How Two Characters Are Victims Of Maycomb Society In Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Examples

In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mocking Bird, the society is heavily influenced by racism and white supremacy mindsets. As a result, several of the key characters are victimized by the other members of the community as well as the society at large. Two such characters are Tom Robinson, a black slave, and Atticus Finch, the man who employs him.
Tom Robinson is a humble black man accused of beating and raping Mayella. His left arm is crippled from an accident at the farm which happened when he was young, this made it physical impossible to beat Mayella because the attacker used their left arm. He is married, has children, very friendly and approachable. Should Tom have been fair skinned, he would have probably been quite liked by the people of the community. However, despite being a good man, he knows that he will be punished for a crime he did not commit and resigns himself to this fact, accepting his fate. Atticus Finch, although belonging to the white community, defends Tom Robinson, a subjugated black who stands of raping a white woman. Through his actions, Finch promotes equality and liberty, having a simple purpose of having justice served, regardless of race. However, he is opposed by the accusers; Mayella and her father Bob Ewell, while other members of the white community term him a "nigger-lover". "Your father's no better than the niggers and trash he works for" says Mrs. Dubose, showing that Finch’s attempt to break the cycle of racism is seen in poor light and he, too, is considered to be lowly.
These instances of specific targeting of Robinson and Finch reveals how they became victims of racism, although both were good human beings of ethical and moral strength. However, society chose to discriminate against them regardless of their virtue.