In my opinion, Lee presents the ideas that everyone is
susceptible to prejudice as both offenders and victims.
Lee
exposes the town of Maycomb as just as prejudiced as Hitler when she positions Scout to
report on the ways of Mrs. Gates. Mrs. Gates expresses that Hitler was such a bad man
because he didn't want to give the people a say. He was a dictator. What goes on in
Scout's mind is that the town of Maycomb is doing the same thing to black people. This
is a moment of revelation to Scout.
Furthermore, Lee uses
the towns judgments of the Ewell family, Boo Radley and Tom Robinson to demonstrate that
it doesn't matter if you are rich or poor (I think the Radley's must have been well-off
at some point) or black or white. People just might hate you for being who you are. That
is inappropriate of us to do and we should remember this story for that
reason.
In terms of effects... look at what the ultimate
results were for each of the characters I mentioned. Tom ended up dead. Boo ended up a
hermit because he was first scared to come out because of his father's feelings about
reputation. Later, I think he remained inside as Jem said, "Because he wanted to."
Mayella would have loved to be in a better situation... that's why she grew her red
geraniums of hope.
There is a great quote worth digging for
in reference to this question. It's says something to the effect that there are all
kinds of people in this world who don't agree with each other. Scout says she thinks
there are just one kind of folks. Folks.
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