responsible for his strict upbringing by his family, which disallows him from having any
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social contact with anybody. Thus, Boo is a victim of injustice because of the unfair comments society says about him. Moreover, the three young innocent children: Jem, Scout and Dill have an unjust perception of Boo and think of him as “…Six-and-a-feet tall, he dined on squirrels…”(Lee 13). However, they do not know if this is true, and that is why they want to witness how he looks like, “‘Let’s try to make him come out,”’ said Dill. “‘I’d like to see what he looks like.”’ In this quote, Dill a newcomer to the town, hears stories about Boo from Jem and Scout. Jem and Scout have also never seen Boo and want to see how Boo looks like, but are too scared, because of the town’s ridiculous description of Boo. These three children truly want to see Boo for who he really is, to see past the rumours and past the unjust comments the town makes about him. Only the children can attempt to see Boo’s real self because of how innocent they are, unlike the adults who are very narrow-minded and shallow. As a result, injustice is seen when Maycomb County make false assumptions about Boo.
Secondly, Bob Ewell and Mrs. Dubose harass Atticus Finch in an unjust manner for deciding to defend Tom Robinson. Atticus is a kind, peaceful and helpful lawyer who lives in Maycomb County. Bob Ewell is an abusive and an alcoholic who does not appreciate Atticus’ good nature. Since Atticus decides to defend Tom, Bob Ewell does something very disrespectful and unjust:
‘I wish Bob Ewell wouldn’t chew tobacco.’ According to Miss
Stephanie Crawford, however, Atticus was leaving the post
office when Mr. Ewell approached him , cursed him, spat on
him, and threatened to kill him…Atticus didn’t bat an eye…’Too
proud to fight you nigger-lovin’ bastard?’(Lee 217)
This quote demonstrates the unjust act Bob Ewell does to Atticus. Even though Atticus loses
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the trial, Bob Ewell has the nerve to go up to Atticus and perform a very inhumane act. Atticus portrays patience when taking this uncalled hit from Bob. Atticus knows that if he did
retaliate, than he would sink down to Mr. Ewell’s level. Without fighting Mr. Ewell, Atticus proves that he is the better man. Atticus, or anyone for that matter, does notdeserve to get spit on or cursed at for helping someone in need. It shows how selfish and how low class Bob Ewell is. Thus, Bob Ewell is unjustly attacking Atticus for defending Tom Robinson’s case. Similarly, Mrs. Dubose unjustly victimizes Atticus for helping a black man. Mrs. Dubose, a very old, mean and exhausted lady in Maycomb whom is hated by Atticus’ children get the full impact of the unjust comment she says to the children about Atticus, “ Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for”(Lee 102). The negative comment that Mrs. Dubose makes is very unfair and it shows how shallow people can be. Atticus is only doing his duty as a lawyer to defend Tom and Mrs. Dubose is terrorizing Atticus for helping him. It is one thing for Mrs. Dubose to say these hateful comments in front of Atticus’ face, but to say it to Atticus’ innocent children is very inappropriate. Atticus’ children – Jem and Scout, are angry about Mrs. Dubose horrible comments about Atticus. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but to voice one’s opinion as an insult towards others is wrong and unreasonable. Hence, Atticus receives unjust comments from Mrs. Dubose for deciding to go through with Tom’s case.
Lastly, Tom Robinson is a victim of injustice in Harper Lee’s novel because he is a black man living in a racist town. Tom Robinson is convicted of raping a white lady by the name of Mayella Ewell. He is unjustly charged with her rape and at the end of the trial is finishes Atticus says this to the confused Jem, “‘In our courts when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s word the white man always wins”’ (Lee 220). This quote proves how
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most Caucasian people in Maycomb are racist and unjust toward all black people in general. The trial between Tom Robinson and Mayella Ewell is very unfair for the fact that Tom easily contradicts all of what Mayella says he did. She says, “That nigger yonder took advantage of me…”(Lee 188). The trial is a big joke since it was basically Tom’s word
against Mayella’s word. One piece of evidence against Mayella is that she was hurt on the right side of her face, and only a person who punches with the left hand can do this. It is soon proven that Tom has a cripple left harm; he cannot use it and it would seem sensible that he did not hit Mayella. This establishes that Mayella is lying. With this false piece of evidence in the hands of the jury, it should have been accounted for, but of course it was not because Tom is black. Thus, the jury just shrugs off the evidence and Tom is wrongly found guilty. Moreover, when Tom was found guilty he went to prison. One day he tried to escape from prison, but the guards shot him and killed him. When the prejudiced people of Maycomb heard about Tom’s death, this is what they thought,“ To Maycomb Tom’s death was typical. Typical of a nigger to cut and run. Typical of a nigger’s mentality to have no plan, no thought for the future, just blindly run the first chance they saw” (Lee 240). When news of Tom’s death reached Atticus and Tom’s loved ones they were very poignant. Atticus thought that Tom could have still had a chance to appeal the jury’s decision, however, Tom felt he had no hope left. Tom did not believe in the justice system, or actually the white system, because he knew he would lose because of the colour of his skin. That is why he tried to escape from prison, and to take matters in his own hands. When Tom’s death reached all of Maycomb, most citizens did not care because it was a black man who died. It is very unfair that the Maycomb County could say that every black man has no plans for the future or no care for responsibility or family. It is obvious that not every black man is the same, just like not every
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white man is the same. Accordingly, this proves how unjustly Tom was treated and how Maycomb citizens viewed him and judged him because he was dark skinned. Tom is still a
human being, but the white people of Maycomb think of him as some kind of animal or scum of society.
Therefore, in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Boo Radley, Atticus Finch, and Tom Robinson all experience injustice. Boo Radley is isolated from society because of the unjust way the prejudice town treats him. Also, Atticus is unjustly beleaguered for helping a black male. As well, Tom Robinson is a victim of injustice because of the colour of his skin. Injustice can be defeated if great minds come together as one to help recognize that everyone is equal whatever their social status, back round, religion, race, sex, and age.
Bibliography
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1960.
