To Kill A Mockingbird Racism Quotes

Alveda King once said, “Racism springs from the lie that, human beings are less than fully human. It’s a self centered falsehood that corrupts our minds into believing we are right to treat others as we would not want to be treated”. This quote suggests that racism, a major theme in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, is only sprung if one is ignorant or self centered. To Kill A Mockingbird takes place during the Great Depression where a 6 year old Scout and 9 year old Jem learn life lessons from their lawyer father, Atticus, and many more people who they are influenced by in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. During the trial scene in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee uses characterization to show that racism exists in a world of ignorance,

where no one is treated equally. Some characters involved with racism in the novel are Tom Robinson, Dolphus Raymond, and Atticus’s taunters before the trial.
Lee uses the character of Tom Robinson to point out that ignorance can often lead to racism and inequality. The following quote is said by Atticus during the trial scene before Tom Robinson was convicted guilty. Atticus delivers his speech to inform society to think before they speak about inequality. The author writes,”She was white and she tempted a Negro. She did something our society is unspeakable: she kissed a black man. Not an old uncle but a strong young Negro man. No code mattered to her before she broke it, but it came crashing down on her afterwards”(272). The author specifically uses the words, “She was white and she tempted a Negro” to show racism in this particular scene. The fact that “she was white” is emphasized shows that races matter to the people. The author also uses the words,”She did something our society is unspeakable” to imply that there is a certain way people should behave with each other. Mayella did not follow what was expected of her. This phrase from the quote also reveals Mayella’s lack of shame towards her inappropriate behavior. Additionally, Lee uses the words “no code mattered to her before she broke it, but it came crashing down on her afterwards” to illustrate the code of conduct in the town.

It portrays the behavior that is not accepted in society. This quote shows how racism has a big impact on people’s views and the differences between races are emphasized. In addition, Harper Lee uses another example of racist views toward Tom Robinson through another quote that was said during the trial. Another important quote that displays racism that is told by Atticus during the trial speech explains that all people are created equal and should not be judged based on their skin color. Atticus states, “You know the truth, and the truth is this:some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women- black or white. But this is the truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man living who has never looked upon a woman without desire”(273). The author specifically uses the words “You know the truth and the truth is this”, to inform that everyone has made mistakes and should be open minded in any kind of situation. It is important to look

from others’ point of view and putting aside the ignorance. Additionally, Lee uses the phrase “some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women- black or white” to show that not all people of the same race should be expected to behave in the same manner. Lee is hinting that in an ignorant society, people of the same race are portrayed as being one stereotypical type of person. When the author writes, “But this is the truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men”, she is explaining that everyone is human and everyone tries to hide something they are guilty of. It can be also implied that race should not matter when it comes behavior and personality. One only thinks so racistly if he or she is ignorant. The quotes above use the character of Tom Robinson, a black man, as an example for the target of racism due to ignorant views and inequality.
Lee also uses the character of Dolphus Raymond to depict how people’s lives can be affected because of ignorance, hatred, racism, and the fear of judgment.

During the break in the trial scene, Jem, Scout, and Dill spot the neighborhood gossip: Dolphus Raymond. Jem explains to both Scout and Dill about who Mr Raymond is through his influenced views. Harper Lee writes, “”Why’s he sittin’ with the colored folks?’ ‘Always does. He likes ‘em better’n he likes us, I reckon. Lives by himself way down near the county line. He’s got a colored woman and all sorts of mixed children. Show you some of ‘em if we see ‘em.’ ‘He doesn’t look like trash,’ said Dill”(214). The quote clearly shows how along with ignorance, prejudice can also be the reason for racist views. The author specifically uses the words, “He likes ‘em better’n he likes us, I reckon” to show how Jem’s views on Dolphus Raymond are unsure but claims he prefers blacks over whites anyway. Lee writes the words “show you some of ‘em if we see ‘em” to portray their fascination over someone with mixed kids since it isn’t common to see someone with both black and whited kids in Maycomb. Furthermore, the way Jem states the above quote implies their views towards mixed race people are highly influenced by the racism going on around them. Additionally, Dill adds ”He doesn’t look like trash” which shows their prejudice without even knowing Mr Raymond. These views are due to ignorance and racism, which results in jumping to

