I believe that the theme of prejudice dominates more in To Kill a Mockingbird than in Pride and Prejudice.

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I believe that the theme of prejudice dominates more in To Kill a Mockingbird than in Pride and Prejudice

The novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is more about judging people from first impressions whist To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a story of racial prejudice, sexism and many other types of prejudice.

To Kill a Mockingbird is a story of prejudice. It was first published in 1960. Harper Lee the author plays the little girl Scout in the story. To Kill a Mockingbird is set in a small town called Maycombe in Alabama in the southern part of America. It is set in 1933-1935 but was written in the late 1950’s.

The story is about a man named Atticus Finch who is trying to push his society out of loneliness and also trying to make them recognize that black people are also humans who deserve the same rights as white people. The title of the book “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a key to some themes in the story. It is first explained in chapter 10 page 99 when Scout and Jem receive air rifles for Christmas. Atticus tells his children,  “it’s a sin To Kill a Mockingbird”. Later miss Maudie explains to the children what Atticus means: mockingbirds re harmless creatures who do nothing but sing their hearts out for us so it is very wrong to harm them.

It is easy to see that the mockingbirds in this story are two: Tom Robinson and Boo Radley. Tom Robinson was a harmless man who became a victim of racial prejudice like the mockingbird Tom had never done anything wrong to anyone even the jurors who sentenced him to death had nothing personal against him. Tom was a hard working helpful man who always put the need of others above his own. But only because of the colour of his skin was he chosen a target or racial prejudice by those too ignorant to recognize his kindness. The 35-year-old father of three would never hurt a soul. Tom was found guilty by an all white jury for a crime he didn’t commit the rape of Mayella Ewell on the night of November 21st. although the trial and death of Tom Robinson is just one of the instances of racial prejudice it is the strongest issue which exists.

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On the night of the trial people from all over Maycombe were arriving. Mayella is questioned and has no difficulty answering. Then Mr Gilmer questions Tom and asks him why he does odd jobs for Mayella without money Tom answers by saying Mr Ewell and the children are of no use to Mayella and that he felt sorry for her. Mr Gilmer then replies by saying “you felt sorry for her? You felt sorry for her?” (Chapter 19 page 218). Atticus appeals to the jury by saying “this case is as simple as black and white” (chapter 20 page ...

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