Atticus states, “son, I have no doubt that you’ve been annoyed by your contemporaries about me lawing for niggers…” (Lee, pg. 138). This illustrates how drastic the issues of racism are in the town of Maycomb, that even Jem and Scout’s fellow piers follow the viewpoints of their parents. Atticus attempts to explain to his children that a:
“nigger-lover is just one of those terms that don’t mean anything-ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody’s favouring Negros over and above themselves. Its slipped into usage with some people like ourselves, when they want a common, ugly term to label somebody” (Lee, pg. 144).
This points to the ignorance of the Ewell’s, as well as the all-white jury that is present during the trail. Those who were not in favour of Tom Robinson, help to emphasize the lack of dignity towards Robinson and the black community in general. Since differences are prevalent in all individuals, people begin to have judgements towards people who are considered to be ‘different’, thus leading to discrimination, classism, etc,.
The readers receive this interpretation of discrimination on a grander scale when character such as the Ewell’s are compared to Atticus. Here readers see the correct form of human behaviour, which is depicted through Atticus as he …show more content…
Atticus even runs into hatred by individuals in his own family. For example, his own nephew, Francis, voices out his views as he states to Scout:
If Uncle Atticus lets you run around with stray dogs, that’s his own business, like grandma says, so it ain’t your fault. I guess it ain’t your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I’m here to tell you certainly does mortify the rest of the family-‘’ (Lee, pg, 110).
This proves that Francis is possibly receiving his racism from his father Jack, since children usually carry the viewpoints of their parents. Therefore, Atticus is receiving a lack of support by his family even by the family members who seem to be supportive. Regardless, Atticus does the right thing, and continues to fight for the innocence of Tom Robinson even though he is quite certain that his case will fail. Overall, Atticus’ positive human nature is strong enough to overstep the hatred from the town as well as the hatred expressed by his own