Racism in To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill A Mockingbird
“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.”(39) In this quote Atticus is trying to give Scout, the main character in To Kill a Mockingbird, that some advice about having a general code of moral ethics. This novel is the recollection of events that happened when the author was a young girl. It tells the story of how she grew up in a town called Maycomb with her older brother Jem and her father Atticus. It’s main event is the trial of Tom Robinson, in which he is falsely accused of “carnal knowledge of a woman without consent,” as Atticus’ definition of rape states. In, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee introduces the theme of racism through the characters of Bob Ewell, Scout’s Aunt Alexandra, and Calpurnia. She shows how the theme of racism can shape someones views on things majorly through the trial of Tom Robinson.
Aunt Alexandra, is the sister of Atticus and aunt to Scout and Jem. Social status is in high regard in her mind. She sees Calpurnia as more of an object than as a person. She does not accept Calpurnia as part of the family, as Atticus, Jem, and Scout do. Aunt Alexandra moves in with the family during the trial of Tom Robinson, because she feels as though Scout looks up to Calpurnia as more of a motherly figure. In ways she wants Scout to obey the social law at that time in Maycomb that black people were to be looked down upon. Aunt Alexandra says, “Put my bag in the front room, Calpurnia.”(169) She automatically takes the assumption that Calpurnia is more of a slave than a helper in the household. This quote shows Aunt Alexandra’s opinions on colored people, which are not very appropriate.
Calpurnia, or Cal, is a very important motherly figure in Scout’s early upbringing. She is the cook, she helps around the house, and she cares for the whole family. Atticus respects her, and refuses to fire her, although Aunt
“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.”(39) In this quote Atticus is trying to give Scout, the main character in To Kill a Mockingbird, that some advice about having a general code of moral ethics. This novel is the recollection of events that happened when the author was a young girl. It tells the story of how she grew up in a town called Maycomb with her older brother Jem and her father Atticus. It’s main event is the trial of Tom Robinson, in which he is falsely accused of “carnal knowledge of a woman without consent,” as Atticus’ definition of rape states. In, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee introduces the theme of racism through the characters of Bob Ewell, Scout’s Aunt Alexandra, and Calpurnia. She shows how the theme of racism can shape someones views on things majorly through the trial of Tom Robinson.
Aunt Alexandra, is the sister of Atticus and aunt to Scout and Jem. Social status is in high regard in her mind. She sees Calpurnia as more of an object than as a person. She does not accept Calpurnia as part of the family, as Atticus, Jem, and Scout do. Aunt Alexandra moves in with the family during the trial of Tom Robinson, because she feels as though Scout looks up to Calpurnia as more of a motherly figure. In ways she wants Scout to obey the social law at that time in Maycomb that black people were to be looked down upon. Aunt Alexandra says, “Put my bag in the front room, Calpurnia.”(169) She automatically takes the assumption that Calpurnia is more of a slave than a helper in the household. This quote shows Aunt Alexandra’s opinions on colored people, which are not very appropriate.
Calpurnia, or Cal, is a very important motherly figure in Scout’s early upbringing. She is the cook, she helps around the house, and she cares for the whole family. Atticus respects her, and refuses to fire her, although Aunt