Discrimination and Character
in TKAM
What is the
accepted practice of discrimination (how the majority of people believe it is
okay to treat someone; who you are allowed to interact with and how) in Lee’s fictionalised version of 1930s Alabama?
Make a list of
all the social rules you can think of that are mentioned in the book or part of
your understanding of the historical context.
Race:
If you are
black: e.g. you must sit at the back of the bus and use separate taps, toilets,
and schools; you must not offer to shake the hand of a white person.
If you are
white: e.g. you must not allow a black person to call you by your first name;
you must date and marry other white people.
Class:
If you are upper
class/hold a job: you have higher status, you use money
If you are lower
class/don’t hold a job: you keep to yourself,
don’t mingle with society, you barter
Gender:
If you are a
man: you must provide for your family; you ‘own’ the females in your family; you
must be physically tough and not emotional
If you are a
woman: you receive less respect and status in society; you must wear dresses
Work with your
partner to determine which characters reinforce (acts in accordance
with, or perpetuates racism or classism) these accepted practices of racial
discrimination or discrimination based on class, and which characters challenge
(acts or speaks out against discrimination, realises it is wrong, or is
shown to be moral or kind despite being the victim of discrimination).
For each
character, note down which type of discrimination they reinforce or challenge,
and examples of how they do this. NOTE: characters may both reinforce and
challenge accepted practice.
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Reinforces
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Challenges
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E.g.
Mayella Ewell: while Mayella challenges racial
discrimination somewhat by seeking out sexual relations with Tom Robinson,
her actions following their encounter help to reinforce these ideas. By going
along with her father’s
lie, Mayella assists in condemning a man for the colour of his skin. Because
Tom is black, she and her father believe his testimony won’t stand up against theirs in court.
Rather than admit she sought Tom out (and risk further social isolation),
Mayella passively allows society’s
preconceptions to condemn him.
Mayella
is also the victim of class discrimination. As a Ewell woman, she is left to
her father’s cruel whims, with
almost no outside contact or friendship and no prospects of a better life.
She is a prime example of the role social status and gender play in
determining the fate of Maycomb residents.
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E.g.
Atticus Finch: he acts against racial prejudice
and discrimination when he represents Tom Robinson to the best of his ability
despite society’s belief that his word means less than that of a white man/woman.
He also teaches Scout to see things from others’ perspective, and
not to judge someone until you know them (which can apply to not judging
based on skin colour). He also tells Scout not to use terms like ’n***er’.
Atticus’ gentle and respectful manner with the Cunninghams (allowing them
to pay with goods instead of money, treating Walter like an equal at the
dinner table) reveals that he also challenges his society’s class-based
discrimination.
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Aunt
Alexandra
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Calpurnia
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Bob
Ewell
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Miss
Maudie Atkinson
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Mrs
Dubose
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Jem
Finch
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Heck
Tate
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Mr.
Dolphus Raymond
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Link
Deas
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Mr
Underwood
Tom
Robinson
Mr.
Walter Cunningham
Water Cunningham
Scout Finch
