Classism In To Kill A Mockingbird

To call something timeless is to say it is never changing. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a prime example, this piece of literature is something that stays with a reader throughout their entire life. To Kill a Mockingbird tackles many of the issues that are present in today’s society, issues, such as classism, and racism. Harper Lee also seamlessly incorporates a coming of age moment for each of the younger characters. To Kill a Mockingbird is considered timeless because it addresses the concepts of racism, classism, and growing up. These topics are will continue to be relevant throughout the years. Racism is a rather large and difficult topic that has swayed decisions and clouded the judgement of many people throughout history, To Kill a Mockingbird includes many examples of racism and characters fighting back against the concept of racism. One example is when the protagonist, Scout, is dragged into Aunt Alexandra’s Sunday refreshments party. Scout is then subjected to derogatory terms, as the ladies refer to Tom Robinson’s wife as “That darky’s wife” (Lee 310). Also, Mrs. Merriweather complains about her cook, Sophie, and how “there’s nothing worse than a sulky blacky.” (310). The ladies are making light of a very serious topic, …show more content…
Scout learns about this, and questions her brother, Jem. Jem explains that “There’s four kinds of folks in the world. There’s the ordinary kind, like us and the neighbors, there’s the kind like the Cunninghams out in the woods, there’s the kind like the Ewells down at the dump, and the Negroes” (302). Early in the novel Jem decides to invite Walter Cunningham over for dinner at the Finches. Scout still does not see Walter as an equal, exclaiming to Calpurnia “He ain’t company, Cal, he’s just a Cunningham” (33). This shows how strict the social hierarchy is, and how difficult it is to go against