People, based on their widely different backgrounds and experiences, all have their own perspectives of how the world should be. In To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, readers look at many different characters who possess their individual, unique viewpoints that are presented in distinct ways. Lee’s writing also allows readers to explore how the different beliefs of the characters, specifically Miss Maudie, Mrs. Dubose, Atticus, and the general town population, interact and at times, conflict with one another. And it is with these descriptions and interactions that Lee demonstrates a pattern of bias in favor of liberalism. Lee frequently describes characters and their actions in a way that predisposes the reader to favor liberal characters
…show more content…
For example, Miss Maudie can be described as a person who is more open to change than some of the conservatives in the town, who she herself refers to as “foot-washing Baptist[s]” (Lee, 59). In contrast with others, she is very open to new ideas and accepting of other ways of thinking. Miss Maudie is also a woman who is described very amiably as someone who the children have “considerable faith” in and who they consider a friend (Lee, 59). In contrast, the children portray Mrs. Dubose, a conservative who hates “nigger-lovers [sic],” as the most repulsive woman they have ever seen, (Lee, 144). She is “vicious” to Scout, calling her an “ugly girl” and generally tormenting both Jem and Scout whenever they pass by (Lee, 133). Because of these descriptions, readers consider Miss Maudie more positively than they regard Mrs. Dubose. From the view of Scout, the protagonist, Miss Maudie is presented much more pleasantly than the base Mrs. Dubose, which in turn causes readers to admire her more. By creating a bias in the reader towards certain characters, it could be said that Lee also engenders a sense of camaraderie between these characters and readers. In writing characters with this pattern of presentation bias, Lee sways readers not only to favor more liberal characters, but by extension, to view their opinions more popularly as
For example, Miss Maudie can be described as a person who is more open to change than some of the conservatives in the town, who she herself refers to as “foot-washing Baptist[s]” (Lee, 59). In contrast with others, she is very open to new ideas and accepting of other ways of thinking. Miss Maudie is also a woman who is described very amiably as someone who the children have “considerable faith” in and who they consider a friend (Lee, 59). In contrast, the children portray Mrs. Dubose, a conservative who hates “nigger-lovers [sic],” as the most repulsive woman they have ever seen, (Lee, 144). She is “vicious” to Scout, calling her an “ugly girl” and generally tormenting both Jem and Scout whenever they pass by (Lee, 133). Because of these descriptions, readers consider Miss Maudie more positively than they regard Mrs. Dubose. From the view of Scout, the protagonist, Miss Maudie is presented much more pleasantly than the base Mrs. Dubose, which in turn causes readers to admire her more. By creating a bias in the reader towards certain characters, it could be said that Lee also engenders a sense of camaraderie between these characters and readers. In writing characters with this pattern of presentation bias, Lee sways readers not only to favor more liberal characters, but by extension, to view their opinions more popularly as