Tom Robinson Stereotypes

Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, we are presented with various representations of stereotypes involving numerous characters of all ages. Due to specific encounters, we are faced with repeated stereotypical situations. For example, Walter Cunningham is a poor, misunderstood boy who comes from an underestimated family name. Along with the main character Scout, who narrates the story from a young age and finds herself constantly reminded to be the lady she is not. In like manner, Tom Robinson is familiar with the ways of Maycomb, Alabama who easily loses hope with his case of an alleged rape. Walter, Scout and Tom all validate as victims of stereotyping, but from the goodwill within and taking the time to understand someone beforehand,

we are able to erase assumed categorization, portrayed in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird.

Walter Cunningham is presumably an outcast due to his family’s financial status, resulting him in a cheated identity. Scout is familiar with the Cunningham’s financial situation. By cause of this misunderstanding, she found it unnecessary to get to know Walter as a person, but referred to him by the stereotypical significance of his surname. She assumed because Walter and his family are poor, he would automatically be rude and viewed him only by her

classification of him. For example, Scout described Walter as “[forgetting] he was a Cunningham.” (Lee 31), when entering the Finch household for a meal. Scout observed Walter

as someone stepping out of her expectations and began to realize there was more to him than what she expected. From misjudging Walter, we can learn that it is crucial to get to know someone before you judge them.

Scout Finch, the narrator of the novel has many stereotypical confrontations where she is forcefully being classified in terms of gender, of something she is not or does not intend to be. For example, through the perspective of Scout, we are able to detect the disappointment of others about Scout’s lack of what they expect, from the way she dresses to her actions, whether directly or indirectly such as from Aunt Alexandra or Jem. “Aunt Alexandra’s vision of my deportment involved playing with small stoves, tea sets, and wearing the Add-A-Pearl necklace she gave me when I was born.” (Lee 108). Scout is a playful, outgoing girl who feels betrayed by her Aunt Alexandra who despises of Scout’s attire and actions. Aunt Alexandra firmly believes that the Finch family name is important, not to mention the need to be a representing lady. However, Scout has no interest in being the stereotypical poised and polished vision of her Aunt but would rather a pair of overalls and to play outside. She is constantly reminded of her contrast to this, as well, indirectly. “They’d been sewn up. Not like a lady sewed ‘em, like somethin’ I’d try to do.” (Lee 78). Jem has retrieved his pants from the wire fence near The Radley Place but takes notice that they were sewn up and folded like someone was awaiting him. In comparison of the sewn

pants, Jem does not realize he was quoting a stereotype. Out of habit, he was easily able to classify the repair job that of a man. From the eyes of Scout, we familiarize ourselves with the harsh effects of stereotypes and the necessity to understand someone before making judgement.

For the duration of this novel, racial stereotypes continuously resurface in many aspects of the characters’ lives.

Accused of raping a poor white girl, innocent Tom Robinson is now faced with a desperate trial. “The evil assumption-that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women, an assumption one associates with minds of their caliber.” (Lee 273). Atticus delivers a powerful speech to the courthouse audience highlighting the disturbing truth of the unfair society. Although there was substantial evidence proving Tom’s innocence against Mayella Ewell, Tom was convicted for the rape the Ewell’s made up to disguise their guilty faults. The stereotypical accusation of the unjustifiable verdict costed Tom his life, when he grew “tired of white men’s chances and preferred to take his own.” (Lee 315). There are always two sides to a story and specifically someone from the black community had their strong opinion on those of the white community. When Calpurnia brought Jem and Scout to her church, they were interrogated by an angered Lula. “You ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillun here-they got their church, we got our’n.” (Lee 158). Lula makes a stereotypical judgement, after seeing Jem and Scout she immediately labels them white, and we can infer her thoughts are pulled from her prior knowledge of the stereotypical racist white community. She has never met Jem and Scout yet is quick to group

them in this category. Atticus’ courage to defend Tom Robinson and Calpurnia’s

tenacity of taking Jem and Scout to church in spite of their highly predicted outcomes prove that in the face of stereotypes, there will always be those who defy its borders.

Stereotypes is a steady theme throughout the novel caused by misunderstanding and categorization that majorly impacted the lives of Walter, Scout and Tom. Walter Cunningham is deprived of his true identity because of his financial status. Similarly, Scout Finch is regularly reminded to be the lady she is not, and is occasionally caught between being herself, or what others demand her to be. Finally Tom Robinson experiences a biased trial, due to a one-sided racist jury. Between social status, gender, and race we are able to see these characters struggle with stereotypes in various ways that eventually prove their good and strength within. The practical atmosphere of the society these characters are faced with offer us a direct learning experience applicable to our everyday lives that make the novel To Kill a Mockingbird a classic.