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Examples Of Prejudice In The 1930's

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Life in 1930’s was much different than it is today. Extreme racism and prejudice was everywhere. The theme prejudice is throughout Harper Lee’s to kill a mockingbird, even where you don’t expect it. Lee shows the extreme prejudice in southern states in the 1930’s, and the prejudice that is in the most innocent of people. From subtle assumptions to blatant racism Harper Lee does an excellent job showing how powerful prejudice truly is.

Harper Lee show the racism that was throughout the southern states in the 1930’s. On pg 158 Aunt Alexandra says ”don’t talk that in front of them”. In this subtle quote a huge topic is hiding. Aunt Alexandra refers to black people as “them”, and you should talk to them differently. She uses the theme of prejudice to bring depth to certain characters like Aunt …show more content…

On pg 19 we see a Miss.Caroline Fisher who is a new teacher in Maycomb, and is clueless to how stuff works around there. She is perplexed when Walter cunningham won't take her quarter to buy lunch. Scout rises up and tells Mrs.Caroline Fisher pg 20 “Miss Caroline, he’s a Cunningham”, as if he is a different species. Harper Lee does a great job showing how the innocent word of a kid may not sound prejudice to them, simply because they have grown up and been raised around this idea or thought. Harper lee does an excellent job showing how prejudice can be hidden in everyone. Later in the book Atticus show how the town judges the Cunninghams and especially Mr.Cunningham for being lazy and having no work ethic, but they couldn’t be anymore wrong. Atticus is explaining how Mr.Cunningham is paying him back for work he’s done for him in the past. pg 21 “I found a load of stovewood... Later, a sack of hickory nuts...With Christmas came a crate of smilax and holly...a crokersack full of turnip greens” We see how hard Mr.Cunningham works to repay Atticus the best he possibly

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