This document summarizes themes of racism presented in the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird". It discusses how racism is shown through the segregation of white and black churches and schools. An example of hatred towards whites is shown when Calpurnia tries to bring Jem and Scout to her black church. It also discusses how racism influenced the unjust conviction of Tom Robinson, a black man, for a crime he did not commit. The document argues racism can influence people to act in uncontrolled ways and pass racist beliefs onto future generations, but Atticus opposes this tradition of racism.

1. Theme|TO KILL A
MOCKINGBIRD
BY :
NOR ILLYANA AHMAD NAZRI

2.  One of the theme that I find and clearly shown in
this novel is racism. Throughout the novel, Scouts
and Jem explore the differences between white
people and black people. Although Maycomb
citizens share the same beliefs in religion, because
of the racism, they cannot even be in the same
place as whites think they are superior that the
blacks. They even have the different church to
pray. The different standard that obviously can be
seen will slowly inculcate hatred in both of
societies.

3.  For example, when Calpurnia allows Jem and Scouts to
follow her to the church, both of them were really
excited. However, on their way to enter the
church, Lula comes to stop them and say “You ain’t got
no business to bringin’ white chillun here – they got
their church, we got our’n. it is our church, ain’t it Miss
Cal? ”. Lula really shows her hatred towards whites by
forbidding Atticus’s children to enter the church.
Besides, Aunt Alexandra also shows her hatred towards
blacks by asking Atticus to fire Calpurnia as she says
Calpurnia brings bad influences to the children even
though she knows that Calpurnia has looked after and
serves the family for a long time.

4.  One of the evidence that racism obviously can be seen is
when Tom Robinson is convicted because he is a black
man and his accuser is a white. The evidence that
Atticus has provided is more than enough to save Tom’s
life from being jailed but the jury’s decision which is
influenced by racism turns Tom to become guilty.
When Tom tries to escape from the jail, he has been
shot for 17 bullets. According to Atticus “They did’nt
have to shoot him that much”. His statement shows
that, only two or three bullets are more than enough to
kill Tom Robinson but they shoot him about 17 bullets.
From my insight, the racism makes the janitor shoot
him that much. When the hatred conquers in ourselves,
we are unable to control our behaviour and we tend to
do things out of control.

5.  In addition, there is also racism within the white
society in Maycomb itself. Families in Maycomb
are being classified into social hierarchy as Finch
family is on the top of the hierarchy as they are
educated and quite rich, follows by Cunningham
family which is farmers and poor, and the Ewells
family who is the poorest and live in the dumpsite.
Even though all of them are being racist towards
blacks, out of realise they are also being racist
among themselves.

6.  I believe, the innocent Maycomb kids, when they
become adult will follow this tradition and become
racist if someone did not stop it.
Fortunately, Atticus has become the one who
oppose the racism by deciding to defend Tom
Robinson in the trial. Although his deed is outside
the norm and culture of Maycomb people, they will
remember him and maybe started to change the
mentality of racist.


7.  In a conclusion, the writer has point out racism
theme to make the readers think the effect and the
consequences of it. Through the events in this
novel, I learn that no matter the differences and
peculiarities in the people, the people of the world
are still the same. No one is lesser or better than
anyone else because they are all people. I also
realize that once I get to know a person, he is good
and kind no matter what they seem like on the
outside.
