To Kill a Mockingbird Themes and Characters

             Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird is a heartfelt tale, focusing on the lives of two children living in a small community with lots of racial prejudice, class distinction and gossip. Harper Lee chose Maycomb, a small town in Alabama, as the setting to her story at a time in the 1930s when black folks faced racism on a daily basis and were expected to respect white people in their community. There are many important themes in the story such as racial prejudice, bravery, family life, and many more.
             The main and underlying theme in the novel is that racial prejudice. Although slavery was abolished many years before, blacks were still treated as third class citizens. They remain segregated from the white population and are deprived of educational opportunities. There are many forms of racism throughout the novel. The community discriminates against Atticus for defending Tom Robinson, even his sister Aunt Alexandra. Boo Radley is also discriminated against because he doesn't go outdoors and therefore is considered to be a social outcast. Also, Scout and Jem are discriminated against because their father is defending a black man to the best of his ability.
             Another theme that plays a big part in To Kill A Mockingbird is deceptive appearances. Many of the characters in the novel are not what they truly seem to be or make themselves out to be. Most people would say Boo Radley is a reclusive mad man and Miss Dubose a mean spirited old woman. These are not fair judgements. Once we get beyond the gossip surrounding them, we get a clear view of some very brave and strong people. The children also fear what they don't know.
             Doing what your conscience says and not what other people say is also another very important aspect of the novel. Atticus says to scout (p.116) "Before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.&quo...

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