In Harper Lee's novel "To Kill A Mockingbird", the characters face adversity that develop controversial themes. Lee's application of racism is immensely represented. Especially through the actions and words of characters Atticus Finch and Aunt Alexandra. To begin, I will be discussing character Atticus Finch and how he represents racism. Father and lawyer, he lives in Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s. A time when racism was very much still an issue. Atticus is one of few that isn't afraid to stand up against it. Not only in Maycomb, but throughout the entire United States. For example, he trusts his black housekeeper Calpurnia to stay with his children Jem and Scout. In addition, he's alright with them attending church with her. Although …show more content…
As said before, Aunt Alexandra is Atticus Finchs sister. After Atticus, Scout, and Jem visit her and the family, she becomes worried about the childrens upbringing and their carry of the family legacy because of Atticus' involvement in the trial and his support of blacks. She goes to Maycomb without notifying Atticus and stays with them to "straighten their ways". For example, she says to Jem, "If Uncle Atticus lets you run around with stray dogs, that's his own business, like Grandma says, so it ain't your fault. I guess it ain't your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I'm here to tell you, it certainly does mortify the rest of the family--". This quote shows that Aunt Alexanrda is just like most citizens of Maycomb...selfish and wrapped up in protecting her families reputation. Too afraid to be different and recognize what is right. Another example is when Aunt Alexandra bans Jem and Scout from attending Toms trial. She thinks it will plague the childrens minds and set them on the same path as Atticus. Consequently this shows her trying to hide reality and convince them they are better off blending in. To end, Aunt Alexandra's view on racism is different from Atticus'. In context, I don't neccesarily think she wishes cruelty upon blacks, but rather just wants to protect herself and the families
Atticus a busy man, had less time to raise his kids than many parents, this led to Jem and Scout having a more unconventional upbringing. Aunt Alexandra unjustly ignores these circumstances, ridiculing the children's manners and clothing choices constantly. “...you've got to do something about her. You've let thing go on to0 long, Atticus, too long. ”(182)
The prejudice that is demonstrated throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee reveals how a community views certain groups of people. As one reads through the book To Kill a Mockingbird they see that sexism is revealed from the very beginning of the text. The author of To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, points out, “Men’s stiff collars wilted by nine in the morning. Ladies bathed before noon, after their three o’clock naps, and by nightfall were like soft teacakes with frostings of sweat and sweet talcum powder,” (Lee 5).
This illustrates that Aunt Alexandra could care less about how Calpurnia feels and that she is racist. On page 155 of chapter fourteen, Alexandra is talking about Calpurnia and says, ¨And don't try to get around it. You´ve got to face it sooner or later and it might as well be tonight. We don't need her now.¨ Alexandra clearly says this because she was upset that Scout went to a black church with Calpurnia. Alexandra goes on about this matter because she thinks that Calpurnia opposes as a threat and will raise Scout like a black woman.
Harper Lee clearly shows the gender roles present during the time of the Great Depression in To Kill a Mockingbird. As the characters progress and Jem and Scout grow up, more signs of gender discrimination are present. It starts with Jem picking on Scout for being scared. When Scout is afraid to retrieve the tire, Jem says, “I swear, Scout, sometimes you act so much like a girl it’s mortifyin’” (42). Acting like a girl in this case means to be scared and weak, whereas the boys were expected to be strong and brave.
Aunt Alexandra blurted in the middle of the conversation a denial for Scout to go. “She promised me I could come out to her house some afternoon. Atticus, I’ll go next Sunday… can I?... “You may not.” Aunt Alexandra said it.”
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”(Lee 30). These are the words of Atticus Finch, the wisest character in the famous novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. He is a fictional man that embodies human traits that all people should strive to emulate. In the novel; narrated by Atticus’ daughter Jean Louise Finch, more often referred to as Scout; Atticus defends a black man, Tom Robinson, who has been accused of raping a white female, Mayella Ewell. The main message of the text is the prominence of racial injustice, specifically in the 1930’s, the era the novel takes place in.
To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is a book about racism and discrimination over people because the color of their skin. In this book, people like Tom Robinson, Scout Finch, and Helen Robinson are affected by racism. Tom Robinson is an African American man, he was accused of raping a nineteen year old girl named Mayella Ewell, a white girl. Mayella’s father, Bob Ewell, accused him of raping his daughter. Bob caught Mayella breaking a social taboo, or custom forbidding of a particular practice, by trying to seduce Tom Robison.
Atticus says, introducing how important figure is she in his family by teaching Jem and Scout a moral theme and illustrated as a substitute mother. “Don 't matter
But in the other she also dislike Scout for behaving like a tomboy that’s why she tries to turn Scout into a lady. Which is one way in making a child have a difficult time accepting and being themselves around others and themselves. Aunt Alexandra believes that Scout should be brought up with a feminine influence as she said to Scout “would be best for you to have some feminine influence”. She wants Scout to act like other girls in her age should be interested in clothes and boys. Another reason she wants Scout to act a lady is because if Scout act like a tomboy and play with boys then she will be embarrassing the Finch family.
Rough Draft To Kill a Mockingbird isn 't only a book about Maycomb in the 1930s, but its hidden bigger plot point is to prove that different types of people exist in the world. Some of these people have different views on their morals and racism. Some characters in the book are good examples of these problems, but some inanimate objects and animals do an even better job of resembling these problems. Atticus Finch did whatever he could to show his children and the entirety of Maycomb what good morals are and even when it seemed as if the whole town was against him he still went through with doing his best to save not only Tom Robinson but all of Maycomb. After the trial, he learned that Maycomb still has problems and that it will take
To Kill a Mockingbird was a novel written by Harper Lee in a time when racism against black people is huge. Harper Lee shows the influences of racism and social inequality through the relationships of her characters such as Tom Robinson, the Ewells, the Cunningham, Boo Radley. In the novel, many different forms of inequality are captured. Firstly, there is racism against all the blacks in Maycomb society by white people, no matter rich or poor. The culture portrayed in the novel is full filled with prejudice against black people and people even referred the kind, gentleman Tom Robinson to the word ‘nigger’.
The story of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a classic part of American Literature that explores the different aspects of prejudice and integration. There are multiple scenes in both the novel and movie that show this separation between races, because these actions were common at this time in the 1930’s. Some examples of segregation in the story include the separated courtroom, the housekeeper Calpurnia in the back of the car, and the outcome of Tom Robinson’s case. One example of segregation is the separation in the courtroom. During Tom Robinson’s trial, the courtroom was very clearly divided between whites and blacks.
In the 1930’s, racism, classism, and prejudice became more evident in people’s everyday lives. In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, she demonstrates this sore subject in a small town called Maycomb, Alabama. Lee presents Maycomb as a southern town, bursting with gossip and encompasses the traits of a one-sided community. Overall, Maycomb despises the African American race and refuses to treat them as equals because of their skin color. However, Lee created the main characters, Jem, Scout, and Atticus, to be different.
Crespino, Joseph. " The Strange Career of Atticus Finch." Contemporary Literary Criticism, edited by Jeffrey W. Hunter, vol. 194, Gale, 2005. Literature Criticism Online, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/GRWQBP997595206/LCO?u=tamp73569&sid=LCO. Accessed 20 Mar. 2018.
Though most of the town Maycomb feels negatively and discriminates the African-Americans, characters like Atticus show us how one person can impact his surroundings if he has high morals. Although he couldn’t change the mindset of the other town residents , he made sure that his own children didn’t discriminate people, purely on the basis of their skin colour. Racism can be seen even in the first few chapters of the book. These racist comments by nonracist children typify the culture in which they were growing up.