““Scout,” said Atticus, “nigger-lover is just one of those terms that don’t mean anything─ like snot nose. It’s hard to explain─ ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody’s favoring Negroes over and above themselves. It’s slipped into usage of some people like ourselves, when they want a common, ugly term to call someone.” “You aren’t really a nigger-lover, than, are you?” “I certainly am. I try my best to love everybody─ baby, it’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows how poor that person is, it doesn’t hurt you.”” (Lee, 120) This is an important, educating passage, especially for Scout. To Scout, this may help her cope with all the insults she receives about her father. Now that her father had explained to her that being called a ‘nigger-lover’ isn’t truly an insult as it is meant to be, perhaps Scout will be able to handle her temper better when people yell horrendous things at her about her father and possibly not get as offended. Atticus here also explains that racists use the term ‘nigger-lover’ to suggest that a person is trying to give African Americans special rights, but Atticus points out that he is simply …show more content…
Scout evaluates people based on their actions; therefore people who did the best they could with the tools they were given Scout considers good, respectable people. Aunt Alexandra, on the other hand, assesses people based on their family history. The longer a family has stuck to their roots and the longer they have held their plot of land the more highly she thinks of that family. This shows a lot about Aunt Alexandra and Scout’s values and
In the novel, Scout 's cousin, Francis Hancock, said “I guess it ain’t your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I’m here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family–” (Lee 110). Francis criticized Atticus through Scout. He did not believe that whites should be helping blacks. He called Atticus a “nigger lover” like many others in Maycomb, even though Atticus was simply trying to help an innocent man, treating him the way everyone should be treated. Mrs. Dubose disapproved of the man that Atticus decided to defend. She believed that Atticus has gone against what he was taught when he was raised. To Mrs. Dubose, anyone associated with the Negroes were no better than them. Many people in Maycomb had the same views as Mrs. Dubose. They believed that being friends with a Negro made you trash like them. Therefore, they had been calling Jem and Scout names and insulting Atticus by calling him a nigger lover. Like Mrs. Dubose, Francis said that Atticus had gone against the family.
“ As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men everyday of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t forget it whether a white man does that to a black man, no matter who [or what] he is … That white man is trash” (297). Atticus is saying that every man should respect and accepting of all men including the blacks. The truth of the matter is that man is a man and prejudice is never the answer but a choice of those who don’t want to try to understand but they pre-judge making a stereotype. Prejudice still exist but we need to bring awareness and extinguish it.
One of these examples is when Francis is insulting Atticus which angers Scout deeply causing her to chase after him and hit him. Scout States, “This time I split my knuckle to the bone on his front teeth. My left impaired, I sailed in with my right, but not for long.” (96) She was so willing to defend her father and the morals he instilled in her that she beat someone up. However, Atticus does not approve of this action. When Scout explains the situation to him, he responds, saying “[the insult] is just one of those terms that don't mean anything like snot-nose. It's hard to explain-- ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody's favoring Negroes over and above themselves. It slipped into usage with some people like ourselves, when they want a common, ugly term to label somebody.” (124) While it is clear Scout has purely good intentions, she still has much more to learn from her father which she does, because he is able to explain to her how “it's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name it just shows to you help with that person is it doesn't hurt you.” (124) So although Scout hits Francis, the influence of Atticus was deep within her. Another prominent influence is when Scout states, “I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks.” (259) Atticus has emphasized the teaching of equality to his kids, which is likely the reason Scout was able
" Everyone's aware that the people in Maycomb feel this way about colored people, Atticus just built up the courage to say it. Maycomb residents didn't even try to hide their racism from the children, it was just a normal and expected way of life. As Scout grows older she becomes more curious about racist phrases and beliefs. She asks Atticus what "nigger-lover" means and he replies with,"... It's hard to explain- ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody's favoring Negroes over and above themselves."
In Yussen’s book, Child Development, an Introduction he focuses on the importance of socialization throuhgout the years and defines the word as, “… the process whereby the individaul acquires the attitudes and behaviors considered important and appropriate by the society in which the indivudal lives.” (Yussen 143) Because To Kill a Mockingbird is told from Scout’s perspective, a very young “daddy’s girl” who thinks so highly of her father which gives Atticus a heroic perception. “Atticus, I said one evening, “what exactly is a nigger-lover?” (TKAM 144) Here the puerile tone in which Scout presents her question is characterized by slang terminology. To which Atticus responds in an honest and scholarly tone characterized by his rich understanding of people and racism, “nigger-lover is one of those that don’t mean anything – like snot-nose.
