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Misunderstood In To Kill A Mockingbird

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In To Kill A Mockingbird, Scout learns about different kinds of people through Dolphus Raymond, the Ewells, and Walter Cunningham Sr. The groups that these three represent are the misunderstood, the poor, and the disgraces. These characters helped to develop Scout and teach her how to tolerate everyone. Dolphus Raymond is a very misunderstood character in the book. He is widely thought to be an alcoholic, but he would just act drunk and drink cola from a paper bag. He does this to put the town at ease, as he sits with the african-american people. It makes the town think that he’s just too drunk to know where he’s sitting, which makes his life easier. "I try to give 'em a reason, you see. It helps folks if they can latch onto a reason... folks can say Dolphus Raymond's in the clutches of whiskey--that's why he …show more content…

"Every town the size of Maycomb had families like the Ewells. No economic fluctuations changed their status--- people like the Ewells lived as guests of the county in prosperity as well as in the depths of a depression. No truant officer could keep their numerous offspring in school; no public health officer could free them from congenital defects, various worms, and the diseases indigenous to filthy surroundings." (Lee, 170) They live near the dump with no money, no education, and no mother. Mayella ends up taking her mother’s place when she died, caring for all of the children and doing the entirety of the house work. The family practically lives off the county, and even takes chifferobes from the dump and breaks them up for firewood, which is where Tom Robinson comes in. Mayella falsely accused Tom of raping and beating her, when in all reality she tried to get with Tom and he didn’t want anything to do with her. Bob saw the whole thing go down and he hit Mayella as a result. She only accused him so that the true story would miss the public eye. Also, the Ewells do nothing to better their situation

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686 Words | 3 Pages

In reality, Dolphus Raymond is not a drunkard; he pretended to be one so he will not be judged by the townspeople. The lesson from the misconception is that some people change some part of themselves to fit in with society. Dolphus raymond put on an act, so he can stay true to

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500 Words | 2 Pages

The central idea of To Kill A Mockingbird is Bravery. A quote used in the story that Harper Lee uses to show this central idea is “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view” (30/34). This quote shows how some people can be brave. Many of the characters in the story were brave but the three i'm going to focus on are Atticus, Jem, and Arthur also known as “Boo”. Atticus, the father of Jem and Scout was very brave throughout the story.

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510 Words | 3 Pages

In the book it states, “The Ewells had been the disgrace of Maycomb for three generations” (Lee 40). The town does not like the Ewells and do not want a lot to do with them. The last reason is the Ewell’s have hunted out of

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1046 Words | 5 Pages

Not only does this illustrates the Ewells financial crisis but as well as allude the behavior of the men within the Ewell household. Lee's introduction of Mayella's younger brother Burris was an introduction that was made to catch the reader's attention with Miss Caroline's outburst from seeing

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824 Words | 4 Pages

“What is that shirt?! You look like an elf from the North Pole.” I hear him say to the little guy standing next to me in the red and green striped shirt. “What a loooosssseeeeerrrrr!” There are multiple ways to handle this situation.

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1107 Words | 5 Pages

Importance of Details Kathreen Perez 1)Interesting Traxler, 3 Chapter 20 detail: -The whole county thinks that Mr. Raymond drinks whiskey, but he is actually drinking coca-cola in a bag. During the 1930's, racism raged through every corner of the United States, and the imaginary district of Maycomb County displayed the effects of injustice brought upon the African-American community during that time period.

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83 Words | 1 Pages

The mistakes Scout makes on her first day of school are, telling her her teacher that she can read and write, and trying to explain to her teacher why Walter wouldn’t take the money. The professional people are poor in Maycomb because no one pays them in money, instead they pay them with something else such as food. WPA means Workers Progress Administration, Mr. Cunningham won’t work for it because if he does then the land he lives on will go to waste.

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311 Words | 2 Pages

The central idea Harper Lee expresses for curing racism, bigotry and class warfare is having to put yourself in someone else's shoes. If you are to put yourself into someone else’s shoes, you would see a different side of the story. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view” (Lee 87). Atticus uses this quote to teach scout that before you mistreat someone, you have to see things from their point of view.

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1028 Words | 5 Pages

Even in a society that, overall, is diverse, people with similar ideas and experiences tend to congregate in small groups, where they are comfortable. It is much easier to remain in homogenous groups, among those who understand each other. When different groups combine, many different life experiences and points of view will be present and will potentially clash. Misunderstanding is bound to occur in some form when individuals of different backgrounds interact. When misunderstandings occur, people tend to respond with violence, fear, or stereotyping.

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381 Words | 2 Pages

Correspondingly to figurative language, Lee also uses diction is to imply a message about racism and justice in Maycomb County. The "inflexible and time regarded code" of society was that, while, white individuals could utilize and even endeavor African-Americans, there could be no individual relationship between African-Americans and whites and no acknowledgment that African-Americans had the same responses and emotions as white individuals. Furthermore, there was an obnoxious assumption "that all Blacks lie, that all Blacks are essentially indecent creatures". “Despite the fact that Calpurnia is a female, Aunt Alexandra neglects her great work as a result of her race” (Lee p.129). The Court trial is described by Lee with strong diction in

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732 Words | 3 Pages

But she said he took advantage of her, and when she stood up she looked at him as if he were dirt beneath her feet.” Mayella’s loneliness and powerlessness drove her to have an affair with a black man, breaking a societal code. She is a victim of poverty because of the hatred and discrimination occurring in Maycomb. Although some might view Mayella Ewell as a victim, others might view her as a villain because she broke a societal code by attempting to have an affair with a Negro.

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245 Words | 1 Pages

I will characterize the Ewells because they are a disgrace to Maycomb. The Ewells are a disgrace to Maycomb because they do a lot of things that are not socially acceptable or are against the law. None of the Erwells work and the children do not go to school so they make a very small income. Their dad is a drunk so whenever they do earn money their dad spends it on alcohol and not food for the children. Their dad also illegally hunts out of season but the town accepts it because the children might not get any food otherwise.

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775 Words | 4 Pages

Lola Leonard Mrs.Erdmann English 9 4/21 “To Kill A Mockingbird” Harper Lee uses the quote: “Storms make trees grow deeper roots” This applies to a person because in life people make mistakes, but the good thing is everyone has time and room to grow. Lee references this all throughout her novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird.” Jem and Scout, the kids in the story, grow and become more mature: Also, learning many life lessons along the way. Harper Lee uses a combination of imagery, tone, and, symbolism throughout her book: "To Kill A Mockingbird" to show the idea that being polite and respectful plays a big part in maturing

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852 Words | 4 Pages

While school may teach lessons, they are certainly not valuable life lessons. Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird repeatedly shows the ineffectiveness of the education system in a child’s morals. To Kill A Mockingbird takes place in the Great Depression era in Alabama, where education was not the best. Teachers would only seek to teach their classes average, everyday lessons rather than valuable life teachings.

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500 Words | 2 Pages

In To Kill A Mockingbird, there are many chapters that involve racism, poverty, and or violence. This book takes place in Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. The Finches, Jem, Scout, and Atticus which are the rich white people, the Cunninghams, the poor humble people, the Ewells, the dirt poor white trash people, and the colored folks all are involved in either racism, poverty, and or violence. Many examples of poverty are stated in To Kill A Mockingbird. An example of poverty is the Ewells because the Ewells have nearly nothing.

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