Predjustice Essay, Research Paper

A common question asked today is what causes prejudice? Prejudiced people cause much pain and social injustice throughout the world. In the poem Prejudiced Man , by William Debolt, the poet clearly describes a prejudiced man and his behavior. The poem reads, Like a quarter moon/He looks in one direction/Among the shadows. Although this poem is short it accurately describes a prejudiced man. The beginning line Like a quarter moon describes a prejudiced person who only shows a portion of him. The portion he does reveal is the negative side of his personality. The second line of the poem suggests that a prejudiced person only acknowledges his own views. The final line of the poem describes a man who only looks at the negative side of people. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, many of the characters are victims of prejudice, or are people who cause prejudice. Two specific characters that cause prejudice are Lula, and acquaintance of Calpurnia s, and Aunt Alexandra, Scout and Jem s Aunt.

In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Lula was a woman who knew the Finches housekeeper, Calpurnia, from church. One Sunday, Calpurnia decided to take Jem and Scout to the Negro church, which she attended. The children were greeted warmly by all of the parish members, except for Lula. Lula thought that white children should not worship with black people, and should go to their own church. Lula was like a very difficult person to get along with. The church members informed Jem and Scout that Lula was such a difficult person that the priest had threatened to throw Lula out of the church if she didn t change her attitude. Although Lula wasn t a very important character with a large role in the story she is a wonderful example of a prejudiced person.

Another character in the novel that was prejudice was Aunt Alexandra. Aunt Alexandra would often complain to Atticus that he was defending a black man. Had he been defending a white man, she wouldn t have had any problem, but since Atticus client was a colored man, she was disappointed. Aunt Alexandra was very concerned about the family s last name-Finch. She though Atticus was running the family name because of his trial. Scout, Aunt Alexandra s niece was a tomboy and would usually dress is overalls. Aunt Alexandra disapproved of her clothing, and her behavior. Often complaining she wasn t a lady. Aunt Alexandra s personality also relates to William Debolt s poem, because although she emerges as a loving sister at the end of the novel, she only showed the negative side of her personality ( Like a quarter moon . ), throughout the majority of the story.

As can be seen, Aunt Alexandra and Lula are two characters that relate to William Debolt s poem Prejudiced Man . Both characters only show negative personality traits, and always believe that their views are correct. Because of characters like Lula and Aunt Alexandra, prejudice is unfortunately a large part of today s society.