Discuss the varying forms of prejudice encountered in "To Kill a Mockingbird" so far.
Prejudice is one of the main themes in the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. The novel is set in Maycomb, Alabama in 1935, a time and place when black and white people did not mix in society and black people lacked many basic rights.
In the opening chapter Scout, the narrator of the novel, describes Maycomb in detail and we see the first evidence that the "tired old town" is actually a traditional Southern town with its own forms of prejudice, in which people are stereotyped and pigeon-holed into characteristics. For example, Scout says that in Maycomb County Haverford was a "name synonymous with jackass". Other families, too, are stereotyped. The Cunninghams are "poor" and the Ewells are white trash. .
On Scout's first day at school we see that the children inherit the prejudices, and characteristics, of their parents. The new teacher in the school, the inexperienced Miss Caroline does not understand the characteristics of the children and the prejudices others have of them. Embarrassingly, she has to be told by Scout that Walter Cunningham is too poor to have lunch. Scout, too, however is prejudiced against Walter and when he is invited by Jem back to lunch with them tells Calpurnia that "He ain't company, Cal, he's just a Cunningham". Calpurnia, one of the least prejudice characters in the novel tells Scout that she is "disgracin" "em" with her attitude towards Walter. .
Back at school Miss Caroline, who is herself prejudiced against because she comes from North Alabama, a region of "peculiarities" , has to deal with Burris Ewell. Burris, and the prejudice towards him, is one example of how the question of whether prejudice can ever be justified is raised in the novel. He is a disgusting little boy, who most of the other children regard with contempt, and who has cooties (lice) and a dirt encrusted body.
