The name “nigger” was used commonly as if it had no pejorative signification. Furthermore, when Tom Robinson is being interrogated by Atticus in court, Scout states with surprise that “… [his] manners were as good as Atticus’s” (260). Even if Scout is not racist herself, she is exposed to all sorts of opinions coming from racist people in Maycomb. Her affirmation shows that she has been influenced by other people’s sayings. The fact that she has been influenced means that other individuals believe not possible for a black person to share the same manners and values as them (black people’s manners and values were not as worthy as white people’s in Maycomb at the time).
Prejudice is portrayed in many forms in the novel. Characters in the book suffer discrimination due to race, age, social status and sex. This racism appears to be a normal thing to the people of Maycomb. In the novel, Scout runs into trouble with both a classmate and a cousin when the two boys taunt her about her father, whom they call a "nigger love". Atticus explains to Scout that he will be defending a black man named Tom Robinson.
Prejudice can be disguised as stereotyping, discrimination, misjudgment, and the biggest, which is shown in the book, is racism. Examples are shown through the eyes of the Maycomb citizens Scout and Jem, Atticus, the Radleys, and Aunt Alexandra. The characters in To Kill a Mockingbird show prejudice in many ways. When a citizen of Maycomb meets
Alongside of Maycomb society and its ignorance, the town also situates around the concern of discrimination - most particularly, towards the Radley Family. In chapter one, Harper Lee continues to use Scout and her perspective in articulating to the reader about the Radley Family and the discrepancies that were scandalised by the town's people. It
Dolphus Raymond sees that Dill is crying and responds with ‘cry about the simple hell people give other people – without thinking. Cry about the hell white people give coloured folks, without stopping to think that they’re people too.’ The repetition of the word ‘cry’ gives the reader the impression that Dolphus Raymond is angry at the way in which white people treat the black community. His words also highlight the simplicity of the situation through his eyes, Dolphus Raymond also repeats the word ‘hell’ which leads Scout, Jem and Dill to consider how much a segregated
Dubois's philosophy not only shows nihilism in the black race during this era but it also shows the same lack of progression in the black community in 2011. It reminds us of the lack of harmonious solidarity as well as the lack of intellect, high morals and spiritual insight affecting the Black masses today. His piece brings up an array of valid points on why the black community is its own worst enemy when it comes to building a new infrastructure of educational, historical and financial knowledge of self like the Jewish, Asian and Indian cultures. Dubois says “It is the problem of developing the best of this race that they may guide the mass away from the contamination and death of the worst, in their own and other races. Now the training of men is a difficult and intricate task.”(Dubois 1) I personally think that the contamination of most blacks today is from out dated teachings, some churches, politicians and most importantly, the entertainment business.
This shows that even thought Mr. Radley had no proof he assumed that it was an African American only because of his racist opinions towards blacks. In essence the plot of this novel demonstrates how the negative opinions of people can change others lives
How does Harper Lee use minor characters in To Kill A Mockingbird to explore some of the main concerns of the novel? 1) Harper Lee used Dolphous Raymond to explain how racism was at the time. Raymond could not be himself because people would judge him because he had a negro wife and children. 2) Harper Lee used Aunt Alexandra and Mrs. Dubose to explain how people were biased. Scout could not do anything without Aunt Alexandra and Mrs. Dubose criticizing what Scout was wearing, doing, and behaving.
He is using the language of that period in time and using it to focus in on the corruption of that period. He ultimately criticizing the white society for the cruelty they show towards blacks. No one can doubt that there is a lot of racism in the novel, but when the reader digs deeper into it, Twain is using the theme of racism to point out how ugly and corrupt white society was in that time. Huck Finn is a classic, but ultimately is there to remind us what is at stake when we passively accept social injustice, opening the door for all of the ugliest aspects of humanity. Children need to learn how society used to be and how it has changed.
To Kill a Mockingbird "Ignorant individuals are those who refuse to see the world through the eyes of another." - Matthew Michael James once said. Ignorance is something that is oblivious to humans and are not aware of their lack of knowledge about other people. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, displays Attics Finch a lawyer that was chosen to defend Tom Robinson's life from the racist people in Maycomb County such as Bob Ewell, and to always be their for his two children Scout, and Jem that experience many conflicts throughout the novel. Two characters that show bewilderment throughout the course of the novel is Scout, and Bob Ewell.