Prejudice has always been present. Whether against blacks, Jews, Christians, or any other group, prejudice has always been around. Maycomb is no different. The town is full of prejudice. However, there are many citizens who are capable of making a difference. Some like Mr. Underwood and Dolphus Raymond don’t make much of an effect, but fortunately, Atticus Finch is able to help. Maycomb is prejudiced and it needs to change. Maycomb is the land of the judgmental and the home of the prejudiced. The town is run on a hierarchy: “‘There’s the ordinary kind like us…the kind like the Ewells down at the dump, and the N*s’” (Lee 302). Even Scout, a young girl, can figure out that “there [is] indeed a caste system in Maycomb” (175). Stereotypes are
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People are nothing more than the group they are put into by their peers: “Everybody in Maycomb…[has] a Streak” (172). Citizens, and especially the women in town, are also known to be hypocritical. After finishing a long and dramatic explanation of how fortunate the townsfolk are and how they need to help out the needy, Mrs. Merriweather was able to recount her conversation with her black worker. Mrs. Merriweather took it upon herself to let Sophie know that moping around and feeling sorry for her people was “‘simply not being a Christian’” (310). Instead of helping out the needy like she had just preached about, she decided to act based on Maycomb’s hierarchy. Then a dear friend of Mrs. Merriweather decided to back her up and say that the people up North who treat blacks as normal people are “‘hypocrites…born hypocrites’” (313). Much of the hypocrisy in Maycomb is tied to racism, another large issue in this town. Children are taught at a very young age …show more content…
First of all, Atticus is not racist. He believes all people should be treated equally, no matter what their skin color: “‘I do my best to love everybody’” (144). He stands up for everyone that is being treated unfairly. Even when a mob of large men went to attack Tom, Atticus risked his life for him and “remained where he was” (202). Another thing Atticus understands is how stereotypes are no more than people’s opinions. Scout was constantly being told to act more lady-like, but Atticus told her “he didn’t mind [her] much the way [she] was” (108). Also, even after hearing years and years of gossip about people, Atticus still never stopped telling people “you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them” (374). Finally, Atticus is always Atticus. He never strays from his morals or goes against his preaching: “‘He’s the same in the courtroom as he is on the public streets’” (266). Atticus Finch’s wonderful personality and strong morals allow him to work towards ending
People are nothing more than the group they are put into by their peers: “Everybody in Maycomb…[has] a Streak” (172). Citizens, and especially the women in town, are also known to be hypocritical. After finishing a long and dramatic explanation of how fortunate the townsfolk are and how they need to help out the needy, Mrs. Merriweather was able to recount her conversation with her black worker. Mrs. Merriweather took it upon herself to let Sophie know that moping around and feeling sorry for her people was “‘simply not being a Christian’” (310). Instead of helping out the needy like she had just preached about, she decided to act based on Maycomb’s hierarchy. Then a dear friend of Mrs. Merriweather decided to back her up and say that the people up North who treat blacks as normal people are “‘hypocrites…born hypocrites’” (313). Much of the hypocrisy in Maycomb is tied to racism, another large issue in this town. Children are taught at a very young age …show more content…
First of all, Atticus is not racist. He believes all people should be treated equally, no matter what their skin color: “‘I do my best to love everybody’” (144). He stands up for everyone that is being treated unfairly. Even when a mob of large men went to attack Tom, Atticus risked his life for him and “remained where he was” (202). Another thing Atticus understands is how stereotypes are no more than people’s opinions. Scout was constantly being told to act more lady-like, but Atticus told her “he didn’t mind [her] much the way [she] was” (108). Also, even after hearing years and years of gossip about people, Atticus still never stopped telling people “you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them” (374). Finally, Atticus is always Atticus. He never strays from his morals or goes against his preaching: “‘He’s the same in the courtroom as he is on the public streets’” (266). Atticus Finch’s wonderful personality and strong morals allow him to work towards ending