Examples Of Social Inequality In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird, a book written by Harper Lee, takes place in the era of the Great Depression. Many people are struggling, and race discrimination is prominent. Many events throughout this book evince social inequality within this time period, such as when Jean Louise Finch is repeatedly suppressed by her aunt and told to act like a girl. When Tom Robinson is charged guilty just because of his skin tone, social inequality is also evident. The different families that appeared in the book also depicts social inequality when one could be defined by his family name, for instance, the Ewells who are known for being filthy and disrespectful. Though the importance of morality is stressed by Atticus, Jean Finch’s father, the constancy of social

inequality is noticeable throughout the text.

In the Maycomb, families who have had a long history in the county are each characterized by their common behavior.

One could be prejudiced of his personality or quality by his last name. When Burris Ewell is found to have cooties and acts out in class, the kids just accept his behavior because Ewells are known for being mean and uneducated (34). As Jean Finch’s aunt explains to Jean Finch that “there is no doubt in my mind that they're good folks. But they're not our kind of folks,” it can be shown that the kids in each household are also taught who they should and should not hang out with. When Jem Finch explains that their “kind of folks don't like the Cunninghams, the Cunninghams don't like the Ewells, and the Ewells despise the colored folks,” Jem shows that he thoroughly understands the social inequality that presents itself among the families (303). The amount of prejudice that comes from one’s last name depicts a strong inequality of treatment amongst the families of

Maycomb.

In Maycomb, there are standards as to how a woman and how a man should act. Unfortunately, Jean Finch is characterized as a tomboy who wears overalls and gets dirty, so she does not meet the requirements of a civilized girl. Her aunt takes it upon herself to teach Jean Finch how to act like a woman. By bringing women over for talks and snacks, Jean Finch’s aunt hopes for women influence on Jean Finch. The women who came over “smelled heavenly”, wore dresses, and “wore hats to go across the street”, which basically depicted a majority of the women in Maycomb (307). Jean Finch was also pressured to act like a girl by her brother, Jem Finch, when he shouted, “It's time for you to start acting like a girl!” (153). Other people start to take part in changing her into a woman, such as when Uncle Jack lectures Jean Finch to stop cursing or using unladylike terms. Because Jean Finch has grown up around boys, many people help change her into a woman before it’s too late.

The most important type of inequality depicted in this book would be racial inequality.

Throughout this book, negroes are constantly displayed in a poor neighborhood and treated unequally. This is most evident during Tom Robinson’s court trial when “Mr.Bob Ewell accused him of rapin’ his girl an’ had him arrested an’ put in jail,” (164). Even though Robinson is innocent and all of the evidences are on his side, the jury votes against him due to his skin color. In addition, the church made for negroes also portrays lack of funding for its absence of a ceiling, painted walls, and hymn-books (159). In general, negroes living in Maycomb often have the lower hand and are not able to be treated as the

whites.

Inequalities of all types are evident during the time of the Great Depression in Maycomb county with its prejudice in family names, strict standards of women, and racial segregation. Wrong judgments and false classification cause social inequality. Though it is not obvious, social inequalities are still evident to this day, and it works to negatively break up the population. People should work to lessen the amount of social inequalities for it may just lead to the guilt of the innocent, just like Robinson.