Stereotypes In To Kill A Mockingbird

Thursday, February 28, 2013
A One Dimensional Representation of African-Americans
From the beginning of human existence, people have always been discriminative towards one another solely based on race. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird was written by Harper Lee in the 1960’s, though the setting is based in the 1930’s.The novel challenges the false idea of the stereotypical African-American human being, as was typical in the 1930’s. It has been said that this novel portrays African-Americans as submissive, simple, and ignorant folk who need whites to protect them. To Kill a Mockingbird contains several black characters who are the complete opposite of these qualities. Tom Robinson is very polite and gentle, not docile, and Calpurnia is not simple minded, she is well educated. Considering these characters display a change in their stereotype, this novel is a powerful statement against racism.
During the 1930’s, many African Americans were not permitted to attend school; therefore they were seen as simple minded. It is believed that Harper Lee portrays all blacks in the novel as simple, but this is not true. Calpurnia, who is the Finch’s black cook, is very well educated, and extremely intelligent. Of course Scout new this, but it was not until Calpurnia brought the children to her church, that she fully understood. “That Calpurnia led a modest double life never dawned on me. The idea that she had a separate existence outside our household was a novel one, to say nothing of her having command of two languages.” (167)This is said when Scout is speaking to Calpurnia outside the church, as she is trying to understand why Calpurnia speaks differently to those of her own race. Also, Calpurnia is so intelligent that not only did she teach her son, Zeebo, how to write, but she taught Scout how to write as well, by making her copy pages of the Bible on rainy days. She can also read, and the first book given to her is from one of the elderly Finch family members. Calpurnia may speak differently when she is around her own race, but she is exceedingly bright, and knows when to show it. In addition, she teaches Jem and Scout how to speak properly, and how to use their manners. In that time period, many people did not have this etiquette, especially blacks, but Calpurnia did, and she passed on her knowledge to the children she rose. Calpurnia’s personality battles the stereotype that all blacks are uneducated and dull, and that shows a great deal of character and courage.
Tom Robinson is a man being accused of raping a white girl; Mayella Ewell. Atticus Finch defends him in court. Over a period of time, Tom would help Mayella with odd jobs around her house, for the sole reason of being helpful. Tom is a gentle, sweet, kind man, who enjoys helping those around him, but is not docile. While being questioned by Atticus Finch why he continued to help Mayella, Tom said, “I was glad to do it, Mr. Ewell didn’t seem to help her none, and neither did the chillun, and I knowed she didn’t have no nickles to spare,” (256). Tom is not an easy going man who takes orders from whites as if he is obligated to do it, he does these things for the sake of being kind. He does not want pay from Mayella Ewell even though she offers, which shows that he cares for the well being of others, and does not take advantage of their compassion. He did not help Mayella because she makes him do it; he does it to be kind. Tom is an opposite of Lula, who does not care for whites. Tom does not see things in life as black taking orders from white, but rather as man with man, aiding each other for the common good.
In times where an African American’s word is going against a white man’s word, the white man will always win.
Tom Robinson does not need to have Atticus defend him; he would be found guilty either way. Tom could have a black man defend him, but there is no way that there is a remote possibility that Tom could have won his case. However, everyone knows there is no chance of him winning the case, and even Atticus knew this himself. We find this out when Atticus says, “There’s something in our world that makes men lose their heads-they couldn’t be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins.” (295). He says this while explaining to Jem why they lose the court case. Even Atticus knows that they are going to lose the case, but he defends Tom anyway, because he is a strong advocate for equality and justice. This should not be a negative situation of blacks absolutely needing whites to protect them, but as displaying a select number of people who were willing to stand up, and take a stand to the customs of
society.
Through these examples, one can see that To Kill a Mockingbird does not classify its characters as docile or simple, but proves them to be the complete opposite. Tom is not submissive, but kind, and knows better than to fight against a case he knows he will lose. Calpurnia is not simple, but intelligent with good morals and values. In Tom’s case, a number of people were willing to take a stand against the customs of society, regardless if his chances of being found “not-guilty” against the Ewells was slim. This novel thoroughly challenges the stereotypes given to African-Americans. To Kill a Mockingbird truly does oppose racism, and tries to bring people together once more to end discrimination and segregation.

Works Cited
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: Warner Books, Inc., 1960. Print.