Harper Lee grew up in the small town of Monroeville, Alabama, where she lived with her parents Amasa Coleman and Frances Finch Lee. After graduating from high school, Lee attended Huntingdon College and the University of Alabama before eventually leaving school to pursue a writing career in New York (Altman np). The time frame of Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird is very important in helping the reader fully understand racism and discrimination. “Racism permeates every idea and every inch of this book from the loss of the Robinson trial, the discrimination against Atticus, and the contempt of Jem and Scout” (Satyasi np). Throughout the novel, you will find themes of prejudice and guilt-innocence involving Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson is guilty of living in a prejudiced society and even though he tries to escape from prison, the novel states that prejudice will be overcome by hope. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee reveals the destructive nature of racism and discrimination. The Ewells are such a racist family because they falsely accused Tom Robinson of raping Mayella Ewell. We are first introduced to the Ewells on Scout's first day of school when Burris Ewell shocked his teacher, Miss Caroline, with his dirty appearance. “He was the dirtiest human I have ever seen. His neck was dark gray and the backs of his hands were rusty, and his nails were black to the core” (Lee29). The Ewell children never came to school regularly, they only came on the first day so as not to get in trouble with the sheriff. The Ewells were also racist, but it was mainly father Bob Ewell and his daughter Mayella. "That nigger over there took advantage of me {Mayella} and if you're a refined gentleman you don't want to do anything to...... middle of paper ...... temporary literary review. Ed. Jeffery W. Hunter. Flight. 194. Detroit: Gale, 2005. Information Resource Center. Online.Lyell, Frank H. “Frank H. Lyell on Harper Lee Dialogue.” Lee's Notes for To Kill a Mockingbird Blooms. Ed. Harold Bloom. Print.Satyasi, Vivek. The pervasive idea of ​​racism in To Kill a Mockingbird. 2008. Library. .Smykowski, Adam. “Symbolism and racism in To Kill a Mockingbird. » Readings on “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Ed. Terry O'Neill. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press, 200. 52-56. Rpt.inContemporary literary criticism. Ed. Jeffery W. Hunter. Flight. 194. Detroit: Gale, 2005. Information Resource Center. Online.Sullivan, Richard. “Richard Sullivan on the vivid characters of To Kill a Mockingbird.” Lee's Notes for To Kill a Mockingbird Blooms. Ed. Harold Bloom. Print.