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Social class judgements in the book to kill a mockingbird
The importance of social class in killing a mockingbird
The importance of social class in killing a mockingbird
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In the novel, ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee some characters suffer in the hands of justice and fairness more than others. Many characters in the novel are discriminated against such as Calpurnia, Dolphus Raymond, Helen Robinson, Burris Ewell and more. However I will be focusing on the discrimination against Tom Robinson for his race, Walter Cunningham for his low socioeconomic status and Boo Radley for the rumors and supposed mental instability he holds. I chose those three because they are the most prominent and I will discuss how the discrimination against the characters therefore leads to their injustice or unfairness.
The first character to discuss is Tom Robinson, he was accused of raping and beating Mayella Ewell. Atticus gave the jury much proof of why Tom Robinson was innocent while the opposing case was lacking proof,
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however he is convicted because it is his word versus a white woman’s. Tom Robinson does not have much hope and is scared because he knows that he is a black man against a white woman. “Mr.
Finch if you was a nigger like me, you’d be scared too.”
-Tom Robinson (page 215)
“In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black
man’s, the white man always wins.”
-Atticus (page 295)
Therefore the colour of Tom Robinson’s skin was the defining factor in the jury’s decision. Since the jury declared Tom Robinson guilty, that reveals his fate of going to jail and eventually being killed which is obviously an injustice based on the discrimination against him.
The second character who is discriminated against is Walter Cunningham because of his low socioeconomic status. Scout makes a rude remark when Walter is over for dinner because he put a lot of syrup on his vegetables and meat with a “generous hand.” Calpurnia explains to Scout that Walter is their company and that not everyone eats like them.
“He ain’t company, Cal, he’s just a Cunningham.”
-Scout (page 33)
Also, when Scout asked Aunt Alexandra if she could play with Walter, Aunt Alexandra makes a rude remark.
"I'll tell you why," she said. "Because- he- is-
trash, that's why you can't play with him. I'll not have you around him, picking up his habits and learning Lord-knows-what." -Aunt Alexandra (page 301) The first quote that Scout says belittles Walter implying he is not on the same social level as her because he is poor. The quote that Aunt Alexandra says name calls Walter calling him “trash” and she does not want Scout playing with him and acting like him because he is poor. Both of these quotes display unfairness towards Walter Cunningham because he does not get to play with Scout. He is being name called and people think of him as lesser of a person. The last character I am going to talk about that is treated with unfairness is Boo Radley. Many people tell untruths about him because he is a recluse. Nobody ever really sees him and that gives them a chance to assign characteristics to Boo without verification. Characters in the novel presumed he was mentally unstable and made up many rumors about him. Scout, Jem and Dill seem to be fascinated by Boo and make up a game called “Boo Radley,” they also try to send him a message via a fishing pole. Atticus soon learns about this. "I'm going to tell you something and tell you one time: stop tormenting that man. That goes for the other two of you." -Atticus (page 49) “As an adult, Atticus can see the real hurt the game may be causing.” -Ms. McGregor (English Teacher on eNotes) “The novel's title is a metaphor for both men (Tom Robinson and Boo Radley), of whom is a mockingbird.” -CliffsNotes Atticus tells the children to stop playing these games and tormenting Boo Radley because he feels bad for the man. He also thinks of Boo as a mockingbird which earlier was stated that mockingbirds do not harm anyone and only do good. Boo leaves Scout and Jem presents, covers Scout with a blanket during the fire and eventually saves the children from Bob Ewell. It is unfair for Boo Radley because he has been called names and is stuck in his house because of his father which could have caused his antisocialness that is shown when Scout meets Boo after the tragic incident when Boo does not say a word. Therefore, the characters in the novel ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee, who seem to suffer the most from either injustice or unfairness are the same characters who are discriminated against the most. Tom Robinson because he is a black man who loses a trial after being convicted of raping and beating a white woman named Mayella Ewell that he should have won because he was black. Walter Cunningham because he is poor and gets treated like lesser of a person, and Boo Radley because he is a recluse and has rumors about him going around the town as well as people being plain rude to him. Therefore, the people most discriminated against also suffer the most from injustice or unfairness.
Sometimes, people discriminate one thing, but strongly oppose the discrimination of another thing. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, this issue is very much expressed throughout the story. This thought-provoking story takes place in Maycomb, Alabama during a time when there’s a rape trial against a falsely accused African American named Tom Robinson. There is also a discrimination, of sorts, towards a man named Boo Radley, by three young children named Jeremy “Jem” Finch, Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, and Charles “Dill” Baker Harris. Both Boo Radley and Tom Robinson are similar in their own ways through their inherent goodness.
...because of his race; one only needs a single bullet to kill. Tom Robinson most likely felt forced to take the easy way out in fear of putting his family in more danger and poverty. The fatal outcome of Tom’s trial helps to prove how disastrous racial discrimination's effect can be on people, no matter what race they are.
Tom Robinson is at the stand being questioned by Mr. Gilmer. Dill starts to feel sick because of how Mr. Gilmer is treating Tom. The narrator explains, “Well, Dill,after all he is just a negro” (Lee 266).This piece of evidence shows that prejudice is used as an antagonist in the novel by giving an unfair trial to Tom Robinson. The quote states “he is just a negro,” which shows that the trial is unfair just because of the towns racial views on people of color. The jury is all white and the case is black versus white. The jury is very biased towards the case. The prosecuting lawyers and defending lawyer are giving their closing statements. Atticus ends with a powerful speech that prove Tom is innocent and his views on race. The jury thinks over all the evidence for a long time and come to a verdict. The author of To Kill A Mockingbird quotes, “Guilty...Guilty...Guilty...Guilty…” (Lee 282). This quote shows the jury is very prejudice. There is more than enough evidence to prove Tom did not rape Mayella and that Bob Ewell beat her. Even though there is enough evidence to proves Tom’s innocence the jury’s verdict is guilty just because of their hate and their prejudice towards African Americans. Ultimately, prejudice is being used as an antagonist is very thoroughly shown throughout the entirety of the
The most apparent theme of discrimination in To Kill A Mockingbird is racism, however there is more than just that. Other types of discrimination exist in To Kill A Mockingbird such as prejudice towards women, sexism. For example, Scout says, “Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my attire. I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches; when I said I could do nothing in a dress, she said I wasn't supposed to be doing anything that required pants” (Lee 59).
