Theme Of Poverty In To Kill A Mockingbird

Sleepy Maycomb, like other Southern towns, suffers considerably during the Great Depression. Poverty reaches from the privileged families, like the Finches, to the Negroes and “white trash” Ewells, who live on the outskirts of town. Harper Lee paints a vivid picture of life in this humid Alabama town where tempers and bigotry explode into conflict. Throughout the book racism, poverty, and domestic violence appear as important themes that intertwine with the plot and the characters. The author brings attention to these themes through characters actions and their consequences. Racism is a common topic in To Kill a Mockingbird. In chapter 12, it is especially prominent when Calpurnia takes Jem and Scout to her church and they get judged by their color. “I felt Calpurnia’s hand dig into my shoulder. ‘What you want , Lula?’ she asked, in tones I had never heard her use. She spoke quietly, contemptuously. ‘I wants to know why you bringin’ white chillun to nigger church’” (Lee 158). Lula is a symbol of racism because she judged the Finch’s by their color only. Another example of racism in the book is when people insult
Tom Robinson’s case is based on domestic violence. “‘When he’s--riled, has he ever beaten you?’” (Lee 246). The most blatant evidence of domestic violence is Mayella Ewell. Although the case debates whether it was Tom Robinson or her father who beat her, it is implied that Mayella’s father severely bludgeoned her after discovering that she lead on a black man. The injuries described in the book are brutal and effectively express the role of domestic violence in the book. “‘...her arms were bruised, and she showed me her neck. There were definite finger marks on her gullet--’” (Lee 226). This evidence is provided by the sheriff and is most likely true. Whoever inflicted these injuries did so out of rage and aggression. Overall, Mayella Ewell provides the theme of domestic violence in the