How Is Dolphus Raymond Presented In To Kill A Mockingbird

In To Kill a Mockingbird there are many influential characters that did not make it into the movie adaptation. One of those important characters is Mr.Dolphus Raymond who was one of the few people that supported Atticus, went against the town, and influenced Scouts mind. In the very prejudicial town of Maycomb, Alabama Mr.Dolphus Raymond was a man living with a colored woman and their mixed kids simply because he preferred colored people over white people. Dolphus Raymond's different lifestyle and contradicting beliefs from the town made him a special character. Having him in the film would show how the town viewed people's differences in various manners. In the novel, Mr. Raymond was one of Atticus`s few supporters regarding Tom Robinson's

In the novel, Mr.Raymond is living with a colored woman and the kids they've had together just because he likes them over other white people. Obviously, this doesn't make him well liked by the rest of the town. The people of Maycomb are very against the black people there and usually only associate with them if they are working for the white people. As far as the town knows Mr. Raymond is a drunk which therefore explains his behavior, unlike Atticus who is a sober man and still sided with Tom. Atticus says something in the novel to Jem about the town after the trial, "There's something in our world that makes men lose their heads -- they couldn't be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins. They're ugly, but those are the fact of life. "(pg 220) Atticus explains the horrible truth about how the town functions and what they believe, to a very upset Jem. We can easily infer Dolphus shares the same feeling with Jem since he would not even attend the trial. Having more of Dolphus in the movie along with his views and the opposing ones of the town would illustrate how the town will shame people who socialize with black people. He is looked down upon for fathering a black woman's kids so he must sacrifice his remaining image to be a good father and protect them. This doesn't only happen with Dolphus but also

Raymond's views were new to Scout and got her to see things in other ways. Scouts character is very curious and she is constantly asking questions that the adults don't find appropriate for her age and gender, and questions that they also can not or do not want to answer. Since she is young and is not always informed about the town's problems directly so she has usually is influenced and informed through the conversations adults have with each other or rarely the ones they have with her.Dolphus Raymond has a very memorable conversation with Scout, Jem, and Dill where he tells them about his life and explains that him being the town drunk is just a facade to divert the town from his opposing lifestyle. Scout learns that the paper bag and bottle he carries are not alcohol and that in itself says something about the way the town makes people feel. Scout also learns that he has kids who are mixed from Jem who says, "Half white, half colored. You’ve seen ‘em, Scout. You know that red-kinky-headed one that delivers for the drugstore. He’s half white. They’re real sad" (Lee, 163). Jem says they are sad because they are not accepted by the white folks, but don't exactly fit with the black folks. By learning about this term and for Scout a new type of person she is also continuing to learn about racism and what comes from it. Scout is also made aware that Dolphus has sent one of his kids away