Somewhere, I had received the impression that Fine Folks were people who did the best they could with the sense they had, but Aunt Alexandra was of the opinion [] that the longer a family had been squatting on one patch of land the finer it was (Lee 143). Even the children in Maycomb are affected by the beliefs of their elders. For example, a black person who supported Tom Robinson, but was at the bottom of the social pyramid, will feel as though the other classes who were above him won only based on their class, which would be true, considering the evidence. When her teacher Miss Caroline, who is originally from Northern Alabama, offers Scouts classmate Walter money to buy lunch, he rejects it. I agree that usually people who believe themselves to be higher than others treat the "lower" people with scorn. For example, someone in the upper class may believe that anyone in the classes below them are inadequate. To Kill a Mockingbird Short Answer Chapter 14 & 15. A short introduction to this study will serve as a basis for the discussion of the society of Maycomb. They struggle to survive to such an extent that Walter jr. does not wear any shoes on the first day of school. What does Aunt Alexandra mean when she says "somebody just walked over my grave" in To Kill a Mockingbird? It's true that those in the upper class strongly look down upon those in the lower class of Maycomb society, otherwise known as the blacks. When reading To Kill a Mockingbird, Elias understood that the novel illustrated his theory and widened his initial model. Apart from the setting of the novel, readers and critics were quick to detect other similarities between Harper Lee and the narrator, the six-year-old girl, Scout Finch (whose real name is Jean Louise). When Scout grows up, everyone knows about the peculiarities of other families. And last of all, sense of justice, the sense of justice shown by Judge Taylor is different towards Mr. Ewell than it would be towards Heck Tate as he is a police officer and Mr. Ewell is a low class scum. Please Already a member? This can change how they see themselves because they are constantly told that they are trash and this can make them see themselves as worthless. This particular case had a heavy unwritten social component to it. Rachel what you said is very true. for a group? Why does Dolphus Raymond hide Coca-Cola in a brown paper bag? Your analysis of the class structure is fairly accurate, as well. Ace your assignments with our guide to To Kill a Mockingbird! Atticus worked and had no time, interest, or understanding of the world of adult women in Maycomb, so he couldn't teach Scout the ways of women's society. Latest answer posted April 15, 2021 at 5:47:22 PM. Although slavery had been abolished, there was still segregation. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! 3.1 The Ordinary Kind Most people in Maycomb base their opinion about peoples action on social classes. Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts. Since he is black and in the lowest class, no one treats him with respect. Scout later explains, [T]he present generation of people who had lived side by side for years and years, were utterly predictable to one another: they took for granted attitudes, character shading, even gestures, as having been repeated in each generation and refined by time (Lee 145). Atticus refrains from judgment and tries to understand everyone. This way, she singles him out from the rest of the mob. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. A+ Student Essay: Boo Radley's Role in Scout and Jem's Lives and Development, Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird Background. Quiz Course 105K views Scout compares the hand of Cal to the size and hardness of a bed slat. Atticus is a wealthy lawyer that comes from a wealthy family including the rest of the Finches' and Aunt Alexandra. I agree that Aunt Alexandra didn't let Scout play with Walter for the reasons he's not at the same social class as they are and he's considered white trash. It's unfair just because someone is in a lower class they don't get a fair trial. This shows that he is a good-hearted and upright boy with pride and principles like the rest of his family. Jem and Scout were raised by their father, who is the complete opposite of his sister. Social hierarchy and prejudices dictate peoples futures a lot. Racism in the white South was ingrained in people of Maycomb. Every town the size of the Maycomb had families like the Ewells, Scout says, implying that the economic inequality is endemic to the region. You have good ideas Eve. Thereafter, a detailed discussion of the characters of Jem and Scout will be offered. What does Atticus mean when he says "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we startedis no reason for us not to try to win"in To Kill a Mockingbird? He explains, Mr Cunninghams basically a good man, [] he just has his blind spots along with the rest of us (Lee 173). Aunt Alexandra fits well into the world of the Maycomb women because of her ideas on family breeding and the proper handling of maids and other domestic help. What do Atticus and Aunt Alexandra argue about? How do the people of Maycomb begin to treat Atticus and the children? As the readers understand, Scout learned how to look at other people from her father Atticus, who also sees people as individuals and does not judge them simply by their name or background. I