The Conceptualization of Rape in Harper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird Racial, Gendered and Social Injustice

Name of Author : Dr.P. Deepalakshmi

Abstract: The representation and conceptualization of rape in modern literature reflects evolving societal attitudes towards gender, power and justice. In Harper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird, the accusation of rape against Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of raping Mayella Ewell, becomes a focal point for examining the intersection of race, gender and social injustice in the American South during the 1930s. Through the trial of Robinson, Lee critiques the ways in which rape accusations are manipulated to uphold the racial and gendered power structures of the time. This research paper explores how the novel portrays rape not only as an act of sexual violence but as a symbol of systemic oppression, using the accusation to reinforce white supremacy and patriarchal control. The analysis of Tom Robinsons trial highlights the ways in which race and gender intersect to shape societal perceptions of sexual violence, with the tragic consequences of the trial exposing the deep flaws in the justice system. Additionally, the work engages with broader literary themes surrounding trauma, memory and the societal repercussions of sexual violence, drawing on theoretical frameworks from scholars such as Kimberle Crenshaw, Ann DuCille, and Patricia Hill Collins. Ultimately, Lees portrayal of rape in To Kill a Mockingbird serves as a critique of both individual and institutionalized forms of racial and gender based violence, emphasizing the lasting impact of these injustices on the social and moral fabric of society.

Keywords : Rape, Gender, Race, Power Structures, Injustice

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