Harper Lee once said “People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for.” In a town such as Maycomb in the 1930s, opinions of people were generally based on skin color. That is to say, depending on how the person was raised and what they chose to support created a racial divide. Many of the characters’ opinions on the trial and racism were established from their family history, social class, and skin color. Harper Lee uses racism and the trial in To Kill A Mockingbird to help develop the characters of Atticus, Scout, Tom Robinson, and Bob Ewell.
The racism prevalent in the town of Maycomb develops the character of Atticus. Throughout the whole novel, the reader sees Atticus as not racist. The way he treats Calpurnia …show more content…
Throughout most of the novel, Scout is learning and accepting most of her views on racism from Atticus. One example of this is when Scout asks if she can visit Calpurnia’s house one day (167-168). This shows that she accepted Atticus’s non-prejudice attitude and she is accepting of all people, similar to Atticus. She also thinks of Calpurnia as part of the family and appreciates her. Scout learns to respect Calpurnia and other people throughout the novel. When Cecil Jacobs and Francis call Atticus a “n---lover”, she doesn’t fight them because Atticus tells her not to (110-111). This shows that she is loyal to Atticus and is sticking up for him. This also shows that Scout knows what is right and what’s not, and is brave enough to show other people that. A big change in Scout’s character happens after Tom is pronounced guilty (Lee 282). She realizes that even if the odds are in the black man’s favor, society’s means will “not allow” the black man to get away freely. They assume that just because he is black, that means he is also guilty. This shows Scout the unfairness of the world surrounding her and takes away some of her innocence. Scout says, “Naw, Jem, I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks” (Lee 304). This quote also shows Scout’s innocence and perspective on the world around her. The way Scout believes that everyone is equal comes from Atticus teaching her his important morals he gives throughout the novel. Racism in the novel does not only develop the character of
The racism prevalent in the town of Maycomb develops the character of Atticus. Throughout the whole novel, the reader sees Atticus as not racist. The way he treats Calpurnia …show more content…
Throughout most of the novel, Scout is learning and accepting most of her views on racism from Atticus. One example of this is when Scout asks if she can visit Calpurnia’s house one day (167-168). This shows that she accepted Atticus’s non-prejudice attitude and she is accepting of all people, similar to Atticus. She also thinks of Calpurnia as part of the family and appreciates her. Scout learns to respect Calpurnia and other people throughout the novel. When Cecil Jacobs and Francis call Atticus a “n---lover”, she doesn’t fight them because Atticus tells her not to (110-111). This shows that she is loyal to Atticus and is sticking up for him. This also shows that Scout knows what is right and what’s not, and is brave enough to show other people that. A big change in Scout’s character happens after Tom is pronounced guilty (Lee 282). She realizes that even if the odds are in the black man’s favor, society’s means will “not allow” the black man to get away freely. They assume that just because he is black, that means he is also guilty. This shows Scout the unfairness of the world surrounding her and takes away some of her innocence. Scout says, “Naw, Jem, I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks” (Lee 304). This quote also shows Scout’s innocence and perspective on the world around her. The way Scout believes that everyone is equal comes from Atticus teaching her his important morals he gives throughout the novel. Racism in the novel does not only develop the character of