Question

Write a 1-2 page paper on how social division is present in "To kill a MockingBird"

Answer 1

In Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird," social division is a prominent theme throughout the novel. The story takes place in the 1930s in Maycomb, Alabama, during a time of racial segregation and discrimination. Through the eyes of the young protagonist, Scout Finch, and her older brother Jem, Lee explores the many ways in which social division shapes the lives of the characters in the novel.

One of the most significant ways in which social division is present in the novel is through the segregation of African Americans. The black community in Maycomb is marginalized and excluded from mainstream society. They are forced to live in their own part of town, attend separate schools, and use different water fountains and restrooms. The white residents of Maycomb view the black community as inferior, and this prejudice is evident in the way that they treat them.

Another way in which social division is present in the novel is through class differences. The Finch family, along with other wealthy families in Maycomb, are viewed as the upper class, while other families, such as the Cunninghams, are viewed as lower class. This class difference is evident in the way that the characters behave and interact with each other. For example, the Cunninghams are viewed as uneducated and uncivilized, while the Finch family is viewed as educated and cultured.

Social division is also evident in the way that gender roles are defined in the novel. Women are expected to behave in a certain way and adhere to specific social norms. For example, Scout is expected to dress and act like a lady, and is often scolded by her aunt for her tomboyish behavior. This rigid definition of gender roles creates a divide between men and women and perpetuates gender inequality.

In conclusion, social division is present in "To Kill a Mockingbird" in many ways, including racial segregation, class differences, and gender roles. These divisions are deeply ingrained in the society of Maycomb, and they shape the lives and experiences of the characters in the novel. Through her portrayal of these divisions, Harper Lee offers a critique of the social norms and prejudices of her time and highlights the destructive impact of social division on individuals and communities.

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Answer 2

Answer:To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the small, rural town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the early 1930s. The character of Atticus Finch, Scout's father, was based on Lee's own father, a liberal Alabama lawyer and statesman who frequently defended African Americans within the racially prejudiced Southern legal system. Scout and her brother Jem are raised by their father and by Calpurnia, an African-American housekeeper who works for the family. Scout and Jem meet and befriend seven-year-old Dill Harris, a boy who has arrived in Maycomb to stay with his aunt for the summer. Lee has stated that the character of Dill is based on young Truman Capote, a well-known Southern writer and childhood friend. Together with Dill, Scout and Jem make a game of observing "Boo" Radley, a town recluse who has remained inside his house for fifteen years, trying to provoke him to come outside. Local myth holds that Boo eats live squirrels and prowls the streets at night, and the children's perception of him is colored by such tales. In the fall, Dill returns to his family in the North and Scout enters the first grade. Scout and Jem begin to discover mysterious objects, designed to intrigue children, hidden in a tree on the Radley property.

When Tom Robinson, an African-American man, is accused of raping Mayella Ewell, Atticus is appointed as the defense attorney. Mayella and her shiftless father, Bob Ewell, live in abject poverty on the outskirts of town. The family is known as trouble and disliked by townspeople. Despite this, Atticus's defense of Tom is unpopular in the white community, and Scout and Jem find themselves taunted at school due to their father's defense of a black man. Atticus consistently strives to instill moral values in his children, and hopes to counteract the influence of racial prejudice. The children view their father as frustratingly staid and bookish, until he is asked by the sheriff to shoot a rabid dog that is roaming the street. After Atticus kills the dog, Scout and Jem learn that their father is renowned as a deadly marksman in Maycomb County, but that he chooses not to use this skill, unless absolutely necessary. Scout's aunt, Alexandra, unexpectedly arrives to reside with the Finch family, announcing it is time someone reined in the children. She makes it her mission to counteract Atticus's liberal influence on the children and to instill ladylike virtues in the tomboyish Scout.

Step-by-step explanation: