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Social status in to kill a mockingbird
Socioeconomic status to kill a mockingbird
Socioeconomic status to kill a mockingbird
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In the widely known novel To Kill A Mockingbird there are two families that are very diverse and are text book examples of complete opposites on the moral ladder of success. The Cunninghams and the Ewells have two very distinct and opposite reputations. The Cunninghams which are very respected while the Ewells very much despised. The Ewells are given the privilege to hunt out of season, so that the residents of the small town of Maycomb would not have to tolerate their continuous begging twenty-four hours a day for seven days a week. These two families show the respectability of hard workers or, in the Ewells case, can fill their peers with sorrow. The Cunninghams have pride, as for the Ewells, they have a natural like anarchist nature that will eventually haunt them and hurt others because of their lurid like attitude. The Cunningham's are very respected by the citizen's of Maycomb county. The Cunninghams took nothing, unless they could pay it back. Walter the youngest in the Cunningham clan was in the same class at school as Scout Finch the daughter of Atticus Finch. While in school, a fresh young new school teacher known as Miss Caroline did not know the reputations of the predecessors of these two children. In what looked like a good day for the rookie teacher quickly turned into complete disarray and a total adversity trip for the teacher. Walter Cunningham being raised in a very hard working environment was taught not to take what he could not pay back. The teacher obviously did not know about his background in the most minute way and embarrassed him extensively by almost demanding him to take some lunch money. Knowing that he could not pay Miss Caroline back in the way that she had in mind he knew that he could take the money which he wanted to take so bad. Walter eventually ended up eating with the Finch's. While eating at the Finch's he did not know what to do with all of the food that they have offered to him. For example he drowned his waffles in a lake of syrup. Bob Ewell's son, Burris was also faced in the same way but in an total opposite direction and purpose. The same day as the Walter Cunningham incident there was another incident concerning the Ewells. Burris had "cooties." A "cootie" came frantically flying out of the assumed Afro of Burris's hair, and scared the overseer of the class, Miss Caroline.
Walter is extremely polite. When offered a quarter to buy lunch for himself, Scout says she “...saw a muscle jump in his skinny jaw (Pg. 25).” Walter knows he cannot accept the quarter from Miss Caroline. He tries as hard as he can to politely decline her offer without being rude. Later, while describing the Cunninghams, Scout explains “The Cunninghams never took anything they can't pay back-no church baskets and no scrip stamps (Pg. 26).” The Cunninghams refuse to take charity from anyone. Walter knew he could never afford to repay Miss Caroline, so he refused her offer. Even when it would be wise for the Cunninghams to accept the generosity of others, they keep their head held high and manage with what they have. Unlike Walter, Burris has terrible manners. This is evident on the first day of school. After Miss Caroline told Burris to sit down, Little Chuck Little told her “He’s a mean one, a hard down mean one. He’s liable to start somethin’, and there’s some little folks here (Pg. 36).” Burris has a temper. Instead of handling the situation calmly, like Walter had, Burris’ first instinct is violence. Little Chuck Little says that it would not be surprising for him to physically attack the teacher, simply for telling him to sit down. After being told to leave, Walter told Miss Caroline “Report and be damned to ye! Ain’t no snot-nosed slut of a schoolteacher
...proached him, cursed him, spat on him, and threatened to kill him (Lee, 1960, p.359)" implies how rude the Ewells are to Atticus and other people in Maycomb who opposed them. Despite the poverty situations in both families, the Ewells behave differently from the Cunninghams. Lee wants to emphasize this by illustrating how there is even a social inequality within the white society and how characters behave differently towards eache others in Maycomb.
Despite all bad or good qualities anyone truly has, one should always try to fight for what’s right and not punish someone who truly doesn’t deserve it just to save themselves. This is evident between Walter Cunningham Sr. and Bob Ewell. Walter Cunningham Sr. is a poor farmer who has to pay those who he owes with supplies rather than money. He also happens to be in a mob, which is trying to kill Tom Robinson [the innocent black man] before his trial. Bob Ewell is part of Maycomb’s poorest family and is also a drunkard. Something both Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Ewell have in common is that they are both white men, who are not the wealthiest and are both trying to put Mr. Robinson in jail. Despite the similarities these characters may seem to have, there are a lot differe...