agree with what Biren has said. Elias, Established l). Atticus 4.1 His Values 4.2 The Relation to his Children 5. Alexandra comes to Maycomb to help her brother through this difficult time, though she acts in a reserved way and seems to show little compassion and understanding. Other wealthy people of Maycomb have stable jobs and usually live on the same street and area in the community. The Finches most important neighbors include Miss Maudie Atkinson, a widowed woman who grew up with Atticus and whom Jem and Scout like most of all adults in Maycomb besides their father. Lee 21). Therefore, it was easier for the established people to get organized against the Outsiders. People have different perspectives of themselves and the outside world. They lead an isolated life: Scout notices that the Radleys, welcome anywhere in town, [keep] to themselves, a predilection unforgivable in Maycomb (Lee 10). Because of the strict class system of Maycomb County and the extreme prejudice of the town, Tom Robinson was falsely accused for committing a crime. For example Aunt Alexandra views Calpurnia not as a close member of the family, but simply a worker, all because she is black. People don't care about the quality of a person but more of where they are on the social hierarchy. Social hierarchy also affects Aunt Alexandra's behavior towards the Cunninghams. I like the fact you used examples in your paragraph to get the reader to understand better :). You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. She was never bored, and given the slightest chance she would exercise her royal prerogative: she would arrange, advise, caution, and warn" (129). Easy. How do the men know that Mr. Tate wont be coming to help Atticus? TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. The Established had lived in Winston Parva for generations; their families had known each other for a long time; they shared the same norms (cf. Elias, Established xxii), memories, sympathies, and antipathies (cf. The society of Maycomb is of major significance to Scout and her older brother Jem. The social hierarchy of Maycomb affects people's moral, behaviors, and sense of justice by people lower on the scale usually are subject to more harsh responses than those higher on the scale. 3.2 The Cunninghams She tells Scout, [T]heyre not our kind of folks, and continues, The thing is, you can scrub Walter Cunningham till he shines, you can put him in shoes and a new suit, but hell never be like Jem (Lee 247). The black people do not rank high in the social pyramid, for they cannot move to a higher level because of the segregation between races. It causes people to rethink their purpose in life and/or make them resentful to the upper classes. The Ewells will play a crucial part in the course of the novel. The social hierarchy of Maycomb largely impacts people's morals,behaviorsandsense of justice. 9. Latest answer posted November 20, 2020 at 10:58:48 AM. The usual Maycomb way is to socialize with neighbors and to carry on small talk every now and then. Like their father, whom they call "Atticus" rather than the traditional address of "Daddy," the children hold no racial or social biases. He added another chapter titled Das Maycomb-Modell to later editions of the study. However, I don't that you class is dependent on how others see you, as I believe there are certain constraints to what is required to be in a certain class, and that is determined by the community, not just yourself. However, since Tom Robinson is lower than they are, he is convicted automatically when the day of the trial comes. https://www.enotes.com/topics/to-kill-a-mockingbird/chara https://www.enotes.com/topics/to-kill-a-mockingbird/themes. She says that Scout needs a feminine influence. These short scenes show that it is difficult for outsiders to understand native Maycombians[1]. Why does Aunt Alexandra move into the Finch household? By doing this, Aunt Alexandra shows Scout by example how to be a hostess, make the refreshments, and behave in polite society. The social hierarchy of Maycomb highly affects the whites morals due to the fact they feel like they are overpowering the blacks. Aunt Alexandra fits into Maycomb's society "like a hand in a glove" because she subscribes to traditional southern culture and participates in a variety of social events. Aunt Alexandra wants to fire Calpurnia and Atticus does not. Bob Ewell Bob Ewell is the useless, brutal father of a brood of children who have to live in extreme filth and shabbiness; with hardly any food to eat, surrounded by poverty and disease thanks only to him. I fully agree with your statement, the blacks are seen as a threat, less, and poor. Also, as blacks are also part of the lowest class in the pyramid, they are also treated with no respect, and to the Ewells, they are the lowest of the low since they are black. What is Atticus's response? This is made clear on Scouts first day of school. To all parties present and participating in the life of the county, Aunt Alexandra was one of the last of her kind: she had river-boat, boarding-school manners; let any moral come along and she. Describe Aunt Alexandra. Gossip, "backstabbing," self-servitude, rudeness, and a common lack of morality was evident in most. Scout clarifies Aunt Alexandra's way of life as follows: "Aunt Alexandra was one of the last of her kind: she had river-boat, boarding-school manners; let any moral come along