The dictionary defines hypocrisy as “a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not possess”(“hypocrisy”). Harper Lee wanted to stand up against hypocrisy. In her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper lee depicts hypocrisy through characters that preach morals, but do not display those morals in their actions. This theme runs through many varying characters with different traits, classes, and attitudes.
In the book, a character named Ms. Gates is hypocritical in an obvious way. Ms. Gates is hypocritical because she displays racial prejudice, even though she tells her students, it is wrong. In chapter 15, Ms. Gates says to her students, “over here we don’t believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution comes from people who are prejudice”(Lee 329). Ms. Gates teaches her students that prejudice is wrong, but during the court case of Tom Robinson Scout overheard her saying racist comments about the black people. This shows preaching, but not practicing because Ms. Gates is preaching to the children that prejudice is wrong even though she was being prejudice. White characters were not the only ones who showed hypocrisy. …show more content…
A member of the church displays hypocrisy by expressing that segregation is wrong but getting upset when white children are at the church. In chapter 12, a member of the church says to Calpurnia, “You ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillun here—they got their church, we got our’n”(Lee 158). Lula tells Calpurnia that the white children are not welcome at the church because it is a black church. This shows hypocrisy because she wants to kick the children out due to their race despite the fact that the black community is against the white community segregating
In the book, a character named Ms. Gates is hypocritical in an obvious way. Ms. Gates is hypocritical because she displays racial prejudice, even though she tells her students, it is wrong. In chapter 15, Ms. Gates says to her students, “over here we don’t believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution comes from people who are prejudice”(Lee 329). Ms. Gates teaches her students that prejudice is wrong, but during the court case of Tom Robinson Scout overheard her saying racist comments about the black people. This shows preaching, but not practicing because Ms. Gates is preaching to the children that prejudice is wrong even though she was being prejudice. White characters were not the only ones who showed hypocrisy. …show more content…
A member of the church displays hypocrisy by expressing that segregation is wrong but getting upset when white children are at the church. In chapter 12, a member of the church says to Calpurnia, “You ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillun here—they got their church, we got our’n”(Lee 158). Lula tells Calpurnia that the white children are not welcome at the church because it is a black church. This shows hypocrisy because she wants to kick the children out due to their race despite the fact that the black community is against the white community segregating