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How does Harper Lee portray the struggle against fear and hatred in the community of Maycomb?

Harper Lees novel, To Kill a Mockingbird is contextualised during a period where fear and hatred born from
misconceptions is prominent in society, and it presents how various individuals and groups try to overcome
these adversaries. Lee demonstrates the struggle against fear and hatred by the means of characterisation and
exposing the conflict and suffering that arises in the community of Maycomb because of social prejudice. She
illustrates the detrimental effects of fear and hatred through certain characters and explores that a community
without fear and hatred and with an understanding of one another is exempt from problems. Furthermore, she
reveals that fear and hatred is the cause of vilification of innocent people, like the enigmatic figure of Boo
Radley.
Harper Lee uses characterization and context to establish an environment of fear and hatred. She imbues
certain characters, such as Bob Ewell with overly racist and prejudicial qualities and contextualises it during the
Great Depression, when there was extensive discrimination in the community. This hostile environment in
Maycomb is shown through the quote, In Maycomb, grown men stood outside in the front yard for only two
reasons: death and politics. With the use of a succinct and matter of fact tone, it shows that, in Maycomb,
people are very one minded, have a mob mentality and are violent. The extensive discrimination and the racial
segregation in 1930s Maycomb is also revealed by the quote, There are good people Scout, and then there
are Negroes. Don't end up on the wrong side of that equation. The polarising tone and juxtaposition in the
quote portrays how African Americans are perceived to be immoral and bad people. Subsequently, with these
misconceptions, there are significant injustices and inequality among the community, As you grow older, you'll
see white men cheat black men every day of your life. This hyperbole illustrates the helplessness of the
African Americans and demonstrates that in actuality, it is white men who are immoral, not African Americans.
Ultimately, Maycomb is a hostile and prejudicial town, where fear and hatred are prevalent within the
community resulting in detrimental effects.
The novel, through Scout and Jems learning to understand people and overcoming problems, demonstrates
the struggles related to having a lack of appreciation of certain groups or individuals. Their childhood innocence
and faith in humanity is threatened by numerous incidents that expose the evil side of human nature. However,
Atticus was able to teach Scout and Jem to gain empathy and understand the discrimination of African
Americans. Atticus Finch responds to racial prejudice in a passive and controlled manner. The way he acts
strictly juxtaposes the violent actions of other characters and the societal context. As shown in the quote You
never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view. With the use of an
introspective tone and juxtaposition we see Atticuss attitude towards prejudice and the need to open minded.
The innocence of those who are targeted by violence is portrayed through the metaphor and recurring motif
within the book, Remember its a sin to kill a mockingbird. Mockingbirds dont do one thing but make music for
us to enjoy. In the context of the novel, the symbol of the Mockingbird refers to those who are subject to racial
prejudice and discrimination, such as Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. It also refers to how Atticus is advocating
and attempting to bring about the idea of equality in Maycomb. He also shows that fear and hatred leads to
violence with reference to a gun as a symbol, "I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the
idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. As apparent, Atticus shows that when everyone is treated
the same, fear and hatred is overcome and there is no hostility.
Lee establishes the struggle against fear and hatred by comparing the common misconceptions of Boo Radley
in society with his true nature at the end of the text. We see that Boo becomes victim of social prejudice as the
rumours culminate as a sociopath and monster, when in fact he has a kind and gentle nature. He receives
discriminatory treatment and segregation, as shown in the quote "Well how'd you feel if you'd been shut up for
a hundred years with nothin' but cats to eat?" The use of colloquial language, hyperbole and a metaphor shows
that discrimination extends to other people, including those who have been abused. Ultimately, we see the
many injustices occurring just because people have been badly misunderstood and resulted in fear and hatred.
In conclusion, Harper Lees novel To Kill a Mockingbird demonstrates the struggle against a context of
inequality, discrimination and injustice. She embodies the struggle against fear and hatred in certain characters,
such as Atticus Finch, who exerts passive qualities and has a demeanor that juxtaposes the societal context.
She demonstrates that to truly have social cohesion amongst the community there must be an understanding
of one another.

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