's rubbish, that's why you can't play with him'” (Lee 225). which others see people. Aunt Alexandra based her opinions onthese ideas, not about who they really are, just like many others in Maycomb. Overall, prejudice is a concept that has always existed and will continue to exist as long as people judge others based on their differences. Before Tom Robinson, the habit of judging others based on race and class was easy, as people chose to stick to the status quo. When Tom was convicted, however, many were able to see the underlying problems in their town and question whether it was right. While some were happy with the conviction, those like Jem, Scout, Atticus, and the black community remained ashamed of how prejudice had taken over their town and the world.for that matter. Ultimately, prejudice remains one of life's greatest conflicts and is the root of many problems, then in a time of internalized and institutionalized racism, as well as today, as people hide a false sense of equality. In To Kill A Mockingbird, prejudice is a major theme that repeats throughout the book. Many characters have prejudices against other characters, while others try to fight back. The setting is set in Maycomb, Alabama. The narrator of the book is a young girl named Scout who is very innocent. One of the main reasons why Harper Lee has a child narrate the book is that there is not much bias when discussing important topics such as prejudice. The main character Scout only sees people as people, which is very different from how other people in town behave. Other people in the city show prejudice. The three types of biases shown in the book are racial, socioeconomic, and gender. Harper Lee uses the three different types of prejudice to criticize society and to try to convince it to change its behavior. The first example of prejudice is racial prejudice. This is demonstrated by what Atticus says in his closing argument “'…in the cynical confidence that you gentlemen would agree with them on the assumption – the evil assumption – that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are fundamentally human beings. immoral, that all niggers are not to be trusted men with our women…'” (Lee 273). This quote is Atticus trying to convince the town to look past their prejudices and just look at the facts. It is clear that Tom Robinson did not do what Mayella Ewell claims he did, but the town believes her due to racial prejudice. Atticus wants people to try to overcome their prejudices because it is terrible to assume that everyone is the same based solely on color or race. People in the city are blinded by their prejudices and Harper Lee uses this quote to show that we can overcome how we let our prejudices and opinions keep us from seeing the truth. Not only do opposing races encounter prejudice, but even people of the same race can face its effects. In To Kill A Mockingbird, prejudice is a major theme that repeats throughout the book. Many characters have prejudices against other characters, while others try to fight back. The setting is set in Maycomb, Alabama. The narrator of the book is a young girl named Scout who is very innocent. One of the main reasons why Harper Lee has a child narrate the book is that there is not much bias when discussing important topics such as prejudice. The main character Scout only sees people as people, which is very different from how other people in town behave. Other people in the city show prejudice. The three types of biases shown in the book are racial, socioeconomic, and gender. Harper Lee uses the three different types of prejudice to criticize thesociety and to try to convince it to change its behavior. The first example of prejudice is racial prejudice. This is demonstrated by what Atticus says in his closing argument “'…in the cynical confidence that you gentlemen would agree with them on the assumption – the evil assumption – that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are fundamentally human beings. immoral, that all niggers are not to be trusted men with our women…'” (Lee 273). This quote is Atticus trying to convince the town to look past their prejudices and just look at the facts. It is clear that Tom Robinson did not do what Mayella Ewell claims he did, but the town believes her due to racial prejudice. Atticus wants people to try to overcome their prejudices because it is terrible to assume that everyone is the same based solely on color or race. People in the city are blinded by their prejudices and Harper Lee uses this quote to show that we can overcome how we let our prejudices and opinions keep us from seeing the truth. Not only do opposite races encounter prejudice, but even people of the same race can face the effects of prejudice. Jem and Scout encounter prejudice when they go to church with Calpurnia. “Lula stopped, but said, 'You have nothing to do with the white boys here: they have their church, we have ours'” (Lee 158). Jem and Scout had never encountered any prejudice up until that point. Jem and Scout don't understand why Lula acts this way and are offended by it. Harper Lee uses this quote to show that there are two sides where both races in the city are wrong because they both act on prejudice. Harper Lee also wants us to understand that it doesn't have to be this way and that we can treat each other equally. When Atticus decides to take responsibility for the trial, Jem and Scout encounter even more prejudice. One of their classmates, Cecil Jacobs, says, "'My parents said your father was a disgrace and that those niggers should hang by the water tank!'" (Lee 102). Cecil Jacobs says this because his parents are crazy, like the rest of the town, Atticus is defending someone they think is guilty. Cecil Jacobs learned to behave this way from his parents. Harper Lee uses this quote to show us that children absorb what their parents say and repeat it without thinking about what it means. He wants people to be careful what they say to their children and teach them to accept everyone. In the book he focuses a lot on racial prejudice to try to open our minds to racial equality. The second example of prejudice is socioeconomic. An example of this is when Jem says “'There are four kinds of people in the world. There's the ordinary kind like us and the neighbors, there's the kind like the Cunninghams in the woods, the kind like the Ewells down in a dump, and the niggers'” (Lee 302). In the book, Jem is maturing, and as he matures, he is also losing his innocence. The city's prejudices begin to influence him and he begins to see through the city's eyes. The scout on the other hand sees people only for the people. He still has his innocence. Harper Lee uses this quote to criticize the fact that we are teaching our children to be like this. He believes we need to change this, look beyond social classes and see people for who they are and not where they come from. Later in the book, Aunt Alexandra makes a comment about the Cunninghams and their social class. He says “'Jean Louise, I have no doubt that they are good people. But they are not our kind of people” (Lee 299). Aunt Alexandra says this because she thinks they are good people, but because they are not of the same class.