Skip to main content

What is one prejudiced quote from the novel To Kill a Mockingbird?

In Chapter 23, Atticus explains to his children that a person related to Walter Cunningham initially voted for Tom's acquittal during the trial, which is why the jury deliberated for so long. Jem and Scout are shocked to hear this, and Atticus continues to elaborate on the Cunninghams' respectable family background. Scout then mentions that as soon as school starts she is going to invite Walter over for dinner. Aunt Alexandra tells Scout, "We'll...

In Chapter 23, Atticus explains to his children that a person related to Walter Cunningham initially voted for Tom's acquittal during the trial, which is why the jury deliberated for so long. Jem and Scout are shocked to hear this, and Atticus continues to elaborate on the Cunninghams' respectable family background. Scout then mentions that as soon as school starts she is going to invite Walter over for dinner. Aunt Alexandra tells Scout, "We'll see about that," and Scout asks her why not (Lee 299). Alexandra goes on to tell Scout that the Cunninghams aren't their kind of folks. She mentions that no matter how much you scrub Walter Cunningham and dress him appropriately, he will never be like Jem. Scout gets extremely upset and asks Alexandra again why she cannot play with Walter. Aunt Alexandra responds by saying,



"Because---he---is---trash, that's why you can't play with him. I'll not have you around him, picking up his habits and learning Lord-knows-what. You're enough of a problem to your father as it is" (Lee 301).



Alexandra's prejudiced comment depicts her contempt for individuals who are considered lower-class. Alexandra believes that her family is "better" than the Cunninghams, and is prejudiced towards poorer community members.

Labels

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...
Post a Comment
Read more

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...
Post a Comment
Read more