In To Kill a Mockingbird, Mayella is portrayed as a powerful character. What is power? In Mayella’s eyes, power means to have control over other people and her own life. Mayella is under the belief that her actions are powerful. I believe that looks are deceiving and that Mayella’s eyes are deceiving her. Mayella is a part of the most dominant race, but her low class life and her weaker gender keep her from having power. What Mayella is seeing as power, I see as a weakness. In the 1930’s, race was a very controversial issue. At this time, the more dominant race was Caucasian. Even though African Americans had just recently been freed, there were laws that had been put specifically in place to restrict them from what now are considered day-to-day
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Men are stronger and hold all the power when it comes to gender. When men are drinking, in their minds they become especially strong. Due to Mayella’s lack of power, she is subjected to abuse. Women are easily intimidated and broken down by the more powerful source. Mr. Ewell is an example of a more powerful source. He verbally abused his daughter Mayella by calling her a “goddamn whore”. When Mayella was in court against Tom Robinson, she provided clear evidence that she is the weaker gender. While on the stand she was asked an intimidating question “‘Do you love your father, Miss Mayella?’... ‘I mean is he good to you, is he easy to get along with?’” Mayella responded with “He does tollable, ‘cept when”. Mr. Bob Ewell, who at the time, was viewing the trial from the front row became very anxious and fidgety in his seat. He glared at Mayella and crossed his arms. Crossing his arms is a sign of intimidation. He wants to control Mayella. Atticus continued on, “Except when?” Mayella then looked at her father. This was a sign that Mayella had given up all power to her father. After a moment to let the question sink in, Atticus posed the real question “Except when he’s drinking?” Mayella nodded. If it were not already concluded from the previous evidence, this statement and reaction confirm that Mayella has given up all power and may possibly be abused at home by the more powerful
Men are stronger and hold all the power when it comes to gender. When men are drinking, in their minds they become especially strong. Due to Mayella’s lack of power, she is subjected to abuse. Women are easily intimidated and broken down by the more powerful source. Mr. Ewell is an example of a more powerful source. He verbally abused his daughter Mayella by calling her a “goddamn whore”. When Mayella was in court against Tom Robinson, she provided clear evidence that she is the weaker gender. While on the stand she was asked an intimidating question “‘Do you love your father, Miss Mayella?’... ‘I mean is he good to you, is he easy to get along with?’” Mayella responded with “He does tollable, ‘cept when”. Mr. Bob Ewell, who at the time, was viewing the trial from the front row became very anxious and fidgety in his seat. He glared at Mayella and crossed his arms. Crossing his arms is a sign of intimidation. He wants to control Mayella. Atticus continued on, “Except when?” Mayella then looked at her father. This was a sign that Mayella had given up all power to her father. After a moment to let the question sink in, Atticus posed the real question “Except when he’s drinking?” Mayella nodded. If it were not already concluded from the previous evidence, this statement and reaction confirm that Mayella has given up all power and may possibly be abused at home by the more powerful