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Who Is Jem Finch Family In To Kill A Mockingbird

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To Kill A Mockingbird Essay In the early 1900’s during the great depression, most families were very traditional with many social boundaries. There was lots of racism, segregation, and specific gender roles being played. The Finch family in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee had a harder time in life because they were not the typical Maycomb family. Near the beginning of the book when Scout is in school, Cecil announces it in front of everyone that Scout’s dad defends niggers. At that time Scout didn’t know what “nigger” meant. Later that evening, Scout asks, “What’d he mean sayin’ that?” (Lee, 100) Jem told her to ask Atticus, so she did. “‘Do you defend niggers, Atticus?’ I asked him that evening. ‘Of course I do. Don’t say nigger Scout. That’s common.’” (Lee, 100) When cecil told everyone that, Scout automatically defended Atticus saying that he doesn’t. It is already frowned upon defending for negroes in their society, but it makes them stand out even more because of the way Atticus approaches this. He responds to Scout very proudly. Atticus knows this is the right thing to do, and he shows it. This shows how Atticus defending blacks makes them stand out as …show more content…

When Walter Cunningham comes over for dinner after school, he pours lots of syrup on his food. Scout protests and Calpurnia tells Scout to meet her in the kitchen. As scout walks in Calpurnia says fiercely, “There’s some folks who don’t eat like us, but you ain’t called on to contradict ‘em at the table when they don’t. That boy’s yo’ comp’ny and if he wants to eat up the tablecloth you let him, you hear?” (Lee, 32) Most families would not allow their black housemaid to treat their kids like that. Atticus has a lot of respect for Calpurnia. He trusts her with his kids, letting her treat them like her own. He also gives her a lot of power considering that she is like a mother to

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