Another Lesson from the Mockingbird: Institutional Racism in Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird”

Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” is one of the most successful American novels in history.1 Set in the 1930’s; it is the story of a fictional white lawyer, Atticus Finch, who represents a falsely accused Black man, Tom Robinson. Told through the eyes of Atticus’ daughter, Scout, the book introduced readers to race relations and justice in the south. Atticus defends Tom, and at one point stands up to an angry mob looking to lynch him. As a result, Atticus has been held up as a role model for young lawyers.