As long as stereotypes remain a part of society, justice cannot be upheld due to the prejudice of these misconceptions. Specifically, in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows the result of a racist and stereotypical society through the eyes of the young protagonist Jean Louise (Scout) Finch. As Scout grows up, she begins to notice the myriad flaws and imperfections within her society and as a result, Scout's father, Atticus Finch, teaches her to look beyond the exterior of a individual. Thus, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee shows the physical consequences of stereotypes as well as the way in which they limit, restrict and govern the actions of humans; Ultimately, this shows the destructive nature of stereotypes which also prevents individual growth. The physical consequences of stereotyping are exposed countless times throughout the novel. For those who do not comply, consequences include scrutiny, isolation and even death. When Atticus Finch decides to defend a black man, he is bombarded with criticism. His own nephew Francis said: "'...Grandma says it's bad enough he's letting you all run wild, but now that he's become a ***** lover, we don't We'll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb again. He ruins the family, that's what he does" (Lee 83). Due to Maycomb's intolerance towards people of color, Atticus Finch is shunned by society. Moreover, this examination extends beyond Atticus himself and presents his family with difficulties; this is seen as Scout and Jem are mistreated by the white community of Maycomb because they do not approve of their father's actions. Yet the unjust actions directed against Tom Robinson were even more atrocious. "The State has not produced a single medical evidence demonstrating that... middle of article ... examples demonstrate how stereotypes discourage individual growth because individuals are expected to act in only one way: conform to the stereotype. In conclusion, To Kill a Mockingbird shows how stereotypes are not only superfluous but also impractical. They cause suffering to their victims while continuing to breed a community of closed-minded individuals. Furthermore, if this tradition remains unchanged, stereotypes will continue to govern the way humans live, whether by limiting or forcing individuals to act in a certain way. Certainly, a world free of stereotypes would be ideal, but this is unrealistic because tradition is not easily abolished. So the only real solution is to learn to put yourself in someone else's shoes and realize that there is always more than what meets the eye. Works Cited Lee, Harper. To kill a mockingbird. New York: Warner, 1982. Print.