Racism is mentioned throughout the second part of the novel. It is the prime and most mentioned part of this section of the novel. This message is displayed on many levels so even the lowest level reader can visibly ask oneself why this is occurring. The easiest way to observe this may be the town's actions toward Tom Robinson, the "Negro" on trial. The townspeople, for the most part, dismissed the entire trial on the basis on that it does not matter what Atticus can do, Mr. Robinson is automatically guilty. This message can also be seen in a severely symbolic manner, Tom Robinson's death. The manner in which he dies is that he escapes and attempts to climb the fence to freedom, however he only has one good arm and that is h

The town does not look down on him, the town actually feels sorry for him. Why, because the town does not know the real story, they base their feelings on unsubstantiated rumors. Rumors, no matter how false, can destroy an individual's reputation. Two different people, other than Mr. Raymond, are the subject of these rumors: Atticus and "Boo" Radley. Atticus is portrayed as a "nigger lover," something sinful in Maycomb. Something that prompts Scout to fight anyone so they will think otherwise. "Boo" Radley is the subject of much worse rumors. This calm, sweet, possibly mentally retarded person is the subject of many rumors that have destroyed his reputation. The townspeople consider him an individual who should be locked up in a mental institution, a homicidal maniac. The prime messages observed in this novel is that of racism, how the actions of a community, not just a parent, can affect a child, and how rumors and invalidated facts can destroy anyone's reputation. These messages and others help to show why this novel is considered a "classic." Not just for the story and characters, but also for the messages observed. This novel is more of a political statement than a story, displaying the evils of our society and the consequences of living in such

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Approximate Word count = 847
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)