Examples Of Injustice In To Kill A Mockingbird

Benson Weaver

Mrs. Rollins

English 9-2

30 March 2023

Justice vs. Injustice In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, a little girl, Jean Louise (Scout) Finch, grows up in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama during the great depression. Scout has an older brother, Jem, who she often plays with. They have a friend, Dill, who comes to Maycomb in the summertime. One thing that always entertained and frightened them was the “Rain-rotted,” (9) Radley house, an uninviting house with, “closed doors,” (10) down the street from the Finch’s house, and one of its occupants Boo Radley and the mystery surrounding him, as he was never seen but had many stories circulating about him. The main conflict comes when Scout’s Father, Atticus, who is a lawyer, defends Tom Robinson, a black man, who is accused of rape by a white girl,

Despite no hard evidence again him, only witnesses as any sort of evidence, he was found guilty. Throughout the book, Harper Lee develops the theme of justice vs injustice using diction in the court case, symbolism through Boo Radley, and irony. The courtroom is supposed to be, “the great levelers,” (233) and where “all men are created equal,” (233) however the jury, “couldn’t be fair if they tried.”(251) Atticus is defending Tom Robinson and fighting for justice. Lee shows this fight for justice against injustice using diction in the court case. The prosecutor several times refers to Tom Robinson as “boy,” (223) a term that is meant to be condescending and demeaning. This shows prejudice that leads to injustices in the courtroom. Furthermore, Lee uses derogatory terms to show how deeply ingrained racism is in the town and how it affects the way people are treated. In contrast, Atticus's language is often more measured and respectful. He speaks with a quiet authority, using words that convey his belief in the importance of showing respect, and being just. For example, when questioning witnesses, instead of