In society, intolerance is a norm that attacks various ethnicities, races, and religions. This normality and its effects prevail in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. Intolerance towards gender forms unnecessary boundaries between Maycomb’s men and women. Additionally, intolerance towards social class creates separation amongst Maycomb’s residents. Furthermore, Racial intolerance creates unreasonable divisions among the residents of Maycomb. In short, the intolerance surrounding race, gender and social class ignores the segregation it creates, stressing the need of equity in Maycomb. Intolerance towards gender forms unnecessary boundaries between Maycomb’s men and women. For example, Mrs. Dubose says to Scout, “What are you
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Alexandra says to Scout, “They’re not our kind of folks… he[Walter Cunningham]—is—trash, that’s why you can't play with him” (301). The Finch are a family of high social status, whereas the Cunninghams are of lower status. This allows Alexandra to assume that they are not their kind of people; forcing Scout to stay away from them. This assumption creates unjustified divides between various social classes. Moreover, Scout says, “People like the Ewells lived as guests of the county in prosperity as well in the depths of a depression” (227). This means that because they are of low social status, they are privileged to things that the rest of Maycomb County is not. For example, the children do not have to go to school and they receive relief cheques. This disrupts the equal treatment of all people, automatically creating separation between the Ewells and the rest of society. Alexandra forces Atticus to say to Scout and Jem, “you are not from run-of-the-mill people… you are the product of several generations’ gentle breeding…” (177). Alexandra finds it intolerable that the Finch are not acting according their status, so she deems it her responsibility to shape Jem and Scout into that title. Acting differently because of social standing creates boundaries between the classes. All in all, Alexandra’s beliefs and the Ewell’s privileges shine light on the segregation caused by intolerance towards social class. In addition to social class, racial intolerance is a key aspect of the Maycomb
Alexandra says to Scout, “They’re not our kind of folks… he[Walter Cunningham]—is—trash, that’s why you can't play with him” (301). The Finch are a family of high social status, whereas the Cunninghams are of lower status. This allows Alexandra to assume that they are not their kind of people; forcing Scout to stay away from them. This assumption creates unjustified divides between various social classes. Moreover, Scout says, “People like the Ewells lived as guests of the county in prosperity as well in the depths of a depression” (227). This means that because they are of low social status, they are privileged to things that the rest of Maycomb County is not. For example, the children do not have to go to school and they receive relief cheques. This disrupts the equal treatment of all people, automatically creating separation between the Ewells and the rest of society. Alexandra forces Atticus to say to Scout and Jem, “you are not from run-of-the-mill people… you are the product of several generations’ gentle breeding…” (177). Alexandra finds it intolerable that the Finch are not acting according their status, so she deems it her responsibility to shape Jem and Scout into that title. Acting differently because of social standing creates boundaries between the classes. All in all, Alexandra’s beliefs and the Ewell’s privileges shine light on the segregation caused by intolerance towards social class. In addition to social class, racial intolerance is a key aspect of the Maycomb