Does Atticus, or anyone else for that matter, have a chance at changing Maycomb's ways? Harper Lee implies that Maycomb is both obdurate and open to change; which side do you feel is more compelling? Where is your proof? Which character do you feel is the most racist? Remember to include all of the different types of racism that exist in the novel (e.g., religion, color, sex, class, etc.). As always, I look forward to reading your responses.
24 comments:
I feel that if Maycomb will ever change it won't be for a very long time. The socitey believes only what they want to believe. For example, although Atticus presents clear and obvious evidence that Tom Robinson is innocent, all of the jurors still say he is guilty just because of his race. Maycomb is also very sterotypical with predetemined judgements about EVERYONE. One person cannot change the whole town, a group of people must stand together for the town to change. Atticus is a good leader for this change.
I defintly agree with Zoe. A change could occur, but it would only take place in a long time. The people of Maycomb are so obdurate and racist. The case is a very good example, as Zoe mentioned. The town obviously knows that Tom Robinson is innocent but because of the racism they hold inside they say they he is still guilty. If the town were to ever look behind their sterotypes and for once veiw blacks equal to whites, a definite change could occur. Atticus is one of the few people who already show his beleif of equality. If a larger number of people were to join Atiicus in his beliefs of equality, Maycomb could be changed.
I agree with zoe and regina that Maycomb can change but it will take a long time. The people of Maycomb county are so racist. They do not care about the truth all they care about is rumors. For instance when Crazy Addie was said to be the culprit and it was proven the people of Maycomb still believed it was Boo. Also as Regina and Zoe said the trial of Tom Robinson. Many people join Atticus in the end for the fight for equality. The change starting to happen and it will change.
I agree with everyone. I think that Atticus is a role model for everyone in Maycomb county. Atticus is going against what others say and he is standing up for what he believes in. I think that change will eventually occur over a period of time, because Atticus is influencing a small group of people in Maycomb, but he is also influencing the future generations. Jem, Scout, and Dill believe that the color of ones skin doesnt matter, and that everyone is equal. I believe that Bob Ewell is the most racist in Maycomb county. Although he is extremely poor he is white therefore he is higher in society than Tom Robinson.
i believe that Mrs. Dubose is the most racist in Mayvcomb County. She is racist against blacks and she yells at Scout for dressing overalls and looking messy. She also did not approve of the white people who wanted equality and always siad mean things about Atticus all the time.
I really don't agree with you guys because I think Maycomb can change. Like on the jury there was one Cunningham who was actually thinking of changing his ways and saying Tom Robinson wasn't guilty. This shows Maycomb is changing it might take awhile. But look today we would have never thought the schools would be shared by all ethnicities. and all it took was a little change and for people to stand up for what is right. And Ms. Dubose had a morphine addiction and though she was racist she didn't remember a thing she was saying because of the morphine she used.
I do not think anyone can change the way the adults in Maycomb think. Most of the families have been in the town for centuries and their ideas are engraved in their minds forever. There is a possibility Maycomb could change if the children of Maycomb are raised differently but otherwise no.
Everyone has a chance to change, and even if not everyone in Maycomb changes, alot might. You can tell in the book how alot of them saw the innocence of Tom Robinson through Atticus's defense, although none of them stood up for him. But alot more Atticuses might come along, and that may be enough to influence how the people think.
I think that everyone has the ability to change other people's views. It depends on how strong their argument is. As Claudia said, many people saw the innocence of Tom Robinson, but chose not to say anything because they were afraid. This relates to the theme of racism because people were afraid to stand up for Tom, because they knew that they would receive criticism from others, just like Atticus.
Maycomb itself is racist. I don't think that they will ever change unless someone or something new and bold is introduced in the community tells them to be otherwise. From the events in the book you can tell that no one is willing to risk rejection by speaking up about the racism besides Atticus. A following must be formed. Multipul people who arent afraid to step out and say, "This wrong, and we need to stop."
I disagree with Joe because not everybody is afraid to speak their mind that rascism is wrong. One of the Cunninghams decided that Tom Robinson was not guilty.
