In our country today, the government offers equal educational opportunities for the entire nation. Harper Lee displays a contrary situation in her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. The story takes place during the 1930's in a town called Maycomb. In this story, discrimination occurs as a tyrant ruling over the court, churches, society, and the opportunity for education. However, several people live, unburdened by prejudice and discrimination, yet choose not to receive an education. Along with these individuals, others exist such as Atticus Finch and his children who take pride in learning from an early age. Folks like these obtain knowledge quickly, and have the gift of understanding. Discrimination, foolishness, and family all contribute to the amount of education received by the characters in Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird.

Decades before the Civil Rights movement, discrimination is the impetus behind many actions in Maycomb, Alabama. Public...