To Kill a Mocking Bird-Racism

             The novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, was set in 1935, a period where prejudice and racism were encountered in everyday life. The small county town called Maycomb was very old and private. The people there were not subjected to anything different to their traditional ways and did not experience things that were beyond the boundaries of their town, and was therefore very narrow-minded. The town was bounded by generations of tradition which provided an essence for prejudice and discrimination. The attitudes, treatment and judgment of people such as Tom Robinson, Calpurnia and other black people clearly reflect the racism that exists within Maycomb County.
             Brought into the Finch household to teach and act as a female role model for young Scout, Aunt Alexandra begins by demonstrating to Scout Calpurnia's inferior position. For Alexandra, Calpurnia will not do as a role model for Scout. From the beginning, Alexandra shows Scout who posses the power and what higher class is,
             "Put my bag in the front bedroom, Caplurnia." (Lee 127)
             From the moment Aunt Alexandra is introduced in the novel, one clearly sees that she has no respect for Calpurnia, because she's black. She never once says 'please' or 'thank you' when addressing Calpurnia.
             Shortly after her arrival, Aunt Alexandra confronts Atticus (her brother) about Calpurnia,
             "... You've got to do something about her. You've let things go on too long... And don't try and 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." (Lee 136/137)
             Aunt Alexandra clearly wants Calpurnia out of the family. She sees the love and respect that the children have towards Calpurnia and fears Scout will grow up loving what she (Alexandra) considers 'trash'.
             In response to Alexandra's demand to Atticus about Calpurnia, Atticu...

More Essays:

APA     MLA     Chicago
To Kill a Mocking Bird-Racism. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 07:28, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/77098.html