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Examples Of Hypocrisy In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Alexander Theroux once said, “Hypocrisy is the essence of snobbery, but all snobbery is about the problem of belonging.” This quote sums up a major theme in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In an excerpt from chapter 26, Miss Gates teaches how terrible Hitler was. Scout even thought that Miss Gates hates Hitler. She takes this further and even considers that Miss Gates is a hypocrite. She realizes that Miss Gates hates Hitler because he discriminated against the Jews, but then she then turns around and discriminates against the blacks in her community. Scout becomes disappointed in her teacher. By using point of view, characterization, and symbolism, Harper Lee explains that ignorance and hypocrisy and the result of prejudice and social …show more content…

A very effective way to show hypocrisy is through the eyes of a little girl. “Jem, how can you hate Hitler so bad an’ then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home-” (Lee 331). Using dialogue, Lee reveals this idea and shows the reader that Scout, an 8 year old girl, realizes this on her own. If a child can pick up on hypocrisy then, it puts emphasis on the true corruption of Maycomb society.
Next, Lee uses characterization to draw attention to the judgmental attitude of the entire society. Scout explains how Miss Gates goes on a hateful rant about black people. “ I heard her say its time somebody taught ‘em a lesson, they were getting’ way above themselves, an’ the next thing they can do is marry us” (Lee 331). This quote characterizes Miss Gates as a hateful person who thinks she is better than others. The rant proves how critical Maycomb society has become towards another. Maycomb is a very hateful society.
Finally, the symbolism of the courthouse puts a lot of emphasis on prejudicial thoughts. In the book, the courthouse is where Negroes were canted against and is where Boo Radley was hidden (Lee 16,331). In a normal society, a courthouse symbolizes equality and justice. In Maycomb, the courthouse represents the exact opposite of equality and justice: ethnocentrism and

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