How do novels teach us of justice and fairness?

That is the question ladies

and gentlemen. When I was younger my Grandpa would tell me stories
about a talking crocodile; as the tale progressed a moral would emerge and
I always took something away from the story. Novels are like extended
stories and great examples of morality. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper
Lee for instance is the story of Jean Finch, reflecting on two people who
changed the way she saw herself and her community forever. The first of
these men is Boo Radley, a misunderstood, exiled, malevolent phantom;
who bravely saves the lives of Scout and her brother Jem. The second is
Tom Robinson, a black man who fearlessly stood before a court full of
people to defend himself, but loses his life due to an unjust society that
outlaws his kind. Slowly, through her experience of Boo Radleys life, and
Tom Robinsons death, she learns about the social outcomes of
discrimination.
Jean Louise (or Scouts) honest reaction to these issues helps the reader to
see the matter in the eyes of an innocent child throughout the novel.

To Scout and her brother Jem, Boo Radley is the mysterious, frightening
loner who becomes their lesson in learning not to judge a book by its cover.
Their curious imagination forces them to write a fantasy to bring him to
their world, but despite their knowledge, he had been giving them pieces
of himself all along.
The gifts they receive tell them a different story from what they hear. The
gum, pennies, medals, dolls, the broken watch and the knife are all
attempts of Boo communicating with his outside world and after he saves
their lives, they realise that he is their mockingbird.
He showed extreme courage by risking his life to give to them, asking for
nothing in return. To overwhelm him with public notice would be
comparable to shooting a harmless songbird who only ever gives. As Scout
stands upon Boos porch she understands how you can never know a
person until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.

While Boo teaches Scout of tolerance and understanding on a private level,

Tom Robinson teaches her of racism and discrimination on a public level.
Harpee Lee uses Scouts confusion throughout the trial to emphasise the
effects of racism on the reader and though Scout does not totally
understand the notion of racism, you and I see the problem clear as words
on a paperback. When juxtaposed with her straightforward reaction to the
situation this bigotry stands out more making the moral clearer to see.
In court we see how polite and respectful Tom Robinson is to all who
address him and at one point asked not to go on because he knew what he
would say would upset the court room; but he was asked to and did so any
way. He showed courage in sticking to his story and defending himself
from the people who do not know him yet already hate him.
Scout sees all kinds of effects of racism on her teacher, neighbours, and
even takes a bit herself. Atticus had defended Tom Robinson to his greatest
extent to make sure he got a fair trial; by doing this his children experience
social rejection, exclusion and ridicule simply for being involved with a
negro.

Harper Lee, writes about the need to support those, who mean no harm
yet are particularly at risk to the violent injustices of our culture. She writes
about protecting our mockingbirds.
As I said in the beginning of my speech; I always take something away
from a story. This novel taught me about being open-minded to all people
and giving them a fair chance; having the courage to help others and
defend myself; and to not shoot birds. After I gave this a go, I realised;
most people are nice when you finally see them.