and she would uphold it; she was born in the objective case; she was an incurable gossip . Tags: Question 9 . As such, when one commits a crime, one is showing an extreme disregard for justice and a lack of morals in certain areas. Approved by eNotes Editorial Team Tina Bishop, M.A. The one the reader sees in the book is hosted by Aunt Alexandra at the Finches' house. It makes you change your perspective on others. The fictional town of Maycomb, in the fictional Maycomb County, seems intended not to represent an exact location in the real world, but a kind of small Southern town that existed in the 1930s. Chapter 13 1. He set up his law practice in Maycomb. Your points are all true, as the Ewells are in the lowest class in the social pyramid, they are treated like "white trash" and have no money because they can't keep a job. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Answered by judy t #197809 on 3/31/2014 5:46 PM Aunt Alexandra is the "perfect" Southern lady, as Atticus' sister, she often sees people differently from the way Atticus views them. For example, Aunt Alexandra being a rather upper class person, is not really superior per se, but expects Scout to be much more sophisticated and lady-like. Conclusion Works Cited I think that the social pyramid in Maycomb affects the characters morals by changing them so they match what the society thinks is true. Why does Mayella Ewell lie on the witness stand? The social hierarchy of Maycomb has a profound effect on the behavior of most characters in the novel. Tom received an unfair trial and ultimately died because of the color of his skin. 1 / 24 Flashcards Learn Test Match Created by Gwenn_Higgins Teacher Terms in this set (24) One-Shot Finch was "the deadest shot in Maycomb County in his time." What does Miss Maudie reveal about Atticus' old nickname? eNotes Editorial, 4 May 2021, https://www.enotes.com/topics/to-kill-a-mockingbird/questions/what-does-scout-mean-when-she-says-aunt-alexandra-172835. She . Why did Dill actually run away from home? Scout also explains some to the reader. Jem and Scout were also able to view Aunt Alexandria's behaviors through children's eyes, which usually see only black and white, wrong or right. Within this statement, Scout not only identifies Maycomb as a sleepy little town but also refers to the poverty at that time. The Society of Maycomb Because Aunt Alexandria seemed no better than the general population (and was close to a main topic of gossip," she was included by those around her. They could not easily overlook her failures and "sins.". She opposes Scouts wish, because the Cunninghams are trash in her eyes. Due to their social ranking, Scout is not allowed to be friends with Walter. First of all, Scout is a tomboy who likes to dress in overalls, beat up boys, and hang out with Jem and Dill during the summer. The social hierarchy affects how people behave and how they respond to others behavior. Register In another description of Maycomb, Scout tells the readers that new people are unlikely to settle in Maycomb: As a result of the Reconstruction rule and the Great Depression, the town grew inward (Lee 144). To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in Maycomb, Alabama during 19331935. He believes in the tolerance of others, which allows him to judge everyone evenly with no prejudices. [1] The origin of the word Maycombian lies in Chapter 2 of To Kill a Mockingbird. The impact of this class structure is especially evident in the trial of Tom Robinson, a Maycomb black man. The first to be analyzed will be the strata of the Finches and their neighbors. You make a very good point about higher-to-lower caste ignorance, Nicky. An important part of To Kill a Mockingbird revolves around a trial between Bob Ewell and Tom Robinson, and to me, the correlation between class and crime is plain. It changes how people act and what they think. Log in or Aunt Alexandra has decided (and convinced Atticus) it would be best for the family if she stays with them for "a while," which worries Scout even though she knows there's nothing to be done. Social and racial differences are not matters of crucial importance, either. Elias, Established xxxviii ff.). Although there is no hint in the text, the Cunninghams have probably more than one child and they produce just enough to get by (cf. You can not live as a lower class citizen, and act like a middle class one. Suspicion and class prejudice also play a very large role and involves the Radley's and many other families among Maycomb. Du Boise said "education is the key" to getting out of the social hierarchy. Racism in the white South was ingrained in people of Maycomb. What does Aunt Alexandra suggest? As opposed to the Established, the Outsiders were strangers not only to the old residents but also to each other and, in consequence, they lacked the cohesion the Established manifested (cf. Alexandra believes strongly in "good families", believes that the Finches fit this description, and although she doesn't state it directly, she is a firm believer in the social structure of the Old South, particularly as it applies to whites' superiority over blacks. The people with the most power tend to look down on the less fortunate when they are not that different besides the amount of money that they have. Harper Lee went on to win a Pulitzer Price for the novel in 1961. The behavior is affected greatly by the social hierarchy of