Theme

One main theme through out the story is racism. This subject is talked about or shown in almost every chapter of the book. Many characters in the story are racist; many are not. Even when characters are not talking specifically about racism or being racist this subject is often shown by the town's hierarchy. This means that even people such as Calpernia, who are respected by everyone they know are still thought less of then people such as the Erwells who no one likes. Racism is a recurring theme in To kill a Mockingbird.

There are many events that show the racism in Maycomb. One event that shows the town's racism was when Calpernia takes Jem and Scout to her church. This church is a "black person's church." One woman, Lula is upset about Calpernia taking the children to "their church.(page 119)" She said, "You ain't got no business bringin' white chillun here-they got their church, we got our'n." Lula shows how the prejudice she has experienced over her lifetime has made here prejudice. Another event that brings the topic of racism out is the trial. The Erwells are so hateful and racist that they have gone to the extent of charging an innocent black man, Tom Robbinson of rape. Everything in this section of the book shows the town's racism from where colored people must sit, in the back to the adversity and unfairness of the jury.