Abstract
“Go Set a Mockingbird” investigates the parallels between the fictional world of Harper Lee’s work and the real world in order to shed light on the persistence of racism in our nation. My research explores the racist implications embedded in Lee’s classic work, To Kill a Mockingbird, especially in light of the publication of her newest novel, Go Set a Watchman. By looking at the two in tandem, it becomes clear how little society has changed from one era to the next. Furthermore, I argue that Jean-Louise’s ideological development over the course of both novels shows the extent that racism persists not only on a personal level, but a larger one; it opens the door for discussion on the societal causes of racism, namely, language, racial stereotypes, and education. This fictional example illustrates that by drawing attention to the ways in which racism manifests itself, our society will collectively be better equipped to see it, to stop it when it occurs, and perhaps to prevent it from happening at all.
Recommended Citation
Cicero, Julia. "“Go Set a Mockingbird” – What Lee’s Novels Teach Us About Race." (Jan 2018).