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To Kill A Mockingbird Social Class Analysis

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In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird the economic class and race of each of the characters determines their social class. There is prejudice based on social class which affects how people are treated. For example, higher class people think that they are superior to lower class people and treat them unequally because they are ´trashy´ and ´uncivilized´. Characters such as Aunt Alexandra and Scout show hostility towards the other classes which affects the events as well. When Aunt Alexandra said, ¨We don´t need her now¨ referring to Calpurnia, the black maid, she had a different reason than what was really stated (pg 182). The basic reason is that Aunt Alexandra has come to live with the Finches now and she thinks that Scout needs her influence …show more content…

In the story, it all started when Scout was being ignorant and saying loudly that Walter is putting too much syrup on his dinner. Calpurnia wanted to have a talk with Scout in the kitchen and told her there that Walter is Scout’s company. Scout responds to Calpurnia by the quote,¨He ain't company, Cal, he's just a Cunningham (pg 33).¨ Saying that Walter does not qualify as "company," Scout is implying that the view of the Cunninghams is nothing more than being poor which may also suggest that the family should not be counted and does not belong in the category of “real people.” After all, people in Maycomb view the Cunninghams as uncivilized and trash because they are low class. Therefore she thinks Walter isn't considered company because he is low class. The Finches are a higher class than the Cunninghams which makes them be considered superior to those below. However, as a result of Scout saying this, Calpurnia reacts angrily in which she says,¨Hush your mouth! Don´t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house´s yo´ comp´ny . . . ¨ Right after that event Calpurnia gave Scout a “stinging smack” and Scout ate her dinner in the kitchen so she wouldn't have to face any more humiliation. From here we can see that since Scout displayed an ignorant attitude towards Walter and didn’t consider him company, it forced Calpurnia to argue and smack her so she can learn her lesson. This dinner event they were

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