The effects of racism are life-altering. Prejudice is visible throughout the county of Maycomb. Tom Robinson, a black man, is falsely accused of raping a white girl and his fate is determined by a jury of white men. In the middle of the trial, Jem grows up and learns about the part that racism plays in the lives of the citizens of Maycomb county. In “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, racism affects and changes the people of Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930’s. Racism is detrimental to a society and this is shown when Tom is unjustly convicted of a crime he did not commit, Calpurnia and Dolphus Raymond live double lives to escape the prejudice, and Jem’s view of his home town is shattered. Due to racism, Tom Robinson is treated unfairly resulting
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For instance, although Calpurnia knows how to speak proper English and does when she is with white people, she speaks differently when she is with black people to fit in with them and explains to the Finch children when asked why, “That Calpurnia led a modest double life never dawned on me. The idea that she had a separate existence outside our household was a novel one… “Suppose you and Scout talked colored-folks’ talk at home it’d be out of place, wouldn’t it? Now what if I talked white-folks’ talk at church, and with my neighbors?’” (167). This shows that because of racism, Calpurnia does not want to feel out of place when she is around either white or black people, so she acts differently depending on who she is with. This also shows that the different races expect her to act a certain way. Similarly, Dolphus pretends to be a drunk when he is around white people, and he explains to the Finch children why when they find out he’s not actually drinking alcohol, “‘Wh- oh yes, you mean why do I pretend? Well, it’s very simple,’ he said. “Some folks don’t like the way I live…. I try to give ‘em a reason, you see. It helps folks if they can latch onto a reason.’” (268). This shows that Dolphus pretends to be a drunk, something he is not, to take attention away from the fact that he’s married to a black woman. This also shows that because of racism, others don’t understand …show more content…
As an example, Calpurnia takes the Finch children to her black church and her and the children are comforted by one of the members who says, “Lula stopped, but she said, ‘You ain’t got no business bringin' white chillun here- they got their church, we got our’n. It is our church, ain’t it, Miss Cal?’ Jem said, ‘Let’s go home Cal, they don’t want us here.’” (158). This shows that Jem and Scout encounter racism towards themselves by not being welcome in Cal’s church by Lula. Lula believes that since they are white, they shouldn’t be allowed in their church, which is showing racism towards Jem and Scout. This also shows that because of the racism Lula shows, Jem and Scout feel unwanted. In addition, after the trial, Jem realizes and is more aware of the racism that is in Maycomb when he says, “‘It’s like bein’ a caterpillar in a cocoon, that’s what it is,’ he said. ‘Like somethin’ asleep wrapped up in a warm place. I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, least that’s what they seemed like.’” (288). This shows that Jem’s view of Maycomb’s citizens has changed since he has become more aware of their racism. This also shows that Jem did feel safe and protected in his town, but no longer does. As Jem matures and grows up, he becomes less naive and sees the people of Maycomb for who they really
For instance, although Calpurnia knows how to speak proper English and does when she is with white people, she speaks differently when she is with black people to fit in with them and explains to the Finch children when asked why, “That Calpurnia led a modest double life never dawned on me. The idea that she had a separate existence outside our household was a novel one… “Suppose you and Scout talked colored-folks’ talk at home it’d be out of place, wouldn’t it? Now what if I talked white-folks’ talk at church, and with my neighbors?’” (167). This shows that because of racism, Calpurnia does not want to feel out of place when she is around either white or black people, so she acts differently depending on who she is with. This also shows that the different races expect her to act a certain way. Similarly, Dolphus pretends to be a drunk when he is around white people, and he explains to the Finch children why when they find out he’s not actually drinking alcohol, “‘Wh- oh yes, you mean why do I pretend? Well, it’s very simple,’ he said. “Some folks don’t like the way I live…. I try to give ‘em a reason, you see. It helps folks if they can latch onto a reason.’” (268). This shows that Dolphus pretends to be a drunk, something he is not, to take attention away from the fact that he’s married to a black woman. This also shows that because of racism, others don’t understand …show more content…
As an example, Calpurnia takes the Finch children to her black church and her and the children are comforted by one of the members who says, “Lula stopped, but she said, ‘You ain’t got no business bringin' white chillun here- they got their church, we got our’n. It is our church, ain’t it, Miss Cal?’ Jem said, ‘Let’s go home Cal, they don’t want us here.’” (158). This shows that Jem and Scout encounter racism towards themselves by not being welcome in Cal’s church by Lula. Lula believes that since they are white, they shouldn’t be allowed in their church, which is showing racism towards Jem and Scout. This also shows that because of the racism Lula shows, Jem and Scout feel unwanted. In addition, after the trial, Jem realizes and is more aware of the racism that is in Maycomb when he says, “‘It’s like bein’ a caterpillar in a cocoon, that’s what it is,’ he said. ‘Like somethin’ asleep wrapped up in a warm place. I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, least that’s what they seemed like.’” (288). This shows that Jem’s view of Maycomb’s citizens has changed since he has become more aware of their racism. This also shows that Jem did feel safe and protected in his town, but no longer does. As Jem matures and grows up, he becomes less naive and sees the people of Maycomb for who they really