Different Forms Of Power In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

Different forms of power have always and will always be present in our world. Most people hold at least one form of power; although, three forms are seen more often than others. Throughout history people have gained power though race, gender, and social class. These groups of power are discussed throughout the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The author shows how the different forms of power affect the way people are perceived and treated. A prime example of this is the character Mayella Ewell, a white woman, who charges a black man with rape. Mayella is powerful in regards to her race; however, she is not powerful in regards to her gender and social class.

Mayella Ewell has no power in regards to her social class because she

She lives with an abusive and alcoholic father; however, she cannot leave because she cannot own property or get a job. Being a woman also makes her physically incapable to overpower her father. The horrific way in which she is treated is made clear during the trial: “What did her father do? We don’t know, but there is circumstantial evidence to indicate that Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led almost exclusively with his left” (Lee 18). Earlier it was made common knowledge that Bob Ewell is left handed, meaning that he is the most likely culprit behind this. During the trial Bob even threatens Mayella: “‘Do you love your father, Miss Mayella?’ was his next…..’He does tollable, ‘cept when-’ ‘Except when?’ Mayella looked at her father, who was sitting with his chair tipped against the railing. He sat up straight and waited for her to answer. ‘Except when nothin’,” said Mayella. ‘I said he does tollable.’ Mr. Ewell leaned back again (Lee 18). The abuse she has endured makes her terrified to talk about what her father has done. Mayella remains in this situation because her gender makes her unable to get a job, purchase land, and stop her father. Although Mayella may hold no power in regards to her gender, she does in regards to her

In the time period Mayella lives in white skin was seen to be dominant over all others. All through the trial Mayella is treated much better than Tom Robinson because of her skin color. She was treated with respect and addressed as ma’am by Atticus. However, the way Tom Robinson was spoken to by Mr. Gilmer moved Dill to tears: “The way that man called him ‘boy’ all the time an’ sneered at him, an’ looked around at the jury every time he answered….Hasn’t anybody got any business talkin’ like that - it just makes me sick” (Lee 18). Tom Robinson is not treated with any respect because he is black. Mayella has power over him in court as a result of her race. However, her overall power is limited because of her gender and class. This is made obvious when Scout states, “White people wouldn’t have anything to do with her because she lived among pigs” (Lee 18). The people of Maycomb county reject her, even though she is white, because she is very poor. She cannot even leave the dump she lives in because she is a woman. Ultimately, Mayella does not have power because her gender and class limit what she is capable of