In the novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, the Cunninghams are portrayed as poor but polite people while the Ewells are presented as immoral and greedy as a result of their poverty through each family’s actions and ethics. The Cunninghams are cordial people, despite their social status in the town of Maycomb. For example, on page 206, after scout mentions his son’s name, Walter Cunningham is swayed by her innocence and states, “‘I’ll tell him you said hey, little lady.’” Although originally coming to the jailhouse on the intention of beating up Tom Robinson, Mr. Cunningham is able to put aside these ambitions. Through his decision to leave Tom alone, the author reveals how even though Mr. Cunningham is flawed, he still has compassion for others. Also, on page 27, when Atticus is informing Scout about the Cunningham’s entailment, he states that their family will be paid differently, including a “load of stovewood…sack of hickory nuts…crate of smilax and holly, [and] a crokersack full of turnip greens.” Despite being extremely poor and even unable to feed his family three meals a day, Mr. Cunningham still has the manners to pay Atticus back even though he said not to. Mr. Cunningham’s persistence to repay Atticus shows that he has the decency to thank others for their duties even at the expense of his family. Furthermore, on page 297, while reviewing the court case, Atticus states that one of the Cunninghams was in the jury and was requesting “an outright acquittal.” The Cunninghams,
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Through these two polar reactions, Harper Lee attempts to tell readers that there is always hope in the face of adversity, and to learn from the faults of the Ewells and to mimic the humbleness of the
Through these two polar reactions, Harper Lee attempts to tell readers that there is always hope in the face of adversity, and to learn from the faults of the Ewells and to mimic the humbleness of the