Maycomb's Unusual Disease
Maycomb’s ‘Unusual’ Disease
In the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, the residents seem to have all been infected by the same disease. Harper Lee, the author of the very famous novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, has used several ways of portraying this idea and is able to convince readers that her characters really do have some sort of ‘illness,’ an illness which affects people’s thoughts on how others should be treated. The novel highlights several issues including racism, childhood, injustice and more as Scout, the protagonist, reflects on her life in Maycomb as a child. She speaks about the inequalities of African Americans whilst explaining her thoughts about each issue. Though there are several main ideas which can be found throughout the book, this essay focuses on how characters like Francis and Bob Ewell suffer from Maycomb’s ‘Unusual’ disease, whilst Atticus and Miss Maudie oppose their views.
Even the young children of Maycomb portray signs of hating on ‘negroes’ and judges Scout and Jem. For example, Cecil Jacobs, one of the boys from school, shouts to Scout, “‘my folks said your daddy was a disgrace an’ that nigger oughta hang from the water-tank!”’(Lee.09.82) which enrages Scout to start a fight. Cecil Jacobs is simply repeating exactly what his parents said about Atticus. This shows that what parents do, has a great influence on what their children think in Maycomb Also, the fact that even young children possess this racial trait is horrific and indeed proves that the town of Maycomb has a completely prejudiced mindset. In addition, Scout’s own cousin, Francis, states that his “grandma says it’s bad enough [Atticus] lets [them] all run wild, but now he’s turned out a nigger-lover, [they’ll] never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb again, he’s ruinin’ the family,” (Lee.09.89) Francis’ statement proves that not only do the kids at school look down at Scout and her brother, but even their blood-related cousin. Atticus and his children therefore face
In the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, the residents seem to have all been infected by the same disease. Harper Lee, the author of the very famous novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, has used several ways of portraying this idea and is able to convince readers that her characters really do have some sort of ‘illness,’ an illness which affects people’s thoughts on how others should be treated. The novel highlights several issues including racism, childhood, injustice and more as Scout, the protagonist, reflects on her life in Maycomb as a child. She speaks about the inequalities of African Americans whilst explaining her thoughts about each issue. Though there are several main ideas which can be found throughout the book, this essay focuses on how characters like Francis and Bob Ewell suffer from Maycomb’s ‘Unusual’ disease, whilst Atticus and Miss Maudie oppose their views.
Even the young children of Maycomb portray signs of hating on ‘negroes’ and judges Scout and Jem. For example, Cecil Jacobs, one of the boys from school, shouts to Scout, “‘my folks said your daddy was a disgrace an’ that nigger oughta hang from the water-tank!”’(Lee.09.82) which enrages Scout to start a fight. Cecil Jacobs is simply repeating exactly what his parents said about Atticus. This shows that what parents do, has a great influence on what their children think in Maycomb Also, the fact that even young children possess this racial trait is horrific and indeed proves that the town of Maycomb has a completely prejudiced mindset. In addition, Scout’s own cousin, Francis, states that his “grandma says it’s bad enough [Atticus] lets [them] all run wild, but now he’s turned out a nigger-lover, [they’ll] never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb again, he’s ruinin’ the family,” (Lee.09.89) Francis’ statement proves that not only do the kids at school look down at Scout and her brother, but even their blood-related cousin. Atticus and his children therefore face
Cited: "To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 9 Summary." Shmoop Editorial Team. Shmoop University, 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 20 Mar. 2013. . "To Kill a Mockingbird Theme of Race." Shmoop. Shmoop University, 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 22 Mar. 2013. . "To Kill a Mockingbird Themes." Grade Saver. GradeSaver LLC, 1999-2013. Web. 25 Mar. 2013. . Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Edinburgh Gate, Harlow: PEL, 1960. Print. By: Seline.