The most important theme of the 1960 Pulitzer Prize winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird is author Harper Lee's tenacious exploration of the moral nature of people. Lee tenaciously explores the moral nature of human beings, especially the struggle in every human soul between discrimination and tolerance. The novel is very effective in not only revealing discrimination, but also in examining the nature of discrimination, how it works, and its consequences. One of the ways it accomplishes this is by dramatizing the main characters', Scout and Jem's, maturing transition from a perspective of childhood innocence. Initially, because they have never seen or experienced evil themselves, they assume that all people are good by nature and tolerant of others. It is not until they see things from a more realistic adult perspective that they are able to confront evil, as well as discrimination, and incorporate it into their understanding of the world.
             The fight to eliminate discrimination is represented through Atticus's efforts. Atticus Finch has experienced and understood evil throughout his life. He has been confronted with prejudice and racism, but has not lost his faith in the human capacity for goodness. Atticus understands from his own experiences and reflection that, rather than being simply creatures of good or creatures of evil, most people have both good and bad qualities. Lee goes on to say through Atticus that the important thing in life is to appreciate the good qualities and understand the bad qualities by treating others with sympathy and trying to see life from their perspective.
             In To Kill A Mockingbird discrimination is illustrated through the treatment of characters such as Arthur Radley, Tom Robinson and Mayella Ewell. Throughout the novel there are countless instances of societal discrimination toward these characters. Intolerance and ignorance in society is the cause of alienation. St
             ...