Ways to gain power have been seen throughout history. The three main ways to obtain power is through race, gender and social class. To have power is to control one's own life as well as the lives of others. The idea of power is discussed in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Mayella Ewell is a poor white woman who accuses a black man of raping and beating her. Mayella is powerful in regards to her race; however, she is not powerful in regards to gender and social class. Since Mayella Ewell is a 19-year-old girl, she does not have any power from her gender. Atticus is asking how Mayella’s father treats her at home. She answers with, “‘He does tollable,’cept when--,’
‘Except when?’
Mayella looked at her father, who was sitting with his chair tipped against the railing. He sat up straight and waited for her to answer. …show more content…
Mayella says to Atticus while he is questioning her, “Long’s he keeps on callin’ me ma’am an sayin’ Miss Mayella. I don't hafta take his sass, I ain’t called upon to take it” (Lee C). Mayella Ewell has never been treated respectfully or nice, so when Atticus calls her “ma’am” and “Miss Mayella” she thinks he is making fun of her.. Scout reflects that Mayella “was even lonelier than Boo Radley, who had not been out of the house in twenty-five years. When Atticus asked had she any friends, she seemed not to know what he meant, then she thought he was making fun of her” (Lee E). Since her family was treated like trash, Mayella never had any friends and did not know what it was like. The Ewells live in the dump and get treated terribly, so Mayella never has any experiences of being well respected and having people that care about her. She cannot influence and control other peoples live because people look down on her, so she does not have power through social
‘Except when?’
Mayella looked at her father, who was sitting with his chair tipped against the railing. He sat up straight and waited for her to answer. …show more content…
Mayella says to Atticus while he is questioning her, “Long’s he keeps on callin’ me ma’am an sayin’ Miss Mayella. I don't hafta take his sass, I ain’t called upon to take it” (Lee C). Mayella Ewell has never been treated respectfully or nice, so when Atticus calls her “ma’am” and “Miss Mayella” she thinks he is making fun of her.. Scout reflects that Mayella “was even lonelier than Boo Radley, who had not been out of the house in twenty-five years. When Atticus asked had she any friends, she seemed not to know what he meant, then she thought he was making fun of her” (Lee E). Since her family was treated like trash, Mayella never had any friends and did not know what it was like. The Ewells live in the dump and get treated terribly, so Mayella never has any experiences of being well respected and having people that care about her. She cannot influence and control other peoples live because people look down on her, so she does not have power through social