Preconception in To Kill A Mockingbird

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Preconception is an idea formed before someone has all the facts about something or someone else. Harper Lee, in To Kill A Mockingbird, gives a series of events that show preconception when the townspeople show towards others in their community. Tom Robinson is misjudged and convicted of a crime because the people of Macomb, Alabama have a preconception about him. This decision is made because of the blackness colour of his skin. Jem and Scout believe that their father is not interesting because he can not do things that the other fathers can do. The Maycomb people also have ideas about Boo Radley, but they have never seen or heard any facts about him to support their rumors. The preconceptions, shown by the townspeople of Maycomb, do not allow them to recognize the true and good character of the victims they create.
The reader identifies the effects of preconception that exists in the novel with the trial of Tom Robinson. Tom finds out the jury prejudges him when he hears them s...