Introduction
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird was written in the second half of the 20th century and has become one of the cult works of American classics. The author moved the action in the 30s of the 20th century to the provincial area of the country. At the same time, Harper Lee touches on many of the problems of American society that are relevant to this day and form a nation. First of all, this is due to the times of the Great Depression that the heroes are experiencing and its subsequent impact on the American community. Moreover, Harper Lee widely and fully reveals the problem of the struggle for the rights of blacks, which is still acute in the US society. In addition, the author reveals the difficulties that a recluse who is different from everyone else may face in a circle of Americans who consider themselves better people. Thus, these three main themes form the American identity in the novel as a nation that fights for its rights and does not judge others.
American Identity in To Kill a Mockingbird by Lee
When mentioning the national identity and the strength of the people, it is worth remembering the Great Depression, which determined the life of many generations. Harper Lee describes this event by settling the characters in the fictional city of Maycomb and reflecting poverty on all its inhabitants. At first, it seems that the Finches live better than others, and on the one hand, they are. However, when Scout asks his father if their family is poor, he no doubt confirms it (Lee 27). The family subsists on the small available funds from Atticus’ work as a lawyer.
Moreover, the period in the novel describes not only the years of the Great Depression, but the author tries to reveal a longer time that affected all the inhabitants of the country. Through the words of Scout, Harper Lee describes the poor atmosphere of the South, in particular the fictional city where the family lives. Despite the fact that by the time the novel was written, the Great Depression had long ended, its echoes influenced society. The picture of the city seems to Scout tired, old and very suffocating.
However, such a representation is appropriate not only for the city itself, but for the American identity of all time. In the city itself, there is a strict class division between Atticus’s family and their ilk, who live close to the center, and those who live in dilapidated huts beyond (Lee 13). A similar stratification persists in modern society, where some people live in the center of large cities or in rich suburbs, while others are forced to survive in poor neighborhoods.
Further, Maycomb’s poor shacks are not only inhabited by poor white people, but they are completely inhabited by black people, which indicates racial discrimination. This is another large layer that remains relevant in modern American society and allows people to realize themselves as members of the nation. By the time the novel was written, slavery in the United States had been officially abolished. However, African Americans felt social, legislative and economic oppression. Such sharp discrimination was shown by Harper Lee in a small society where the attitude of the white population towards the dark-skinned people stood out sharply.
The American identity towards tolerant relationships is most clearly seen in Atticus’s attitude towards Afro-American people. In the second half of the 20th century, the trend of the American community towards more tolerant behavior towards other peoples and races. Atticus takes on the defense of a black man who has been falsely accused of raping a local white woman (Lee 46). Despite her assurances that this crime did not happen, and she liked the man, the girl’s family decided everything for her. In most cases, black men accused of raping white women were sent to death.
This attitude towards another race is an integral part of American society, and allows one to better understand the nation. Despite the abolition of slavery and the complete humiliation of African Americans, they remained socially and economically the poorest segment of the population. They had no rights, and it was shameful to defend them. Harper Lee reveals this through a criminal trial where Atticus chooses to protect the Black and faces the hatred of the city’s residents (Lee 58). Due to this, Harper Lee’s book is relevant for modern society. At present, people have learned to be tolerant of all races and genders, however, the novel shows well what kind of inhuman attitude discrimination leads to people.
However, it is not only issues of race that identify the American community in the book, but issues of gender and class among the people. The author reveals a more sacred problem of society, which lies in the fact that people experience a large number of prejudices in matters of class and race, which increases segregation. At the same time, Atticus raises his children in a different way than generations in Maycomb are used to growing up. This marks the arrival of those people who will treat others with respect. Thus, this allows us to better understand the Americans as a nation that has gone from discrimination based on race, gender and class to a society where everyone is treated with tolerance.
The third topic is relevant at the present time and allows you to better understand Americans and feel like a nation, the topic of attitudes towards people who are different from everyone else. All residents are frightened by their neighbor, Boo, who has not been seen for a long time, but is still afraid of him (Lee 32). There are many horror stories about him, and the whole city is used to hating and fearing him. However, Atticus teaches the Scout about love and understanding, and a more forgiving attitude towards those with mental problems. In modern society, people with psychological problems receive much more understanding and tolerance than they used to. Harper Lee fully reveals the identity of modern Americans as a society that helps people with mental problems. The neighbor is shown to be kind and caring, eventually saving Boo, despite all the incredible stories and rumors that the residents pass on to each other.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be said that the author reveals American identity through racial, class and mental segregation among the population. Harper Lee shows the injustice that prevailed in US society in the first half of the 20th century and the tendency to change for the better. Thus, Atticus and his daughter become the prototypes of the identity that is most fully torn apart in modern society. This allows people to realize themselves as a nation tolerant of all people and devoid of discrimination.
Work Cited
Lee, Harper. To kill a mockingbird. Random House, 2010.