Segregation. the action or state of setting someone or something apart from other people or things. In the nineteen hundred, this was quite common as one would often see the separation of two distinct races, (black and white) in everyday life. It became deeply ingrained in society with the legalization of the Jim Crow Laws, which promoted a society of racial oppression, and destroyed all efforts of a true democracy. It consisted of obligations which determined how each race was supposed to behave towards one another, predominately favoring the Caucasian race. If one tried to defy these rules, they were instantly persecuted for their 'immoral behavior '. Author Harper …show more content…
This is proven when Mayella Ewell and Dolphus Raymond become victims of the 'time-honored code ' because they both act on their …show more content…
The Jim Crow laws punish her for being unable to control who her heart is attracted to. It makes her feel like dirt for being human. At one point her desires are stronger than her obedience to the Jim Crow laws so she kisses Tom. She knows that it is forbidden but she kisses him anyway because she just wants to feel loved. However, the Jim Crow laws victimize her once again when her actions come with negative consequences. The consequences are glaring when Atticus gives a speech to save Tom Robinson from being falsely accused of rape when he says: “But in this case she was no child hiding stolen contraband: she struck out at her victim- of necessity she must put him away from her- he must be removed from her presence, from this world… She must put Tom Robinson away from her.” Mayella 's fear of what her abusive father will do to her and how society will condemn her is far greater than her morals and conscience. The Jim Crow laws put her in a position where she has to choose to save herself or Tom Robinson and being human she chooses herself. The laws make her feel ashamed and revolted of herself because she kisses a black man, so she has to remove from her presence what is making her feel that way. She is already considered 'white trash ' by the citizens of Maycomb and with this offense, she will be persecuted by them, so she tries to destroy the evidence by eliminating Tom Robinson. She successfully does and