Free Discussing Justice in To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Sample

The theme that is addressed in To Kill a MockingBird is racial prejudice as well as social justice. A strong principle is represented by Atticus Finch that indicates the liberal perspective which runs opposite to the white’s ignorance and prejudice. He is convinced that in order to counteract the influence by the racists, he must work hard to instill values of equality in his children. When Atticus makes the statement “Our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal,” he tries to remind the jury that the responsibility of the jurors is putting aside the prejudice and listen attentively and carefully to the evidence because Tom Robinson a deserves a fair trial as any other American.
First, Atticus clearly understands that this statement has a likelihood of falling on deaf ears. Atticus clearly understands the odds that may hinder Tom Robinson from getting a trial that is fair. The chances are slim to none but despite that he still gives 100% and gives his best as he would do with any other client. The novel develops the theme of racial prejudice. The trial of Tom Robinson is unjust, where an innocent man is condemned by the jury’s racial prejudice which is symbolized by the shooting of a mockingbird that is innocent. The mockingbird is generally used to represent victims under oppression more specifically the African-American community.
Justice in the novel is represented as an antidote to racial prejudice. It illustrates a lawyer who is liberal and tries to defend a black man who is accused wrongly. In this case, Atticus is used to represent a role model who is after moral and legal justice. He tries his best to give an explanation to Scout to indicate the fact that while he believes the American system of justice is to be without prejudice, the individuals sitting on the jury are biased, therefore, affecting the working of the whole system. Atticus holds his faith in the system throughout most part of the system but eventually loses in his legal defense of Robinson. Atticus shows a certain disillusionment as a result of the experience when at the conclusion of the book, he decides to hide the culpability of Boo in the Ewell’s killing after recognizing that Boo’s peers would stereotype him. The decision taken by Atticus in the end is based on his principles concerning justice instead of relying on the legal system which may be fallible.
The society had a rigid and time-honored code so that African-American were employed and exploited by the white people. Whites and African-Americans could not have a personal relationship. The evil assumption that existed was, “all Blacks lie; all Blacks are immoral beings.” Certainly, they could not have the advantage of the invented impartiality of the law. For instance, Reverend Sykes observes that he had never seen any jury ruling a case in favor of a colored man over a white man. On the other hand, Atticus wonders why people in their clear senses should go gabbling mad whenever anything touching on Negro affairs comes up. He refers to this emotional attitude as “Maycomb’s usual disease." Similarly, Mr. Dolphus Raymond notes that the white people have a habit of subjecting the colored folks through “hell of time.” He further wonders if they ever find some moment of reasoning to understand that the colored are also people. Essentially, Atticus expresses his concern that one of these fine days, the whites would certainly pay for the mistreatment that they have subjected colored people through.
In conclusion, we can evidently see from the novel that the justice system is full of racial prejudice. African Americans are presented as victims who are passive and accept the prejudice they experience. Atticus makes an implication that it is up to the white Americans to change the existing situation.