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Nathan Bowman
Ms. Mccreary
Dec. 5, 2014

The Fight Against Racism in To Kill a Mockingbird

Throughout her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper lee uses a combination of
characters, situations and symbolism to express her attitude against racism. Her protagonist,
Atticus Finch, represents the ideal attitude towards racism and prejudice, the account of events at
the court room carries strong messages about how blacks were treated and Miss Maudies
attitude towards the nut grass that grows in her yard acts as a call to action towards the readers.
Harper Lee protagonist is Atticus Finch. Atticus does not support racism, prejudice and
discrimination. He has broken stereotypes by becoming a lawyer and holds his own principals
and values above the consequences of society. Atticus represents the ideal attitude towards
racism, which is obvious in three areas. First of all, Atticus doesnt jump to conclusions about
Tom Robinson because he is black. Although the common belief is that black people are all evil
and have a desire to harm, Atticus teaches his children that black people are capable of evil, but
no more so than white people. He sees people as people, not as black and white. Second of all,
when assigned the case of Tom Robinson, Atticus commits himself to trying just as hard to
achieve Toms freedom as he would a white mans. This is shocking to many citizens of
Maycomb because they are so sure Tom is guilty because of his skin color. It is expected that
Atticus might throw the case in favor of the white side of the argument. However, Atticus
presents a case that convinces the readers of Toms innocence, trying as hard as he can. He does
not change the amount of effort he gives based on the skin color of his clients. Atticus tells
Scout, "Scout, nigger-lover is just one of those terms that don't mean anythinglike snot-nose.

It's hard to explainignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody's favoring Negroes
over and above themselves. It's slipped into usage with some people like ourselves, when they
want a common, ugly term to label somebody."
"You aren't really a nigger-lover, then, are you?", replies Scout.
"I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody, says Atticus.
Lastly, aside from remaining unbiased, when Atticus gets word that harm may come to Tom
Robinson in the jail cell, Atticus goes out of his way to see that Tom Robinson is kept safe, even
though it means standing between Tom and an angry mob. He is not the type of person who
doesnt believe in racism but watches it happen, he takes action against it. These reasons make it
very obvious that Atticus Finch has the attitude towards racism and prejudice that she wants us
all to strive towards, remaining un-biased, treating each other equally and not just sitting back,
but taking action against the problem.
As well, Harper Lees account of the events that take place in the court room makes it
impossible to ignore the corruption and unfairness towards black people that occurs there. Three
main events in the courtroom make this obvious to readers. First of all, when the citizens of
Maycomb are all seated in the court house, Jem, who is sitting in the balcony with reverend
Sykes, expresses faith in his father to win the case. The reverend replies that he, aint never seen
any jury decide in favor of a white man over a colored man, information that is presented in
fact. It is shocking to the reader that a colored man is so sure of the fact that Tom Robinson will
lose, even though the evidence presented is very convincing in his favor. Secondly, we read that
the white people have the floor seats reserved for them, and only once they are all seated may the
colored people move up to the colored balcony. Even though this case is really important to the

colored community as a whole, the whites are given the best seats right away. The discrimination
and unfairness is impossible to miss. Lastly, even after Atticus presents the most convincing
collection of evidence, reverend Sykes is proven right. The jury unanimously decides that Tom is
guilty. It causes Jem to shed tears, the only time that happens throughout the book. This shows
just how hard it was to believe that Tom was guilty. Everyone was convinced, yet the jury
thought skin color over evidence. These events in the court room, reverend Sykes comments,
the segregated seating and the final verdict all put the reality of the courtroom into perspective. It
is said to be a place where every man and woman is treated equal, but this scene shows that
nothing could be farther from the truth, a tool Harper Lee uses to raise awareness towards the
issue.
A final element of the story that Harper Lee uses as a call to action is Miss Maudies
attitude towards the nut grass that sometimes sprouts in her yard. She hates the stuff and goes
through extensive procedures to get rid of it, just as Harper Lee is suggesting that racism must be
hastily uprooted. First of all, when questioned on why she does what she does, Miss Maudie
expresses the opinion that, "Why, one sprig of nut grass can ruin a whole yard. Look here. When
it comes fall this dries up and the wind blows it all over Maycomb Country! This parallels
Harper Lees belief that that racism in just one spot can spread untill a whole region is full of it.
It must be controlled. Secondly, as soon as Miss Maudie sees the nut grass, she destroys it
instantly. This represents Harper lees opinion that taking action against racism cannot be
postponed, it must happen immediately. The last connection Harper Lee makes between the nut
grass and racism is the fact that Miss Maudie insists that just pulling up the nut grass is not
enough, it must be gassed so that it will never grow back. This represents the way that racism
cannot be dealt with just when big things happen, it must be dealt with at the root of the problem.

Attitudes must be changed, not just actions. Harper Lee uses these things about the nut grass, that
it can contaminate other areas, that it must be destroyed and that it has to be killed at the root to
express a call to action. She is sending the message that it is our responsibility to treat racism the
same way Miss Maudie treats her nut grass.
Harper Lee does a magnificent job of using her characters, situations and symbolism to
express that racism is wrong. We can strive to be like Attticus Finch, we can observe and destroy
racism in government buildings and we can battle racism where ever it sprouts. Harper Lee calls
us to these goals. Although black people are treated as equals today, racism still exists in our
world. Who will stand and fight it if not us?

Lee, Harper. To Kill A Mockingbird: Grand Central Publishing: New York, 1960.