Harper Lee's novel 'To kill a Mocking bird' revolves around Maycomb a typical rural town of the American South. The story is set in the 1930s a period when racism and prejudice are commonly encountered in everyday life. The novel follows the conviction of an apparently innocent Black man sentenced almost entirely due to his race. It is through this man's trail we see how harsh Maycomb society is on minorities. During the trial scenes we learn a lot about people's views and beliefs on other people and the strict codes by which people have to live.

We learn the most about Maycomb Society through the trial. Town trials were big social events in the 1930s. The trial is described as a 'Gala occasion' and many people acted as if they were attending a 'Carnival', rather than to see a man on trial for his life. The town's reaction to what is happening tells us a lot about people's ideology and the general time frame. We learn more about the mutual hatred between African Americans and 'whites' in a legal sense. Groups like the 'Idler's club' and the Mennonites enjoyed seeing a Black man's freedom taken

Bob and Mayella Ewell portray the 'white trash' of Maycomb. Knowing the low esteem associated with the name 'Ewell' they strive to control people and maintain the status of untouchables. The Ewell's do not go to school, do not accept charity, and do not recognise African-Americans as real human beings. To accentuate his status Bob Ewell dehumanises the African-American, calling them 'niggers' and treating them like animals. The trial becomes a stage for another one of the Ewell's games, a game for the whole town to witness. The actions of this lead to dyer consequences. The Ewells answer to no one and remain immune to the results of such actions.

Harper Lee uses Atticus and his relationship with his children to integrate the themes

A different type of prejudice shown in the novel is class prejudice. It is unconsciously shown by Scout as well as a few of her compatriots on her first day at school. They attributed certain qualities to each family in Maycomb and expected these traits to be hereditary. For example the reason which Scout gave as to why Walter refused the quarter which Miss. Fisher offered was because 'he is a Cunningham' and the reason why Burris was so dirty and impudent was, as far as the children were concerned, was because 'he is one of the Ewell's'. This shows the complacent way in which class prejudice is treated within Maycomb, in Maycomb it is just taken for granted, no questions asked. In fact the children, in stating these characteristics of the Cunninghams and the Ewells did not even realise that they were being prejudiced, they had just been brought up that way. Later, when Jem invited Walter to teal Scout criticised his table manners. Calpurnia and Atticus were angry with Scout by saying that Walter was 'company' and could eat whatever he wanted. When Scout retaliated by saying that Walter wad not 'company' that he was just a 'Cunningham', Calpurnia did not let that serve as an excuse for humiliating him. In this way Calpurnia tried to stop Scout gaining the class prejudice of Maycomb and to treat all people equally. When Scout innocently wanted to befriend Walter Cunningham, a farmer's boy, Aunt Alexandra responded saying 'Finch women aren't interested in that sort of people'.

Atticus demonstrates great bravery in defending Tom Robinson. Much of the White community turns against him and even take out their rage on his children. Children like Cecil Jacobs and Francis both tease Scout about her father being a 'nigger lover'. Aunt Alexandra

Harper Lees novel portrays themes which are as relevant today as they were at the time of its setting. Some children are influenced by society, but the innocence of some children prove vital in areas of the novel. An awful lot about Maycomb Society is learnt through the trial, and experience, which the whole community seems to share. The traits, which the trial reveals about Maycomb Society, are generally evident elsewhere in the book. For example these include racism, prejudice, gender bias, class system, narrow and strict codes of behaviour and gossip. Throughout the story 'To kill a Mockingbird, people were placed in symbolic and actual prisons. The important thing is that these people conquered and broke-free from their own imprisonment. The same challenges and follies that were present in the novel are also present in our communities; by reading 'To kill a mocking bird' we can learn from the characters lives and possibly gain insight to our own.

Dolphus Raymond is also viewed, as an outsider who is rejected by Maycomb society; because he is a White man yet prefers to live with Negroes. He has a reputation of being a drunkard, but this is just a pretence. Mr. Raymond is actually a very sensitive man who loathes society and hates the 'hell white people give coloured folks, without even stopping to thing that they're people to'. Dolphus, unlike Atticus does not have the courage to admit his preference of Negroes. So, he presents himself as a drinker

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Approximate Word count = 3145
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page double spaced)