Examples Of Social Inequality In To Kill A Mockingbird
In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, social inequality and racial discrimination are represented through the patriarchal society. It is through the differences among Maycomb’s people and the prejudice against Tom Robinson that the “Master’s House” is reinforced in the novel.
The distinction in social status is presented through the social hierarchy of Maycomb. In Audre Lorde’s The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House, she states: “But community must not mean a shedding of our differences, nor the pathetic pretense that these differences do not exist” (Lorde 2). The relatively well-off and educated Finches and other white people are near the top of Maycomb’s social hierarchy, with most of the townspeople and the black community
beneath them. In addition to this, Boo Radley’s mental instability is dealt by locking him in the house and incriminating him for any wrongdoing. This demonstrates that Maycomb has a patriarchal structure because the communities are arranged and differentiated according to social status and people like Boo Radley have to face social injustice.
The conviction of Tom Robinson serves as a highly critical and anticipated decision due to racism. Audre Lorde states: “This is a diversion of energies and a tragic repetition of racist patriarchal thought” (Lorde 3). Firstly, Atticus is criticized by Mrs. Dubose and many other white people for defending Tom Robinson. Later, Tom Robinson is found guilty by the all-white jury even though Mayella and Bob Ewell are proven to be liars. This demonstrates the racial discrimination in Maycomb as a white man defending a black is not acceptable by the society and the blacks are thought to be responsible for each crime.
The novel portrays a society in which social inequality and racial segregation exist that supplement the “Master’s House”. The rich and the educated people live in the middle of the town while the poor and the black community live at its boundary. Moreover, Tom Robinson is convicted completely based on his colour.
The distinction in social status is presented through the social hierarchy of Maycomb. In Audre Lorde’s The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House, she states: “But community must not mean a shedding of our differences, nor the pathetic pretense that these differences do not exist” (Lorde 2). The relatively well-off and educated Finches and other white people are near the top of Maycomb’s social hierarchy, with most of the townspeople and the black community
beneath them. In addition to this, Boo Radley’s mental instability is dealt by locking him in the house and incriminating him for any wrongdoing. This demonstrates that Maycomb has a patriarchal structure because the communities are arranged and differentiated according to social status and people like Boo Radley have to face social injustice.
The conviction of Tom Robinson serves as a highly critical and anticipated decision due to racism. Audre Lorde states: “This is a diversion of energies and a tragic repetition of racist patriarchal thought” (Lorde 3). Firstly, Atticus is criticized by Mrs. Dubose and many other white people for defending Tom Robinson. Later, Tom Robinson is found guilty by the all-white jury even though Mayella and Bob Ewell are proven to be liars. This demonstrates the racial discrimination in Maycomb as a white man defending a black is not acceptable by the society and the blacks are thought to be responsible for each crime.
The novel portrays a society in which social inequality and racial segregation exist that supplement the “Master’s House”. The rich and the educated people live in the middle of the town while the poor and the black community live at its boundary. Moreover, Tom Robinson is convicted completely based on his colour.