To Kill A mockingbird - Prejudice In Maycombe
...nside his home. People believe that Boo "went out at night when the moon was down, and peeped in windows... any stealthy small crimes committed in Maycomb were his work"(9). The town would blame or accuse Boo for any little crime or anything unexplained. Children speculate as well as the adults. Jem speculates to Dill "Boo was about six and a half feet tall, ... there was a long jagged scar that ran across his face; what teeth he had were yellow and rotten; his eyes popped, and he drooled most of the time"(13). This is an example of prejudice in the novel because the children speculate and fabricate ideas of what this human does. The town portrays Boo Radley as a monstrosity in their society when he is just an individual who made mistakes and is a little bit diversified. This is an example of the crippling affect that prejudice has on a person. Atticus Finch is another victim of prejudice in the novel. After the appointment to defend Tom Robinson, a black person, the town exhibits prejudice towards him. The townspeople believe that Atticus should not present a proper defense for a black person, but Atticus fully intends to do so because he believes in equal rights and does not believe in prejudice or racism. Atticus Finch is the object of vicious comments by the townspeople. Many do not believe that Atticus should defend a black person in court because, in their biased opinion, a black person is guilty before the case is brought to trial. Mr. Bob Ewell confronts Atticus after the trial at the post office corner, spits in his face and says 'Too proud to fight, you nigger-lovin' bastard?'... 'No, too old'(217). This does not bother Atticus because he knows that he is doing the right thing defending Tom properly. Atticus's children have to confront comments by family and people in their neighborhood throughout the novel. In an incident at a family gathering Francis Finch tells Scout 'Grandma says it's bad enough he lets you all run wild, but now he is turning out to be a nigger-lover... he's ruinin' the family, that's what he's doin'"(83). Scout is confused about these comments and is not sure what they mean. One evening Scout asks Atticus "What exactly is a nigger-lover?"(108). Atticus responds to Scout and explains the term to her so that her ignorance will no longer bother her. Jem is also faced with a similar situation with Mrs. Dubose. She tells Jem, "Your father is no better than the niggers and trash he works for"(102). Jem understands what Mrs. Dubose says and lashes back at her destroying her flowers. Jem and Scout also hear Aunt Alexandra and Atticus arguing one night "she won't let him alone about Tom Robinson. She almost said Atticus was disgracin' the family"(147). These comments are hard for the children and Atticus. Tom Robinson is a victim of prejudice in Maycomb because of his race. Tom is black and accused of raping a white woman. Being black in Maycomb during the nineteen thirties is difficult. During the trial Mr. Gilmer insinuates that Tom is guilty of raping Mayella Ewell because he has a previous conviction. Mr. Gilmer posed the question, 'What did the nigger look like when you got through with him?'... Atticus raised his head 'it was a misdemeanor and it's in the record'(196). By reason of Tom's inferior skin color he is judged to be a hurtful person in society. Tom Robinso...