To Kill A Mockingbird Theme

I think there are two main themes in To Kill A Mockingbird. The first theme is definitely racism. The second theme is destroying of innocence. These themes are demonstrated through characters, the plot, conflicts and symbolism. These themes could be the reason the book is a classic, they all still happen today. 

Racism plays a huge roll in To Kill A Mockingbird. Racism isn't only shown throughout Tom Robinson's trial, it is show throughout the entire book. There is constant use of racial slurs and prejudice. Maycomb's disease is racism, all or most of the adults are complete racists and hypocrites. An example of racism in the book is when the people of Maycomb don't really react to Tom's death because it was, "Typical of a nigger to cut and run. Typical of a nigger's mentality to have no plan, no thought for the future, just run blind first chance he saw." This shows how people stereotyped African Americans. People still do this today. That's why this theme is so important, it is still currently happening.

Destroying of innocence is the one of the main themes in this book. It is shown through characters such as Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, Jem, Dill, Mr. Raymond, etc. They have all been hurt or destroyed by immoral behavior. This theme is everywhere in the book. Even in the title, to kill a mockingbird literally symbolizes destroying innocence. I know this because a phrase that is used in different ways throughout the book is, "It is a sin to kill a mockingbird." The book is full of foreshadowing events that relate to this theme, even the title is foreshadowing something. This is a major theme in the book.