I disagree with Joe because during the case one of the people on the jury disagreed with the rest of them. He believed that Tom Robinson was not guilty. So even if it is only one person it will eventually get larger and change will occur. Atticus is affecting the younger generation and they will eventually be in charge of Maycomb County.
Actually he was only thinking about changing his mind and their is more than one person in Maycomb who think that racism is bad. Just like Mr. Dolphus Raymond sat with the black people instead of the white and he was not racist. He also made sure Bob Ewell won't harm Mrs. Robinson when she goes to his farm to work in the morning and follow her home and hurt her at night. Another non racist person is Hecate the officer of Maycomb he is on Atticus's side and the reporter who notices Jem and Scout are at the court case. So there are actually more than one person and there is a lot more than this. Little by little more people are seeing that this is wrongso eventually the town will change just like how all the states in the U.S. eventually changed.
I agree with Erica. Eventually, the town of Maycomb will change into a more accepting community. The younger generations of Maycomb county do not express as much racism as the older generations. I believe that once the younger generations are in charge Maycomb will accept all people for who they are. On the other hand, i believe Aunt Alexandra is the most racist out of all the characters. She scolds Scout for not being "ladylike." Aunt Alexandra also disrespects Calpurnia and Atticus just because they are assosicated with black people.
I agree with alll the people who say it will change over time. Children believe what their parents believe because they're influenced. While more people change, some may find it easier to change now because they are not alone.
I agree with Joe in saying that Maycomb as an overall "major" character is racist. There are too many people in the story to mark out as being racist, and from what we read in the story, about Mr. Ewell, and Mrs. Dubose, and even the jury...it's apparent that there is "prejudice" in the air. Even though some characters may seems WAY more racist than others, I think it's safe to say that almost everyone in this small town has a discriminatory edge to them.
I disagree with Shane. Already by the end of the trial you can see the town changing a little bit. Even with the horrible outcome of the trial that led to the death of Tom Robinson, Atticus did have an effect on the town's mind about rasism. Bob Ewell although he won the trial was very embarressed. Atticus made him look like the bigest lier and a fool. You can see how ashanmed Bob Ewell felt by the things he was doing for revenge. He stalked Tom Robinson's former wife, tried to break into the judge's home and then attacked Jem and Scout. His motive for this was he knew the town all knew he was a lier. The town as you can see has a high amout of potential to be changed. I think this trial made some people think twice about accusing someone just because of thier race. In this book the most racist character had to be Bob Ewell because he went through so much truble and his reputation is trashed just to punish an innocent man because of his race.
Well i agree with George that the town is overall racist but Maureen is right that the town will eventually change over time and you can easily see it is already changing little by little.
Yeah, I agree that Maycomb is not always going to be as racist as it is now but as of right now almost everybody treats blacks poorly and not equally. When Jem , Scout and Dill are in the Radleys backyard to sneak a peek at Boo , Nathan Radley gets out his shotgun and shoots it because he thinks it was a black person going through his backyard. They all think of blacks as savages, troublemakers and think they are terrible people. Atticus is trying to change Maycomb's ways but its going to take awhile.
I agree with Jamie and George that Maycomb is very racist. They all are treat blacks poorly. I think that it will take a lot of people to help change Maycomb, but I think it will happen. Atticus is a very great leader for this reform in Maycomb. Also, the predjudice may end for the blacks but woman will still be discriminated against until a later time.
obviously Maycomb is extremely racist. They are not open to the truth, they believe what they want to believe, they spread rumors, and they don't treat blacks fairly. I disagree with some of you because although Atticus has the potential, the power, the hope, and the patience to try to change Maycomb, i still don't think he will be able to just because everyone is so bitter and mean.
Maureen- I think Atticus had an affect on many of the people in Maycomb after the trial, but as a town together and in general i do not think they will be able to change. People in Maycomb may realize the town is bad but i don't think that Atticus can change MAYCOMB and make then not racist.
Lauren, you have the final word. This blog topic is now CLOSED. Thank you for your participation.
Thanks for putting your views on this blog it is helping me on my project im doing on Racism in Maycomb County
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