How Does Calpurnia Use Racial Discrimination In To Kill A Mockingbird

After Tom Robinson was charged with raping 19 year old Mayella Ewell, he was taken to court and Atticus had to defend his case. On page 212 of the novel Tom Robinson states that he ran away from Mayella when she had kissed him because he was scared, Atticus asked him why and he said “ Mr Finch, is you were a nigger like me, you’d be scared, too.“ Tom said this because of the society that they lived in where all “Black” people were not to be trusted. Atticus did his best to prove to the jury that Tom Robinson was not guilty for the crime that he was charged for

Tom Robinson enters To Kill a Mockingbird accused of raping Mayella Ewell but leaves To Kill a Mockingbird dead. Atticus Finch the defendant in Tom Robinson’s case and the father of Jem and Scout, did not fail Robinson, Robinson’s family or his own because he tried his best to prove that Tom was not guilty. For example , Miss Ewell explained that the attacker in her testimony, Tom Robinson had force himself on her, began to hold to her by the neck and hit her repeatedly after she asked him to bust up a chiffarobe for her. Heck Tate, the sheriff and witness of the trial had said Mayella only had bruises on both the neck and right side of her face, this now raised a red flag for Atticus. For Robinson to beat Miss Ewell repeatedly on the right side of her face he would have to use his left arm which got caught in a cotton gin years before. The disability that Tom Robinson had created great evidence for Atticus’s defense but didn’t work because of the unjust community they both live in. Maybe it would have worked if the trial was held in a courtroom that is built on justice for all, not just for the white.

When Atticus leaves on a work trip for the Tom Robinson case, Calpurnia takes care of Scout and Jem. She takes them to her community church, The First Purchase, for black people. When they arrive, a black woman named Lula approaches them. Lula questions why Calpurnia brought white children to their church. She says, “You ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillun here-they got their church, we got our’n. It is our church, ain’t it, Miss Cal” (Lee 119)? Lula

“The scars and stains of racism are still deeply embedded in the American society.” US Representative, John Lewis said this in his return to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial he spoke on 54 years ago, during the March on Washington. Racism has been around since the beginning of time, but it is not human nature. Racism is something that is taught, and given the amount of time that has passed since To Kill A Mockingbird and the March on Washington, one would think that racism wouldn’t be a serious issue any more. Although race relations have improved along with other social issues from the time of To Kill Mockingbird, racism and discrimination are major problems in today’s society.

The significance of Jem and Scout attending church with Calpurnia is large because the church that they are going to is for colored people. During this time period segregation was in play, so the blacks and whites each had their own separate facilities for events. Jem and Scout usually go to the church for white folks, but due to the fact that Atticus is currently away they accepted Calpurnia’s offer to attend her church. The kids willingly going with Chalpurnia on their own accord shows that Atticus taught Jem and Scout to not judge people on the color of their skin. Although the people at the church welcome the siblings, there is one particular black woman that is against having them there. As an effect of Reverend Sykes threatening to church her, Lula is contentious towards other people. After Zeebo reassures Jem, Scout, and Calpurnia that there was nothing to worry about with Lula, Calpurnia leads the two to the church door, where they eventually begin mass inside. This is significant because although most white and colored folks don’t get along, the people of First Purchase and Jem and Scout get along just

If the jury understands what really happened then there is a better chance they will make the right choice. “We don’t know, but there is circumstantial evidence to indicate that Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led almost exclusively with his left.” Atticus says this in hopes of making the jury comprehend that there is no way Tom would have been able to beat Mayella with his left hand because he is crippled and Bob Ewell is left handed. This implies that Bob Ewell, Mayella’s father, was the man who beat her. Atticus speaks about how it is evil to think that all negroes are immoral beings and he states “Which, Gentlemen, we know is in itself a lie as black as Tom Robinson’s skin, a lie I do not have to point out to you.” The jury for Tom’s trial is incredibly biased and racist and Atticus points out that skin color does not mean anything about a person’s personality or

Lula a black woman shows racism towards Scout and Jem who are white kids. While at the black church Lula came up to Calpurnia and said, “I want to know why you bringin’ white chillun to nigger church” (Lee 158). This shows that Lula does not like the fact that Calpurnia brought white kids to a black church. This is the first time that Scout and Jem experience racism toward them. Whites can also experience racism. Aside from adults showing racial prejudice children can also show it.

