To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a book revolving around the childhood experiences of Scout Finch, a female youth growing up at the time of the Great Depression in Maycomb, Alabama. Numerous characters in the book feel the effects of racism, both directly and indirectly. One individual who racial prejudice impacts is Tom Robinson, a black man accused of sexually molesting and physically assaulting a white woman, Mayella Ewell. Although he is a white man, Dolphus Raymond also feels the effects of inherent racism, as he falls in love with a black woman, has children with her, and society rejects him for his choices. Racial discrimination also affects Calpurnia, the Finch’s maid, because she is a black woman working for a white family,
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Dolphus Raymond is a white man who falls in love with a black woman and has children with her. Interracial relationships are seen as dishonourable in Maycomb, and for that reason, society shuns Dolphus Raymond and his family. “In a far corner of the square, the Negroes sat quietly in the sun… Mr. Dolphus Raymond sat with them” (Lee, 214). Mr. Raymond prefers the company of black people and ruins his reputation to be where he feels comfortable and accepted for his choices. “Some folks don’t- like the way I live. Now I could say the hell with ‘em, I don't care if they don’t like it. I do say I don’t care if they don't like it…. but I don’t say the hell with ‘em, see?” (Lee, 268) Mr. Raymond feigns being drunk whenever he is in town with white people because it “gives ‘em a reason… It helps folks if they can latch onto a reason. When I come into town, which is seldom… Folks can say Dolphus Raymond’s in the clutches of whiskey- that’s why he won’t change his ways. He can’t help himself, that’s why he lives the way he does” (Lee, 268). Dolphus Raymond knows that it would be unfathomable to white people as to why he falls in love with a black woman, so to ease their discomfort, he appears drunk whenever in their proximity. If the population believes he is drunk and that is why he acts in that certain way, then they can dismiss the circumstances of his relationship. Indeed, racism causes Mr. Dolphus Raymond to destroy his reputation so that the people of Maycomb can understand the motive behind his
Dolphus Raymond is a white man who falls in love with a black woman and has children with her. Interracial relationships are seen as dishonourable in Maycomb, and for that reason, society shuns Dolphus Raymond and his family. “In a far corner of the square, the Negroes sat quietly in the sun… Mr. Dolphus Raymond sat with them” (Lee, 214). Mr. Raymond prefers the company of black people and ruins his reputation to be where he feels comfortable and accepted for his choices. “Some folks don’t- like the way I live. Now I could say the hell with ‘em, I don't care if they don’t like it. I do say I don’t care if they don't like it…. but I don’t say the hell with ‘em, see?” (Lee, 268) Mr. Raymond feigns being drunk whenever he is in town with white people because it “gives ‘em a reason… It helps folks if they can latch onto a reason. When I come into town, which is seldom… Folks can say Dolphus Raymond’s in the clutches of whiskey- that’s why he won’t change his ways. He can’t help himself, that’s why he lives the way he does” (Lee, 268). Dolphus Raymond knows that it would be unfathomable to white people as to why he falls in love with a black woman, so to ease their discomfort, he appears drunk whenever in their proximity. If the population believes he is drunk and that is why he acts in that certain way, then they can dismiss the circumstances of his relationship. Indeed, racism causes Mr. Dolphus Raymond to destroy his reputation so that the people of Maycomb can understand the motive behind his