A Stepping Stone for Current Issues

Throughout history many authors have shared their opinions on the issues of racism and persecution. These issues require the author to communicate their views using mostly symbolism and narrative tools as opposed to simple blunt statements. Harper Lee’s ideas about discrimination are evident through her portrayal of the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird. Lee communicates that when an open mind is kept it leads to realizing the need for equality. Harper Lee wants the reader to realize that people can be advocates for one group’s rights yet persecute another’s. Lee also shows through her characters that even people of majorities can be persecuted, and the importance of standing up to discrimination. Through investigating character values of the Cunningham family, Miss Gates, Boo Radley, and Atticus, we can examine Harper Lee’s views on discrimination.

Through examining the depiction of the Cunningham family we are able to see that Harper Lee believes that through being open-minded we are able to realize the evils of racism. Early in the novel members of the Cunningham family are portrayed as decent and honest, but have racist views regarding blacks. One of the Cunninghams is even part of a mob that