bEnglish Essay Question 1
“Prejudice, racism and stereotyping…forces us to examine the responsibilities of citizenship and confront the powerful ramifications of indifference and inaction”- Tim Holden
Introduction:
Using the themes of racism, prejudice and stereotypes forces us to examine the responsibilities of citizenship and confront the powerful ramification of the indifference and inaction which are depicted throughout Mississippi Burning and “To Kill a Mocking Bird”. In the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, and in the movie Mississippi Burning it can draw out the statement “Prejudice and racism blind people from the truth. In the novel and the film three major themes are portrayed as racism with emphasis on segregation throughout the population of Mississippi and Maycomb county, prejudice with the depiction of constant demeaning towards black and their Associates and Sexism through consistent belittling of women’s role of society. These key themes are portrayed through the two mediums to help us to examine the responsibilities and ramifications of the indifference and inactions.
Racism is one of the strongest points portrayed throughout both mediums. Segregation is depicted very strongly. The opening scene of film shows a white water fountain and a coloured fountain. This opening scene shows how far whites go to be apart from the coloured. There are two similar scenes in both mediums where the courtroom is filled with both races and the lawyer of the coloured folk leaves before the coloured do with the crowd upstairs standing up as there lawyer leaves. The segregation is very key here as it shows how coloured and white people aren’t even at the same level in the courtroom a place of justice and equal rights. Francis: "If Uncle Atticus lets you run around with stray dogs, that's his own business, like Grandma says, so it ain't your fault. I guess it ain't your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I'm here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family-", This shows how the power racism is stronger than family bonds and is key aspect in how olden day society was prejudice against coloured. Deputy Sheriff: “it’s funny. Their kids are so cute”, this continues with the theme of family and even that they have hate towards an innocent child who has done nothing. Racism forces us to examine the responsibilities of citizenship and confront the powerful ramifications of indifference and inaction.

Prejudice is a learnt trait, you are not born prejudice. Prejudice is the key theme throughout both mediums. “’Come on round here, son, I got something that’ll settle your stomach.’ As Mr. Dolphus Raymond was an