Race and Class to a Child in To Kill a Mocking Bird
Race and Class to a Child in "To Kill a Mocking Bird"
To Kill a Mocking Bird explores the exuberant humour and the irrational attitudes towards race and class, through the young eyes of two Maycomb County children, Jem and Scout Finch. Jem and Scout endure the pressure to comprehend the prejudice, violence and hypocrisy of Maycomb County. The children are influenced by many different characters, their father, the great Atticus Finch being the more prominent. Ironically Boo Radley, a Maycomb county resident who has been burdened by the majority of folks in town also has a great influence on Jem and Scout and the growth of their characters. There is also the woman of the household Calpurnia, an African American nanny who also contributes to the emotional development of both characters.
Atticus Finch is not only a role model for Scout and Jem, but also for the entire community of Maycomb. His social status is endorsed by his occupation as a lawyer and his level of education, which promotes him as a leader for his children and for the entire community. Jem and Scout admire Atticus’s intelligence and respect his beliefs. Atticus communicates with his children on a level they feel comfortable with. He teaches his children the acts of decent human principles, without criticism. This greatly affects the way the children approach others and act as individuals. Atticus concentrates on developing Jem and Scout as people, people who acquire morals, principles, ethics and human decency, never criticising the habitual nature of his children. For example, Atticus telling Scout to put on a dress and act like a girl, would in affect abuse her self-confidence.
Atticus also passes on wisdom to his children on such issues as prejudice. Jem and Scout are confused by the notion that their father would represent a black man in court, though Atticus teaches Jem and Scout to accept all human beings, for every man is considered equal no matter what his colour or beliefs. “ If I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this country in the legislate, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again”. This quote refers to his defence of Tom Robinson. In Maycomb the majority of white people consider themselves superior over the Negroes. Atticus teachers his children otherwise, that this statement shouldn’t apply to the human race....