To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee sheds light upon the controversy of racism and justice in his classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. The notion of equality in accordance with the law and the pursuit of justice are hindered by racial discrimination. The essence of human nature is pondered. Are we inclined to be good or in the wrath of evil? The novel reflects on the contrasting nature of appearance versus reality.
In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is an ideal father, who sets a great example for his kids. A picture of Atticus is important to Scout because Atticus teaches Scout many important life lessons about life. Firstly, as Atticus talks to Scout about Miss. Stephanie, he states “if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. 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). Scout realizes that one can never feel someone’s pain, happiness, or glory until she looks at their point of view of things; she learns to consider other people’s situation and feelings. She also understands that she will never know what goes in other people’s lives, and therefore she cannot judge anyone. Scout matures as she learns to apply Atticus’ wise advice to understand Mrs. Dubose and Boo Radley, who are individuals that are misunderstood by the community. Furthermore, as Miss Maudie talks to Scout, she states “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets” (Lee, 46). Miss Maudie knows about Atticus’ personality quite well. Miss Maudie explains to Scout Atticus is a man with moral principles, he does what he believes is right even if others are not there to praise him. Through Atticus’ exemplary role, Scout understands the importance of integrity, and strong moral values. Finally, when Scout questions her father about the possible outcome of the trial, Atticus states “simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us to try to win” (Lee, 76). Atticus teaches Scout toleration, determination and moral courage. He already knows he is going to los...
“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (p.90) Miss. Maudie, one of the main protagonists in To Kill a Mockingbird, warns the young girl Scout that mockingbirds should not to be killed or hunted down because they represent those who are kind and innocent. So, on a broader spectrum, the term “to kill a mockingbird” symbolizes cruel and improper behavior towards people with good hearts and intentions. In the town of Maycomb, unethical behaviors, such as prejudice and gossip, are most commonly used against the “mockingbirds”. Three of those “mockingbirds” that are featured in this novel are Arthur “Boo” Radley, Tom Robinson, and Atticus Finch. Due to the depiction of the mockingbird symbol in the novel, the reader understands the consequences that immoral attitudes have towards those who are innocent and kindhearted.
None of them had done an honest day’s work in his recollection” (Lee 30). They had lack of education, no parental guidance and no morals. The Ewells had not gone to school for no more than a day and takes the rest of the school year off. They were “members of an exclusive society made up of Ewells” (Lee 30). They were looked as below the normal because Mr. Bob Ewell would “spend
In this world, everyone has an equal right; however, many people are getting falsely accused of acts they did not commit even though they are innocent. Mockingbirds, one of the most innocent birds, sing their heart out for people to enjoy, however, they getting killed every day. In this novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, there are many racial prejudices going on. Finches stand near the top of the social hierarchy, with Cunningham and Ewells underneath. Black community in Maycomb is even below the Ewells, even if they were a hard worker; they were not treated equally. The “mockingbirds” represents the idea of innocence, so killing a mockingbird is to destroy innocence. Throughout the book, many characters are considered a mockingbird. Three examples are Tom Robinson, Boo Radley, and Mr. Dolphus Raymond. Those three characters are innocent; they are kind and were never harmful to others. However, they were destroyed through contact of evil. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the mockingbirds symbolizes the idea of innocence, and Tom, Boo, and Mr. Raymond are considered one of it.
