Harper Lee was attempting to convey the message that both a broken judicial system and racial prejudice are deadly. Tom's death is a result of a prejudiced jury's decision to wrongly convict an innocent man of assault and rape for the simple fact that he was black. After Tom is convicted and serving his sentence in an Alabama jail, he attempts to escape by climbing the fence surrounding the yard during an exercise period. Tom is shot seventeen times and dies tragically. His death not only results from the prejudiced jury's verdict, but also the corrupt and broken judicial system which allowed the decision to stand. Throughout Atticus' closing remarks, he comments that the place where every man should be treated equally, regardless of class, race, or gender, is in a United States courtroom. Unfortunately, the justice system fails Tom Robinson, and he eventually dies in the prison where he was sentenced to stay.
The concepts of a fair judicial system and tolerant populace are significant aspects of a civil society. Courts should judge individuals based on evidence and truthful testimonies in order to avoid injustice. Wrongful convictions devalue a society's judicial system and can destroy the lives of those who are convicted of crimes they did not commit. Society, in general, should be tolerant of people regardless of differences in race, social class, religion, culture, or gender in order to have a peaceful, productive community. Through Tom's wrongful conviction and death, Lee emphasizes the importance of an effective and fair court system, as well as a tolerant, understanding society.
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