Essay On The Power Of Race In To Kill A Mockingbird

Each text explores racism in society though the importance of social status, as well as highlighting how the power the upper-class posses affect all characters. The Ewell’s are considered the “white trash” family of Maycomb County, and are accounted as only being one step above the black community in the minds of the townspeople. Bob Ewell uses this power of being at a higher social status than African-Americans in his favour to get Tom Robinson convicted of raping his daughter, Mayella. With an all white jury, ridden with prejudice, it becomes clear through the racism in Maycomb County and Bob’s social status that it didn’t matter whether Tom laid his hands on his daughter or not, he was a “dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth
After firing Minnie for using the inside bathroom facilities, Hilly spreads the rumour that Minnie stole from her. This results in Minnie not being able to get a job, not only affected her but her family as now her daughter needs to work. Hilly’s power does not stop there as she has the ability to exclude people in her own community, especially Celia Foot. Mirroring this, in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ Aunt Alexandra holds the same type of prestigious power towards her family. She exemplifies her power in her own community when she forbids Scout and Jem from playing with Walter Cunningham, just because he is socially beneath them. In addition, Tom is shot 17 times without a second thought, just because of the colour of his skin, it is allowed to happen and the guards hold the power. Due to the racism tension in Maycomb County during the time has a negative effect on Tom, just because of the racial tension, Tom has to pay the price and lose his life. In both societies, racism is explored through social status and power, and it becomes evident of the profound effect it has on the