摘 要

《杀死一只知更鸟》是哈珀. 李的一部现实主义长篇小说，其笔调诙谐幽默，文风犀利，笔尖直指黑暗的社会现实，故事发生在二十世纪三十年代美国大萧条时期南部一个小镇，以强奸案为线索展开探索，揭示经济大萧条美国社会白人至上的种族歧视在梅科姆镇肆行。司考特这样的孩子的描述反映了儿童边缘化的话语权。梅耶拉的悲剧是父制霸权和女性意识缺乏的结果。本文旨在根据人物命运展示成人中心主义崩塌，父权制社会中女性意识的成长和黑人权利意识的觉醒，以揭示美国的种族歧视，性别歧视和年龄歧视。

关键词：《杀死一只知更鸟》；种族歧视；性别歧视；年龄歧视；

Contents

1. Introduction……………………………………………………...................……...1
2. Demonstration………………………………………………......................………3

2.1 Racial Discrimination in To Kill a Mockingbird…................................................3

2.1.1 Stereotyped Images of African Americans…………………….....…………….3

2.1.2 The Representative Victim of Racial Discrimination………….……………….4

2.1.3 Racial Tragedy of Tom Robinson…………………………………………..….6

2.2 Gender Discrimination in To Kill a Mockingbird……………………….…….….....7

2.2.1 Male-Dominated Social Environment………………..………………….……. 7

2.2.2 The Representation of Gender Discrimination…………………………….…...8

2.2.3 The Consequences of Mayella's Obedience................................................…...10

2.3 Age Discrimination in To Kill a Mockingbird…………………………………….....10

2.3.1 Traditional Views on Age …………………………………………….............10

2.3.2 The Manifestation of Ageism....................……………………………….….. 11

2.3.3 The Influence of Ageism on Children……………………………….…..........12

1. Conclusion………………………………….……………………………….........13

Works Cited...................................................................….........................................14

Bibliography…………………………………………….…......................................14

An Analysis of Discriminations in To Kill a Mockingbird

1. Introduction

To Kill a Mockingbird, published in 1960, is a masterpiece written by Harper Lee, who won the Pulitzer Prize for literature in 1961. President Bush awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2007. The academic community believes that the novel is the author's autobiography. So far, the novel has been translated into more than 40 languages and sold about 15 million copies. Shortly after publishing, there were about 30 kinds of newspaper reviews on this novel. To Kill a Mockingbird in the United States is comparable to the Bible in terms of its release and popularity

This novel has been studied by scholars home and abroad from different aspects. We can generalize the facets from racism, feminism, Gothic elements, narrative perspectives, family love to children's growth. Comments on this novel varied from people to people. The New Yorker claims that the novel presents a skilfull, unpretentious and totally ingenious idea. However, not all of the comments are good. Some critics criticize that it is impossible for a girl to narrate her identity in an untrustworthy style, like a well-educated adult. To Kill a Mockingbird is also regarded as Gothic novel. The elements of mystery and violence are of great concern to critics. "Virtually every external feature of the Gothic can be located in To Kill a Mockingbird." (Johnson 41) To Kill a Mockingbird is also classified as a growth novel. It was pointed out that the novel is a study of how Jem and Scout began to perceive social codes. We will build a sense of self-identity that can break through some cultural barriers so that we can embrace the world. To Kill a Mockingbird is regarded as a feminist growth novel, a woman's position in the group and her sense of being a female role, and Scout has transformed from her childhood to a lady through her supernormal experience. As for symbolism, scholars point out that mockingbirds and flowers have their own characteristics. As Claudia Durst Johnson points out that all characters have symbolic significance, and they try to revolt against the existing South American tradition, while to some degree they are full of irony.

Domestic studies also have the relevant researches. A lot of Chinese scholars attach great importance to the study of the novel, though less comprehensive than abroad, but the study of the novel still involves with racial inequality, growth novels, Gothic and other aspects of the characteristics and so on. Some studies focus on children's growth, highlighting the growing pains. Scout, from ignorance to maturity, is also the focus of research. Some scholars show interest in symbolic meaning and symbolic features. Feminism is also undeniable as an important perspective in the study of this novel.