Can Prejudice in a community be repressed
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Can prejudice in a community be repressed?
In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, certain individuals in the community attempt to chasten prejudice by embracing the values and beliefs that differ from their own. When Atticus agrees to take a case defending a Negro he furthers the destruction of "Maycomb's usual disease" (88). Conversely, the majority of the town's people are annulling the bonds that connect them as a community.
By defending the Negro, Tom Robinson, Atticus takes a much-needed step towards suppressing the people of Maycomb's prejudice and helping other individuals already against it to speak out. When Jem becomes upset over the trial at Miss Maudie's house, she explains that "(Atticus is) the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that()we're making a stepit's just a baby-step, but it's a step" (216). Miss Maudie explains to Jem the significance of the jury being out a long time. She is telling Jem that because of his father, some individuals are taking steps towards restraining the prejudice that currently resides in Maycomb. Atticus shows courage by going against the beliefs of most Maycomb residents and defending a Negro. His courage spurs other just individuals into speaking their mind...