The first prejudice that I would say unites both novels is
that against those who are intellectually challenged. Charlie with his IQ of 70 and Boo
Radley with his isolation and lack of communication are both figures of derision and
ridicule in society and are cruelly regarded by
others.
Another prejudice I would see is that regarding sex
drive and sexual activity. Tom Robinson is gauged in the novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’
as being responsible for ravaging Mayella Ewell. At the time it was considered that
black men had tremendous sexual urges. The possibility that Mayella may have been
attempting to initiate physical contact was almost impossible to conceive. Similarly,
Charlie was repressed by his mother who feared that as he was of subnormal intelligence
he may seek to abuse his ‘normal ‘sister.
A final prejudice
would be the suspicion towards change in others. When Boo Radley is trying to
communicate positively with th children through the gifts in the knot-hole, his family
are swift to prevent this dialogue. When Charlie becomes increasingly more intelligent,
his co-workers are so uncomfortable that the petition for his
dismissal.
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