Direct Characterization In To Kill A Mockingbird
Harper Lee, author of the novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird" exploits various textual features which are used to make characters like Aunt Alexandra marginalized. Throughout the novel she is illustrated as a foil to Atticus's attitudes and beliefs; additionally she symbolizes high-class society during the Great Depression. These techniques position the reader to view Aunt Alexandra as an antagonist.
There are many reasons for the marginalization of characters and these are expressed through different textual techniques. Aunt Alexandra is primarily utilized as a contrast to Atticus through her diverse attitude to his methods of parenting. This is seen when she disagrees to Scouts behaviour and attitude:
"Aunt Alexandra's vision of my deportment …show more content…
Aunt Alexandra does not say "please" or "thank you", all she says is a simple command forcing Calpurnia into subservience. She senses the connection between the family and the black nanny, and with this she attempts to get rid of her.
"And don't try and get around it. You've got to face it sooner or later and it might as well be tonight. We don't need her now." (p157)
In both the 1930's, when the book was set and the 1960's when it was written, any relationship with a black person other than direct employment caused scandals and gossip. This was particularly the case in Maycomb, where racism was in every narrow minded person. Aunt Alexandra wanted to get rid of Calpurnia for the good of the family's reputation, but what she only slightly began to see is that the family did not predominantly care about such issues as they did for the bond that the black nanny created.
Aunt Alexandra labels all blacks as being "trash" but she does not stop there. Her attitude towards any group or person that she considers to be lower than her on the social pyramid of Maycomb is distinguished with her attitude towards the Cunninghams, when Scout suggests that she should invite one
There are many reasons for the marginalization of characters and these are expressed through different textual techniques. Aunt Alexandra is primarily utilized as a contrast to Atticus through her diverse attitude to his methods of parenting. This is seen when she disagrees to Scouts behaviour and attitude:
"Aunt Alexandra's vision of my deportment …show more content…
Aunt Alexandra does not say "please" or "thank you", all she says is a simple command forcing Calpurnia into subservience. She senses the connection between the family and the black nanny, and with this she attempts to get rid of her.
"And don't try and get around it. You've got to face it sooner or later and it might as well be tonight. We don't need her now." (p157)
In both the 1930's, when the book was set and the 1960's when it was written, any relationship with a black person other than direct employment caused scandals and gossip. This was particularly the case in Maycomb, where racism was in every narrow minded person. Aunt Alexandra wanted to get rid of Calpurnia for the good of the family's reputation, but what she only slightly began to see is that the family did not predominantly care about such issues as they did for the bond that the black nanny created.
Aunt Alexandra labels all blacks as being "trash" but she does not stop there. Her attitude towards any group or person that she considers to be lower than her on the social pyramid of Maycomb is distinguished with her attitude towards the Cunninghams, when Scout suggests that she should invite one