To Kill A Mockingbird Satire Analysis

Some authors place satire in their writing to draw attention to a social or political issue. When utilized appropriately, satire has the ability to criticize foolishness in a humorous way. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee employs satire to portray the hypocrisy during the ladies’ missionary society meeting in chapter twenty four through Mrs. Merriweather’s dialogue, actions, and ironic statements. In chapter twenty four, Mrs. Merriweather and the ladies’ missionary society get together and the topic of Tom Robinson’s trial is brought up. During the discussion of the trial Harper Lee uses Mrs. Merriweather’s dialogue to develop the ladies’ hypocrisy. After griping about how the blacks in the community are dissatisfied about the outcome
Merriweather also makes some ironic statements that are satirized by Harper Lee. The ladies’ missionary society begins to discuss how the North set blacks free. Mrs. Merriweather calls the North hypocrites for lying to the blacks and telling them that they are equal. She believes the South is more honest by not trying to pretend blacks and whites are equal. “At least we don’t have that sin on our shoulders down here” (267) she states, implying that showing blacks equality is sin. She makes this statement after the town sends an innocent black man to death. Maycomb is not free of sin, but because the community members do not “lie” to the blacks about being equal, Mrs. Merriweather doesn’t see it as wrong. Again, Harper Lee puts Mrs. Merriweather’s irony into a critical light to satirize her hypocrisy. Throughout chapter twenty four, Harper Lee utilizes Mrs. Merriweather’s hypocritical dialogue, actions, and ironic statements to satirize the ladies’ missionary society. Lee puts the group under ridicule for their judgement towards the black community of Maycomb county and makes them seem foolish. She portrays whites thoughts towards blacks during the 30s in a truthful light and brings it to