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
One of the characters the reader can most easily follow through this change is the protagonist, Scout. Scout begins the book as an innocent young girl who finds no wrong in the world around her, but as the trial commences and tensions run high, Scout soon learns of the evils the world possesses. Society’s hatred for the blacks is shown so commonly in everyday life that all the children in the novel use the word nigger in an innocent way. Society has taught these kids at a young age that calling the negroes niggers is the cultural norm and that they are expected to use it. Atticus reminds Scout not to use the term, but Scout points out the prevalent usage in their world. “‘Don’t say nigger, Scout. That’s common.’ ‘’s what everybody at school says.’’From now on it’ll be everybody less one—’‘Well if you don’t want me to grow up talkin‘ that way, why do you send me to school?’(77). This conversation shows the reader that the influence on kids to use racist terms is heavy, even the kids can see it. Scout’s brother, Jem, is also influenced by the public’s thoughts. Scout overhears Atticus telling their uncle that he hopes he can get Jem “‘through it without bitterness, and most of all, without catching Maycomb’s usual disease’” (91). The disease Atticus is referring to is the racism the town shows toward negroes. He recognizes that it is common in the town around them, but
I find it interesting the types of jobs you picked; both being completely athletically focused. For the head scout job, would you be interested in all sports or one in particular? I have always wondered what the best age is to begin scouting an athlete... I was surprised that the job of head scout requires them to meet with at least 25 qualified families each week over the phone or via video conferencing. I was not aware of much communication was allowed between the scout and player/ family.
“Do you defend niggers, Atticus?” I asked him that evening. “Of course I do. Don't say nigger, Scout. That's common”(Lee 99).
It is made clear to the reader that a person of color will not be given respect by Maycombians. Further sustaining Maycomb County’s racist social standards is the use of “nigger-lover”. Francis comments to Scout that it is not her fault “‘if Atticus is a nigger-lover’” (Lee 110). Clearly, this term is appropriate in Maycomb County.
Being a lawyer, Atticus wanted to help out everyone who deserved it. Even if that meant having others talk badly of him, and ruining his reputation with society. Recently his daughter Scout had come to an age where she's been subjected to these rumors about her father. In the beginning of chapter 9, Scout asks Jem what a “Nigger” is, which Jem replies with nothing and to ask Atticus. Even with Scout not know what a “nigger-lover” is, she still defends her father.
“If I didn’t have to stay I’d leave. Jem, that damn lady says Atticus’s been teaching me to read and for him to stop it” Scout is upset about getting into trouble for doing something she has been doing since as long as she can remember. This is interesting since there is the (Alabama) Ladies’ Law which is when someone uses obscene language and they get fined $200 or they go to the county jail or they are sent to hard labor for the county for six months. Scouts vocabulary is not right for a young lady and she should be stopped. When Jem and Scout were building a snowman, she says, “I’ve never heard of a nigger snowman” This is racist to say. She uses the word nigger again when she asks Atticus, “Do you defend niggers, Atticus?” Its rude to use the language she uses with people. She would not be cursing if her mother was still alive. Her mother would have taught her what was right and wrong of a young lady. Scout also uses other words like damn, hell in this book. Atticus said, “Don’t pay any attention to her, Jack. She’s trying you out. Cal says
“You aren't really a nigger-lover, then, are you?" (Lee 107-09). "I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody... I'm hard put, sometimes—baby, it's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you.” (Lee 107-09). This quote is one of many that show how racism is used in the story. In this quote Scout has heard someone call Atticus a nigger lover because he is Tom Robinsons lawyer and he is trying to his best job to help him as he can (Lee). Scout doesn’t really understand at first what a nigger lover is until Atticus explains it to her.
Atticus Finch holds himself high with respectable views and morals. He believes that his own self respect is tied with if he ever did something he didn't believe in, he would lose his right of authority. Along with this, Atticus speaks against racism stating that, though some black people may do wrong, that is the same for whites and every other race. He explained that every group of people has it’s good & bad members, and likewise it would be foolish to convict Tom Robinson solely because of his race. When Atticus hears his daughter Scout saying the “n-word” he explains to her of its impropriety and embraced the word around town of him loving blacks claiming that he does, for he loves everyone. Almost the complete adverse of Atticus,is Robert Ewell. Time and time again Tom Robinson dehumanizes Tom Robinson within the court's trial, never referring to Tom by his name or even the pronoun ‘he’. Rather,
"Scout," said Atticus, "nigger-lover is just one of those terms that don't mean anything—like snot-nose. It's hard to explain—ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody's favoring Negroes over and above themselves. It's slipped into usage with some people like ourselves, when they want a common, ugly term to label somebody.""You aren't really a nigger-lover, then, are you?""I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody... I'm hard put, sometimes—baby, it's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you." (Lee 108) Just because of one persons actions and likings for someone doesn’t automatically determine their wealth and value. “Ignorance took the life out of reality” (Dreifus) This quote means to me that not knowing about someone and speaking about it means that the reality is fully not there because in reality every single person on the Earth, presumably has been ignorant at least one time and fully not known the whole story about what is going on, this in its entirety is the definition of ignorance. Both what Atticus and what Cat Dreifus had said are both entirely true and fully