Maycomb, and is shown in the story when Bob Ewell is bad to his daughter because he lives in the lower class which is more so ghetto than nice and proper. Social "norms" were written in stone and, although not laws, carried heavy unwritten penalties for breaking. Keep up. Most people just care about how much money you have or what social class you are in. He does not subscribe to superficial standards like his sister and allows Jem and Scout to express their individuality. . We should remember that when Harper Lee wrote the novel in the late 1950s, the Great Depression was over, but Jim Crow laws were still present in substantial portions of the American South. There was no hurry, for there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy and no money to buy it with, nothing to see outside the boundaries of Maycomb County (Lee 6). . Click the card to flip Flashcards Learn Test Match Created by RealJstewart Terms in this set (115) Where did Atticus Finch set up his law practice? How does the members of Maycomb treat Aunt Alexandria? In this quote, Scout means that Aunt Alexandra conforms perfectly to Maycomb's society because she appreciates traditional southern culture and subscribes to the same prejudiced ideology as the locals. For the natives of Maycomb, the mentioning of Walters last name is enough to explain the whole matter. Your social class decides your attitude and behavior, especially when around people of different class. The Cunninghams are very poor as the prices for crops and other agricultural products have fallen heavily as a result of the Great Depression. An example of this is the Ewell's. I especially like your example with the Ewells, education greatly effects social hierarchy, after all knowledge is power. During Walter jr.s first appearance in the novel, it becomes clear that the Cunninghams are honorable, proud people, no matter how poor they are or how little they are able to take care of themselves. This greatly effects his trial since he is at the bottom and everyone else is above him. Yes, your social class decides your attitude and behavior, especially when around people of different class. Sullivan). The Ewells are white, but are very disrespectful, so they are put in the lowest class. The answer to those questions are their social classes. What role does Calpurnia play in the family and in the novel? This ultumatley leads to his death. Asked by bridget i #363259 on 3/31/2014 4:59 PM . Maycomb is also sharply geographically divided along class lines. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Elias, Established xxii). Analysis of Calpurnia From To Kill a Mockingbird Calpurnia is a unique character who functions in. However, Atticus has taught his children that a person should not be judged by his family name and his relatives but, instead, be evaluated on his behavior and how he treats other people. These years place the events of the novel squarely within two important periods of American history: the Great Depression and the Jim Crow era. Atticus specialized in the law. The top of the social pyramid commonly seems unaware of other's plight and do not have a clear sense of justice for lower castes.The middle class can vary in how they act. Rate the pronunciation difficulty of Maycomb. This is true, that depending what class you're in, your beliefs become prejudiced about other classes surrounding yours. June 27, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 The Children 5.1 Jem 5.2 Scout 6. Atticuss sister comes to live with him and his children shortly before the trial against Atticuss client Tom Robinson begins. Atticus even know that he would not win. To some people in Maycomb, blacks are seen as more of a disgrace than the Ewells due to their race. Most people in town look at people in the lower or working class, like the Ewells, Cunninghams and black people, differently. This is very true. She knew who all of the "right folks" were, which families to stay away from, what beliefs to have about each and every individual in the town, based on generations of stereotyping and gossip, and what one needed to do to better "fit in" in Maycomb. How do the people of Maycomb begin to treat Atticus and the children? Contact us I also agree that Tom Robinson is innocent and he would not be found guilty if he was white. The Established, though, were forced to adhere to some norms of behaviour, too, such as avoiding any contact with the Outsiders. Also lower class people have different morals than others. Apart from them, the novel does not mention any other members of this group. What does Mrs. Dubose teach Scout and Jem? They are civil to them because they think they are "proper,"and are racist to their class. Good points you made here. I need the description of him as of the end of chapter 11, when he's between 10 and 12 years old. They withdraw from society and close the doors and windows in order to be left alone. The social hierarchy in Maycomb affects how society acts, believe, and think about justice simply because everyone does what some one else does. Everything else doesn't matter. Lee draws a large panorama of the society by presenting many characters from different social strata (cf. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. For example in TKAM Aunt Alexandra has lots of ego because she thinks of herself with a higher opinion than Atticus does.
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