Sterotyping in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Essay

Topic 1: Stereotyping. The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is based on the experiences of one girl, Scout, growing up in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s. The novel explains some conflicts in Scout’s life. Scout, the main character, learns that things are not always morally correct and is confronted with the reality of prejudice and stereotyping. Scout struggles with understanding the prejudice and stereotyping she witnesses. Atticus Finch, Scouts father, with his strongly held convictions, wisdom, and empathy, Atticus functions as the novels moral backbone. (2). Atticus tries to raise his children to be fair and nonjudgmental. It is through the lessons of Atticus and Scouts experiences with discrimination that the reader sees†¦show more content†¦Regardless of the lack of evidence, the jury and town are reluctant to take the word of a black man over two white accusers. Atticus strongly pleads for the jury to look past race and stereotypes and serve true justice, They were confident that you gentlemen would go along with them on the assumption- the evil assumption- that all Negros lie, and that all Negros are basically immoral beings.† †¦ â€Å"I am confident that you gentlemen will review without passion the evidence you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this defendant to his family. In the name of God, do your duty. (1). Throughout this trial Scout not only witnesses prejudice and stereotyping, she becomes the victim of several people throughout the book. When Scout arrives for her first day of school, she meets Miss Caroline, a teacher from the north. Miss Caroline has predetermined thoughts as to how the class should be taught and how the children should learn. When Scout tells the teacher she can read and write, she is punished and told she should not learn outside of school and that she is too young to be able to read and write. Scout was mad with Miss Carolines refusal to accept any other teaching method but her own. This shows how Scout was stereotyped because she was from rural Alabama and the teacher stereotyped everyone to be dumber than herself. When Scout is verbally abused because her father is defending Tom Robinson, she becomes