Tom Robinson’s trial, and in fact his entire life, was badly affected by racism. It is truly a testament to the corruption of society when a person who has earned a bad reputation is held in higher esteem than a person who was born with it, as is the case with Bob Ewell and Tom Robinson. Even though Tom was obviously honest in his testament, the jury sided with Bob Ewell because he was white. They made this decision despite the fact that the Ewell family was widely known to be a worthless part of society. Jem, not being racially prejudiced, could not understand this mentality. As Atticus pointed out, “If you (Jem) had been on the jury, son, and eleven other boys like you, Tom would be a free man.”
...del citizens. Additionally, the jury was made up of people from the areas, who are very prejudice towards blacks. Evidence from the novel and historical evidence from the time period shows clearly that the amount of prejudice that was so intertwined into the characters and the actual people of the time is so great that no black man, let alone Tom Robinson, could ever have stood a chance of getting a fair and just trail. As soon as Mayllea made the accusation, almost everyone in the town save a few dozen, "knew" that he was as guilty of the crime as the sky is blue.
Early into the story, Scout gets in trouble when she tries to explain to the new teacher- Miss Caroline- that Walter wouldn’t take money from her because he was a ‘Cunningham’. As readers, we know the Cunninghams were poor but proud, so they never took anything of anyone they couldn’t repay. However being unaware of Maycomb’s ways, Miss Caroline blames Scout, which lead to Scout’s attempt to beat up Walter, b...
In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, law is represented by various people and limited by many factors. The children see the injustice of the case. In addition, insensitivity has a profound effect on the outcome of the case. Ultimately, the justice of the legal system is tarnished by prejudicial hearts.
When Walter Cunningham forgets his lunch money, Miss Caroline tries to give him a quarter. Scout steps in and informs Miss Caroline who Walter is, and what kind of family he has. Scout and Jem ask Walter to go eat dinner with them, and when he gets there, Walter piles on the food. Scout does not realize that he does not get fed like they do until Calpurnia had to call her into the kitchen and talked to her. Considering that Scout is just a child and so she does not realize that all people do not have the same lifestyle as she does. One may go to the same school, but not do the same activities as her, but not as financially stable like the
In chapter 10 of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, an allegory for racism, prejudice, and injustice is created through the mad dog Tim Johnson as he wanders through the small southern town of Maycomb to find a place to die. The mad dog's physical descriptions, his death by Atticus's gun, and his disposal after death all combine to shape him to be a symbol for the injustice and racism that occurred during the Great Depression. Tim Johnson plays a pivotal part in Lee's narrative and portrays the story's central themes of justice and morality.
He was convicted of raping Mayella Ewell, even when all the evidence pointed towards her father. He was convicted because he was a black man and no other reasons. Atticus’s defense was superb, and discredited the prosecution at every turn, yet he still lost the case. In the words of Jem “It ain’t right, Atticus” (Lee 212). However, before the trial even began, Tom was being mistreated. The reason the trial began was because Mayella attempted to have a relationship with Tom, Bob Ewell found out, and was so furious he wanted them both punished. He beat up Mayella, sued Tom, and got away with it. “Why don’t you tell the truth, child, didn’t Bob Ewell beat you up.” (Lee 187). If this was anyone else it would have been a different story. When Tom was on trial, justice was also on trial, and justice
In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, the author, Harper Lee, writes about justice and fairness, and how these two concepts are so important to civil society.
“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest” Ellie Wiesel. Readers may find the amount of injustice in Harper lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird a little shocking. This could be why it’s such a popular book. People like the suspense of knowing someone’s right, but still being found guilty for something they did not do. There are many times throughout the book when people are powerless to prevent injustice but they still protest it. This shows that even when people unjustly punish there should always be someone to protest it. The theme of injustice is a common one in harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, whether it be through racism, misinformation, or Arrogance.
pg. 251-252). Besides discrimination and white privilege, gender discrimination also plays a role in this novel/film. Jem and Scout have grown up without a mother, and have a black house servant, Calpurnia, stand as a mother figure even though she and Scout do not get along. Throughout the movie, Scout is portrayed as not wanting to wear dresses and not acting “ladylike” as Calpurnia says.
Scout is first introduced to the principle of self control when she meets Walter Cunningham. Walter is a poor uneducated boy who attends the same school as Scout. Their first encounter with each other occurs when Scout embarrasses Walter at lunch for pouring all of his food with syrup. Scout does not realize the context of her actions, as she lives a comfortable lifestyle and views items such as syrup ordinary, while Walter does not. However, Calpurnia, the Finch’s family maid, has felt the need to address Scout of her inappropriate behaviour, “ Yo’ folks might be better than the Cunninghams, but it doesn’t count for nothin’ the way you’re disgracin’ ‘em- if you can’t fit to eat at the table you can just sit here and eat in the kitchen” (Lee 34). As a result of Calpurnia’s lecture, she understands to think before she acts. In the aftermath, Scout understands her actions towards her fellow classmate were hurtful and childish. Therefore, Scout’s encounter with Walter teaches her that it is better to withhold feelings than to