One of the first characters we are introduced to in the book is Calpurnia, the Finches' Negro “cook”, as Scout says (Lee 3). However, she is clearly more than that; she fills the role of a mother for Jem and Scout. She is strict when needs to be and caring when she doesn't. Particularly, she teaches the children not to be prejudice to any person, regardless of race. This is in direct contrast of the beliefs of Lula, a fellow Negro female that attends the African-American First Purchase Church, along with Calpurnia. In Lula's opinion, “white chillun...got their church, we got our’n”; she doesn't want the white and black races to be treated equally (Lee 63). Since they're often treated as second-class in a group of white people, she believes

The small town of Maycomb, Alabama gives the outward appearance of being cozy and cheerful, with quirky neighbors and backyards filled with gardens and treehouses. Beneath the small-town charm lies a place that is home to deep racial injustices and townspeople who refuse to acknowledge the damaging power that their racists views hold. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Jem and Scout spot a dog while looking for small creatures to shoot with their air-rifles. Jem notices immediately that something is wrong, and is wary of the dog’s strange behavior. The children return home and recount the experience to Calpurnia, who calls their father, Atticus, to eliminate the danger and shoot the dog. The mad dog that roams the streets of Maycomb

they got their church, we got our’n. ”(158). Calpurnia has taken Jem and Scout to a black church and the community there, are criticizing both all of them. This is important because the reason they made the black church was because they are not allowed into white churches. This segregation overall, creates a distrust between the two communities.

What was the evidence of her offense? Tom Robinson, a human being. She must put Tom Robinson away from her. Tom Robinson was her daily reminder of what she did. What did she do? She tempted a Negro.” (Lee, pg. 207). this evidence demonstrates that Atticus takes race into account and uses it to his advantage in the case, while showing the jury that race shouldn’t matter in the case of trial and advocates for Tom Robinson to have the same rights as Mayella. Atticus stands up for Tom again in his closing statement, with a powerful delivery of a powerful quote, “But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal—there is one human institution that makes a pauper the

Even though Atticus was persistent to prove that Tom was innocent, Atticus is an intelligent individual who has many great characteristics. One of his many traits is Intelligence. Atticus shows this in the court trial by pointing out that Mayella Ewell’s injuries were caused by someone who was left-handed, which Tom Robinson’s left was crippled and not able to be used. “Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led almost exclusively with his left” (272). Atticus put together Mayella’s story and said what fueled her to tempt and kiss a Negro and blame him so that she wouldn’t be found out and look down upon in her community.

Lula does not want any white people attending the black church, for instance, Jem and Scout. “You ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillun here—they got their church, we got our’n. It is our church, ain’t it, Miss Cal?” (Lee

People can be described in many different ways based on their personality. In To Kill a Mockingbird the best way to describe the main characters are through shapes.The reason Jim is a star is because he is a goody two-shoes and does not like to fight. He also wants to do good with his life. He does all that he can to make his father proud. The reason the star was chosen for Jim was because he is the kind of person who would get the golden star in class. Calpurnia represents a square because she is a “basic” Character. She does not have anything special happen to her like all of the other main character's. A square is one of the most “basic” shape so it represents Calpurnia well.

Lula feels strong resentment when the Finch children are present in a black church. Lula lets Calpurnia know that she “[...] ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillun here--they got their church, we got our’n,” (119). Harper Lee uses Lula as an example of how racism can work both ways. Due to an unspoken rule, white people don’t go to black church and black people don’t go to white church. Lula wanted to know Calpurnia’s reason