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To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

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In To Kill a Mockingbird, what are some examples in which fear and racism overpowered reason and intelligence?

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BOB EWELL'S ACCUSATION.  The most obvious example comes when Bob Ewell accuses Tom Robinson of raping his daughter, Mayella. Bob's hatred of Negroes is even greater than his dislike of nearly everyone else.

THE LYNCH PARTY.  The otherwise upright citizens who attempted to get past Atticus at the jail allowed their fear of Tom to override their good senses. Luckily, Scout's words of wisdom brought them back to reality.

BOB EWELL STALKS.  Tom's death wasn't enough for Bob. He felt the impulse to stalk and frighten Tom's wife, Helen, as well.

DOLPHUS RAYMOND.  Raymond's decision to spend his wife with Maycomb's Negroes makes the rest of Maycomb's white community think he is mentally unstable and/or a drunk.

 

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