conclusions. However, Dolphus Raymond states his own reasons for his “mysterious” and “unusual” behavior in this next quote. Dolphus Raymond meets Scout and Dill for the first time while taking a break from the trial since Dill was overwhelmed by his emotions. Their conversation was interrupted by a voice behind a tree that happened to be Mr Raymond who starts talking to them about his unaccepted and judged ways. Dolphus Raymond states, “I try to give ‘em a reason, you see. It helps folks if they can latch onto a reason. When I come to town, which is seldom, if I weave a little and drink out of this sack, folks can say Dolphus Raymond’s in the clutches of whiskey- that’s why he won’t change his ways. He can’t help himself, that’s why he lives the way he does. That ain’t honest Mr Raymond, making yourself look badder’n you already are. It ain’t honest but it’s mighty helpful to folks. Secretly, Miss Finch, I’m not much of a drinker, but you see they could never understand that I live like I do because that’s the way I want to live” (268). The author specifically writes the phrase “I try to give ‘em a reason, you see. It helps folks if they can latch onto a reason” to show the compromises he has to make in order to live in communities where mistreated people like him don’t fit in. Additionally, the author writes the words “that’s why he won’t change his ways. He can’t help himself, that’s why he lives the way he does” to show that the people of Maycomb judge him. Because of judgement, ignorance can take over, and soon racism will follow. When the author uses the words “but you see they could never understand that I live like I do because that’s the way I want to live”, she illustrates the struggles of trying to fit in and being the target of racism at the same time. This quote also uses shows society’s prejudice and ignorance due to racism. The quotes above reveal the real character of Dolphus Raymond and show that fear of judgement because of racism can have a major affect on one’s character.
Lee also uses the treatment of Atticus before the trial to show how even appearing as a supporting figure for a different race can cause conflicts and changed views. In the following quote, Francis, Atticus’ nephew, is influenced by his elders about how Atticus is making the family look bad because of the choices he’s making. Francis states, “Just what I said. Grandma says it’s bad enough he lets you all run wild, but now he’s turned out a nigger-lover we’ll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb agin. He’s ruinin’ the family, that’s what he’s doin. Francis rose and sprinted down the catwalk to the old kitchen. At a safe distance he called, ‘He’s nothin’ but a nigger-lover”’(110). The author specifically uses the words “but now he’s turned out a nigger-lover we’ll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb agin” to show just because someone in the family is associated with a black man, the whole family should be ashamed and feel insecure about themselves. The author writes the words “He’s ruinin’ the family, that’s what he’s doin” to show the influence others can have on kids like Francis. This phrase from the quote portrays how prejudice can often be misleading and soon turn into racist views. Additionally, Lee writes the words, “At a safe distance he called, ‘He’s nothin’ but a nigger-lover” to show how Francis is aware of his racist commentary but doesn’t proceed to think about his ignorant mind. This phrase also shows how ignorance leads to prejudice. Another example Harper Lee shows mistreatment is through an old woman, Mrs Henry Lafayette Dubose. The next quote about Atticus is said by an angry Mrs Dubose to Jem and Scout. According to Lee, “‘Not only a Finch waiting on tables but one in the courthouse lawing for niggers!’ Jem stiffened. Mrs Dubose’s shot had gone home and she knew it: ‘Yes indeed, what has the this world come to when a Finch goes against his raising? I’ll tell you!’ She put her hand to her mouth. When she drew it away, it trailed a long solver thread of saliva. ‘Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for’”(135). The author specifically uses the words “Not only a Finch waiting on tables but one in the courthouse lawing for niggers!” to show the disrespect even elderly people have toward other people from a different race. This also reveals her upbringing and how she was taught to dislike and stay away from blacks from an early age. This is a perfect example of how people influence younger generations who have different beliefs. Furthermore, Lee uses the phrase “Yes indeed, what has the this world come to when a Finch goes against his raising?”. This phrase reveals how just at a young age, children are taught and influenced by parents and elders about racism. When the author writes “Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for”, the strong views of the blacks in the society is portrayed. It also implies that in the eyes of an elderly white woman, blacks and trash are equivalent. With this kind of disrespect over a supporting figure for a person part of a different race, racism is likely to come resulting in judgement and ignorance. These quotes prove how appearing as a supporter of a different race, ignorance can occur in which racism will follow.
Harper Lee demonstrates racism through the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by using characterization. Lee uses society’s views against Tom Robinson, the prejudice against Dolphus Raymond, and Atticus’s opposers to show how racism will take place in an ignorant and self-centered world. Tom Robinson’s innocence of the case versus an ignorant society leads to his death. Similarly, Dolphus Raymond’s judgers and gossipers contributes to his actions of pretending to be drunk because of the hate he gets constantly. And finally, the fact that Atticus is a supporter for a black man results in the lack of support and respect he received from the people of Maycomb.This evidence proves that in To Kill A Mockingbird, ignorance and inequality can be the reason for racist views . This theory is corroborated by the quote said by Alveda King which proves one of the main themes of the novel: racism.