Theme Of Poverty In To Kill A Mockingbird

In the old, sleepy town of Maycomb, racism, poverty, and domestic violence are a complication of everyday life. Like other Southern towns, Maycomb suffers considerably during the Great Depression. Poverty reaches from the privileged families, like the Finches, to the Negroes and “white trash” Ewells, who live on the outskirts of town. Harper Lee paints a vivid picture of life in this humid Alabama town where tempers and bigotry begin to explode into conflict. Life in the early 1900’s in Alabama must’ve been devastating.

Racism is mentioned throughout the whole book of To Kill A Mockingbird. There are many victims in the book who suffer from racism. “‘You ain't got no business bringin’ white chillun here- they got their church, we got our’n. It is our church, ain't it, Miss Cal?” (Lee 158). Since the white people were racist, Lula felt like she had to be rude towards Jem and Scout since they were the only white people in a black church. It’s fair to say Jem and Scout were invading the black people’s space where they’re

free to be themselves without anyone judging them and that's most likely why Lula got mad. However, Jem and Scout weren't there to make rude comments about the black people, they just wanted to go to church with Calpurnia; they didn't want any harm. Another victim of racism is Tom Robinson. He is an African-American man who is accused of something he claims he didn't do. Tom Robinson was married to a woman named Helen and they had three children together. He was accused of raping a white woman; Mayella Ewell. “ ‘Tom, did you rape Mayella Ewell?’ ‘ I did not, suh.’ ‘Did you harm her in any way?’ ‘ I did not, suh’ ‘ Did you resist her advances?’ ‘ Mr. Finch, I tried. I tried to ‘thout bein’ ugly, I didn't wanta push her or nothin’.” (page 260). Tom claims he did not rape Mayella, and the points that Atticus is making to the judge and the jury, seem pretty valid as to why he wouldn't rape Mayella.
The Finch’s show no sign of living in poverty.

They are considered to be in the higher class of Maycomb County. “She owned a bright green square Buick and a black chauffeur, both kept in an unhealthy state of tidiness…” (Lee 169). While the Finch’s show no sign of poverty, pretty much everyone below the higher class lives in poverty. “Walter Cunningham was sitting there lying his head off. He didn’t forget his lunch, he didn’t have any. He had none today nor would he have any tomorrow or the next day. He had probably never seen three quarters together at the same time in his life” (Lee 26). This is how poor everyone, except the Finch’s, are in Maycomb. Three quarters back then was a lot to the people. Most people didn't even have that. This shows how the middle and lower class in Maycomb live in poverty. The characters that are symbolic to poverty are the Cunninghams, the Ewells, and the African-Americans. They all live in poor

conditions.
The Ewells are a very poor family. Mayella is the oldest out of all her siblings. Her dad, Bob Ewell, isn't necessarily the best parent. The family is known as the disgrace of Maycomb for three generations. Mr. Ewell would rather spend his money on whiskey than food for his hungry children. Mr. Ewell and Mayella both claim Tom Robinson took advantage of Mayella. “It was the night of November twenty-first. I was just leaving my office to go home when B- Mr. Ewell came in, very excited he was, and said get out to his house quick, some nigger’d raped his girl” (Lee 223). When Atticus was asking both Mayella and Mr. Ewell questions about what happened, their responses did not add up. Mr. Ewell isn't known to be the best parent, he purposely puts his kids’ lives in danger by putting his hands on them, especially Mayella. “‘ Who beat you up? Tom Robinson or your father?’ No answer” (Lee 251). When Mayella did not answer Atticus’ question, it was a sign she was trying to cover her father's tracks of abusing her. Even though it's clear Mayella is lying for her father, Tom Robinson is still guilty for the rape of Mayella Ewell.
Maycomb is filled with complications. To racism, poverty, and domestic violence, you could say Maycomb is full of surprises. It’s an old town in the humid state of Alabama. The Finches, Cunninghams, Ewells, and the Negroes are in for some complications. Harper Lee tells the life of these four families who live in Maycomb County, Alabama.