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Examples Of Ignorance In To Kill A Mockingbird

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“Ignorance, Prejudice, and Innocence” “I was born good but had grown progressively worse every year” (Lee 83). Author Harper Lee continues with this idea, spoken by Scout Finch, in Chapter 17 of her book To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout Finch, age six, is stripped of her innocence in a mid-20th century Alabama courtroom. On trial is a black man accused of rapping a young white woman. Scout’s father, a lawyer, is unaware of her presence during the interrogations and cross-examinations. When the father of the supposed victim is cross-examined, his vulgar replies arouse the courtroom. Scout describes, “...Mr. Heck Tate as the first officer of the county stood in the middle aisle quelling the packed courtroom” (Lee 231). In this passage, the literary elements diction, imagery, and tone, develop the theme that innocence is a mirror shattered by ignorance and prejudice. …show more content…

This scene is where the Tom Robinson case is in the courtroom. Mr. Gilmer asks Mr. Ewell about what he believed happened to his daughter. Of course Ewell is aware of the families and children in the courtroom that afternoon, but he allows his ignorance to get ahead of him. Bob Ewell’s diction is meant to cause harm and is meant to deceive. “...I run into th’ fence, but when I got distangled I run up to th’ window and I seen---” ; “I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella” (Lee 231). Not only do we see his word choice stir the courtroom but we notice it harms Scout. Scout becomes more matured and less innocent by hearing these words. Even though she may not be able to understand all of it at the moment, she eventually is able to see the prejudice in that

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