Examples Of Stereotypes In The Heat Of The Night

Stereotypes rampant in today’s society. They are implanted in one’s mind from a young age and learnt from school, media, friends or family. Moreover, the unique qualities of a person which can be beneficial for society can be hidden due to stereotypes. As a result, society can undermine a person by judging that judging that person based on the general idea it has about that person’s age, race, personality and/or financial status. Consequently, stereotypes have been a common topic that many authors have used in their books, with one such book being John Ball’s In the Heat of the Night. The novel consists of characters that are judged negatively based on stereotypes. Additionally, the author surprises the readers by making the characters’ personalities

As Harvey Oberst, a suspect of the crime, was trying to defend himself before Gillespie, he thumped himself on the chest with his left forefinger and stated, “I didn’t kill him, . . . I just picked up his wallet, I tell you!” (Ball 33). Harvey Oberst is known as white trash in the novel, as he is a white person with a bad financial standing. Stereotypes describe him as a poor person who is not courageous to bear the accusations against him. However, this quote portrays Oberst as a bold man, advocating for himself. In addition, his attitude teaches one that one does not have to be rich to defend oneself. This bold attitude can be inspiring for those who struggle to be brave. Nevertheless, stereotypes blind one from seeing this characteristic in people who are poor, thus, leaving one still in fear. In addition, Ralph is another character who displayed boldness in the novel. After hitting Mantoli on the head, “his first impulse was an honorable one, to get the man he had just injured to a doctor” (Ball 182). Similar to Oberst, Ralph also has a low financial status. Stereotypically,

After examining the body of Mantoli, Tibbs said, “the fatal blow had been struck by an instrument at an angle of about seventeen degrees from the right and the skull is viewed from the rear . . . the assailant was right-handed.” (Ball 34). Virgil Tibbs is a black police officer, however, that does not make him a person who cannot think strategically. He spent a lot of time checking Mantoli’s body which lead him to know more about the criminal. On the other hand, Gillespie only spent some time examining the body. Additionally, Gillespie easily believed anyone who came with a suspect. In contrast, Tibbs carefully observed every suspect in order find the culprit. The personality of Tibbs implies that one does not need to be white to think in a clever manner. Although white people may be considered as superior to black people, black people have qualities that can surpass the capabilities of a white person. However, stereotypes can prevent one from acknowledging such qualities in others. In addition, Tibbs depicts his strategic thinking skills by solving the case. When explaining Mantoli’s murder case, Tibbs stated, “ . . . I knew that this time I had my man. I knew the motive, I had established opportunity, and as an individual he fitted perfectly into the pattern of conduct of the murderer.” (Ball 180). Stereotypically, Tibbs would have been regarded