To Kill A Mockingbird Tradition Analysis
Society has evolved over hundreds of years to be where it is now. Throughout that time, people have created thoughts and opinions about many topics such as how one should live, the way people should act, and how to treat others. Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird is set during the Great Depression in the 1930s. During this time, whites were superior to blacks. Lee uses the case against Tom Robinson to depict the impact slavery has had on racial views towards blacks. Tradition, being the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, is an example of how previous ways of life effect the present. Through the experiences of the Finch family during the time of the Tom Robinson case, it is evident that tradition affects the lives of individuals in a negative way because it shapes the way a society thinks, leaving long lasting views of racism, sexism, and classism. Classism is the prejudice against or in favor of people belonging to a particular social class. In Maycomb County, it is known, according to Jem, that “There’s four kinds of folks in the world. There’s the ordinary kind like us and the neighbors, there’s the kind like the
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Cunninghams out in the woods, the kind like the Ewells down at the dump, and the Negroes” (Lee 259). Here, Jem is speaking about the different social classes in Maycomb. The Finches are poor but still get along in their lives, unlike the Ewells, who do not work, do not get an education, and do not have any respect for others. Although the Cunninghams are also poor, they work for what they have, do not take anything they cannot repay, and have respect for the townspeople. The blacks of Maycomb are seen as the lowest class, for which they are treated poorly and have little to nothing. The statuses of these families have been this way for many generations, and the people of Maycomb do not know them any other way. Tradition has affected these residents in a way where they cannot break from their set mold, and continues to affect them throughout their everyday lives. The residents of Maycomb also have a set idea of how women should act and dress.
Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, people constantly stress the idea that Scout must wear a dress to be a lady. Mrs. Dubose says, “What are you doing in those overalls? You should be in a dress and camisole, young lady! You’ll grow up waiting on tables if somebody doesn’t change your ways” (Lee 135). This quote implies that if Scout does not wear a dress she will not be successful. Femininity, according to the town, means to wear a dress, do what you are told and never talk back, and never work outside or get dirty. It is seen this way due to many previous years of sexism and inequality. The town runs on traditional ideas, not leaving any room for change. This creates the image they know of women, making anything else seen as
wrong. Likewise, tradition has an effect on the way people view different races. In the story, blacks are hated by the whites, and are treated in a harsh matter. They are denied equal rights to the white man and were not respected. The case against Tom Robinson refers to a black man being accused of raping a white woman. Although a substantial amount of evidence was provided to prove that Tom Robinson was in fact innocent, the jury could not look past his skin color to grant him the justice he deserves. Atticus tells Jem, “In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins” (Lee 252). Since there has been a long history of slavery and hatred toward the black community, the people of Maycomb are raised to be racist. It has been this way since the beginning of the town, and it has not changed. Tradition has caused the society to think negatively about blacks, which led to the unfair event of the Tom Robinson case, leaving him without justice. Overall, people have predetermined perspectives about topics such as other people and how they should live. Harper Lee uses a judicial case to examine the ways in which tradition can impact a society and its views towards classism, sexism, and racism. The social classes of Maycomb’s residents, the way people expect women to behave, and the outcome of the Tom Robinson case prove how previous belief can affect the lives of many people in a negative way. These traditions leave no room or incentive for change, and make it difficult to think any other way. Maycomb makes it extremely challenging to create more diversity in the way it’s residents think, which is what’s needed for a society to prosper.
Cunninghams out in the woods, the kind like the Ewells down at the dump, and the Negroes” (Lee 259). Here, Jem is speaking about the different social classes in Maycomb. The Finches are poor but still get along in their lives, unlike the Ewells, who do not work, do not get an education, and do not have any respect for others. Although the Cunninghams are also poor, they work for what they have, do not take anything they cannot repay, and have respect for the townspeople. The blacks of Maycomb are seen as the lowest class, for which they are treated poorly and have little to nothing. The statuses of these families have been this way for many generations, and the people of Maycomb do not know them any other way. Tradition has affected these residents in a way where they cannot break from their set mold, and continues to affect them throughout their everyday lives. The residents of Maycomb also have a set idea of how women should act and dress.
Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, people constantly stress the idea that Scout must wear a dress to be a lady. Mrs. Dubose says, “What are you doing in those overalls? You should be in a dress and camisole, young lady! You’ll grow up waiting on tables if somebody doesn’t change your ways” (Lee 135). This quote implies that if Scout does not wear a dress she will not be successful. Femininity, according to the town, means to wear a dress, do what you are told and never talk back, and never work outside or get dirty. It is seen this way due to many previous years of sexism and inequality. The town runs on traditional ideas, not leaving any room for change. This creates the image they know of women, making anything else seen as
wrong. Likewise, tradition has an effect on the way people view different races. In the story, blacks are hated by the whites, and are treated in a harsh matter. They are denied equal rights to the white man and were not respected. The case against Tom Robinson refers to a black man being accused of raping a white woman. Although a substantial amount of evidence was provided to prove that Tom Robinson was in fact innocent, the jury could not look past his skin color to grant him the justice he deserves. Atticus tells Jem, “In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins” (Lee 252). Since there has been a long history of slavery and hatred toward the black community, the people of Maycomb are raised to be racist. It has been this way since the beginning of the town, and it has not changed. Tradition has caused the society to think negatively about blacks, which led to the unfair event of the Tom Robinson case, leaving him without justice. Overall, people have predetermined perspectives about topics such as other people and how they should live. Harper Lee uses a judicial case to examine the ways in which tradition can impact a society and its views towards classism, sexism, and racism. The social classes of Maycomb’s residents, the way people expect women to behave, and the outcome of the Tom Robinson case prove how previous belief can affect the lives of many people in a negative way. These traditions leave no room or incentive for change, and make it difficult to think any other way. Maycomb makes it extremely challenging to create more diversity in the way it’s residents think, which is what’s needed for a society to prosper.