How is To Kill a Mockingbird an experience that sweeps out the cobwebs of prejudice and shines the light of hope of mankind?

Despite the injustice of Tom Robinson's guilty verdict and
the obvious racism that exists in To Kill a Mockingbird's Maycomb,
the novel closes with an aura of optimism and hope. The villain of the novel, Bob Ewell,
dies during his attempt to harm Jem and Scout--a fitting end to the man who falsely
accused Tom and created so much hatred and fear to innocent residents of the town. Boo
Radley, the other man most feared (though unduly) in Maycomb, becomes the hero in the
end when he saves Jem and Scout from the murderous hands of Ewell. The town is ridded of
its most despicable inhabitant, and Boo is able to safely return to the haven of his
home when Sheriff Tate decides to call Bob's death self-inflicted. Tom's death has
somewhat been avenged, and Boo will be remembered (at least by those who know the facts)
as a good neighbor. Prejudice and racism will remain in Maycomb, but the ending shows
that there is hope yet. Maycomb still has Atticus and his children, and there are others
who will spread an enlightened attitude among the townspeople in the decades to
come.