However, their lack of money was a result to Mr. Cunningham not wanting to accept assistance from anyone out of fear of causing them an inconvenience (Lee 20). Walter Cunningham is referred to as having hookworms and not having shoes (Lee 19). He is discussed between Scout and Miss Caroline when she realizes that he did not have a lunch and offers to loan him money (Lee 19,20). Scout explains, “‘The Cunninghams never took anything they can’t pay back-no church baskets no scrip stamps. They never took anything off of anybody, they get along on what they have. They don’t have much, but they get along on it’” (Lee 20). By this encounter, Scout hoped to educate Miss Caroline on the status of Walter’s family and states “‘That’s okay, ma’am, you’ll get to know all the country folks after a while” (Lee 20). Walter Cunningham, is also discussed between Scout and her Aunt Alexandra, later in the novel, after the encounter with him and Miss Caroline (Lee 223,224).Scout had hoped to defend Walter and is pleased with herself for the action she took (Lee 223). She thinks she should invite him to spend the night with them sometime, but quickly realizes that Aunt Alexandra has other views of the Cunninghams (Lee 223). Aunt Alexandra states, “‘But they’re not our kind of folks….you can scrub Walter Cunningham till he shines, you can put him in shoes and a new suit, but he’ll never be like
The Cunninghams are mistreated by part of the society in Maycomb. Aunt Alexandra, who mistreats them the most, is prejudiced toward the Cunninghams, she does not like them. She thinks that her reputation, and social status are going to be stained if Scout plays with Walter Jr.. Scout wants to invite Walter over, but Aunt Alexandra does not like Walter, she says that they are folks from different class. She thinks it is best if they do not see each other. She once talks to Scout about how different they are, "Because - he - is - trash, that's why you can't play with him.
In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the Ewells and the Cunninghams are two very different families. The first difference you can see is their difference in ethics. This is seen by the way each of them get along in life. The Cunninghams farm and get food legally and “they never take what they can’t give back”(20). The Ewells, on the other hand, “were permitted to hunt and trap out of season”(31). Meanwhile, the town turns a blind eye to it. Also there is a difference in appearance.The The Cunninghams are dressed well for what they have. Walter, although he doesn’t have shoes, “Has a clean shirt and neatly mended overalls”(19). While, on the other hand, the Ewells are nasty and disgusting. Scout claims that Burris “was the filthiest human
Harper Lee uses the characters of the Finches, Dolphus Raymond, and Bob Ewell to show this, since they are victimized by the townsfolk of Maycomb. The Finches are persecuted by their race and values, although white people held all power and they are a respected family; Dolphus Raymond is a good father to his mixed-race children, but he is viewed as trash and a drunk; Bob Ewell is a poor and immoral man, yet he receives as much persecution as the others. Hierarchies have existed in the past and present, and persecution among its ladders comes along with it. Yet no matter what position a person is, rich or poor, high or low, good or bad, he or she can still be a victim
The novel , To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee includes the contradictory characters Cunningham and Ewells . These families have identifiable similarities and differences
For example, the book says, “When a man spends all his relief checks on green whiskey his children have a way of crying from hunger pains.” (31). Another way the Cunninghams and Ewells are different is their way of life. The Cunninghams live more civilized and try to do their best to look good with the money they have. For example Walter comes to school with, “a clean shirt and neatly mended overalls.” (19). The Cunninghams also always pay everyone back however they can. In contrast, the Ewells “live like animals” (30) and take everything they can get. Burris Ewell, “was the filthiest human I had ever seen. His neck was dark grey, the backs of his hands were rusty, and his fingernails were black deep into the quick.” (27). The last way the Cunninghams and Ewells differ is their personality. The Cunningham's father is a courteous man, it shows this in the book when Atticus says, “As the Cunninghams had no money to pay a lawyer, they simply paid us with what they had.” (21). The kids are respectful to adults and always are thankful for what people give them. The Ewells, however, are very disrespectful. The kids are rude to their teachers and never do what the teacher tells them to
Growing up in Maycomb, Southern Alabama in the 1930s was not an easy thing. Amid a town of prejudice and racism, stood a lone house where equality and respect for all gleamed like a shining star amid an empty space. The house of Atticus Finch was that shining star. Jean Louise Finch, also known as “Scout”, is given the opportunity of being raised in this house by her father, Atticus. I stole this essay from the net. As she grows, Atticus passes down his values of equality and righteousness to Scout and her brother Jeremy Atticus Finch, also known as “Jem”. In “To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee, we see Scout learns many lessons about dealing with prejudice by observing the behavior of other characters in the story.