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Social class systems, synonymous with social hierarchy, have existed throughout history, perpetuating a structure where the upper class exploits those below them. This hierarchical framework significantly influences society, and its effects are profoundly depicted in Harper Lee's novel, To Kill A Mockingbird. Maycomb, the novel's setting, exhibits a rigid class system that plays a pivotal role in the unjust accusation and conviction of Tom Robinson, a black man wrongly accused of a crime. This essay explores the intricate social hierarchy in Maycomb and its ramifications on the characters and events within the narrative.
Maycomb is characterized by a distinct four-tier class structure that influences the town's dynamics, particularly evident in the Tom Robinson case.
The first tier comprises the white-collar Caucasians, exemplified by the Finch family and their neighbors, enjoying societal respect. The second tier includes blue-collar white workers, such as farmers like the Cunninghams, who, despite working diligently, struggle to make ends meet. Atticus enlightens his daughter about the financial dynamics, stating, "[P]rofessional people were poor because the farmers were poor.
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As Maycomb County was farm country, nickels and dimes were hard to come by for doctors and dentists and lawyers" (Lee, 21).
The lower rungs consist of the white trash and the Black community, with the former being impoverished and lacking societal respect. Jem, Atticus' son, encapsulates this social hierarchy, remarking, "There’s four kinds of folks in the world. There’s the ordinary kind like us and the neighbors, there’s the kind like the Cunninghams out in the woods, the kind like the Ewells down at the dump, and the Negroes" (Lee, 226).
This stratification forms the backdrop for the racial prejudice that unfolds in Tom Robinson's trial.
Tom Robinson, a diligent and compassionate man, becomes a victim of the prevailing racial bias in Maycomb. Falsely accused of a crime he did not commit, Tom finds himself ensnared in a web of prejudice and social hierarchy. Despite his innocence, Tom recounts his attempt to help Mayella, stating, "I was just trying to help her out, suh... You’re a mighty good fellow, it seems- did all this for not one penny? ’ ‘Yes, suh. I felt right sorry for her" (Lee, 196,197).
Mayella's father, Mr. Ewell, takes advantage of his social standing to shift blame, accusing Tom of assaulting his daughter. Atticus endeavors to establish Tom's innocence by presenting factual evidence, stating, "...there is circumstantial evidence to indicate that Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led almost exclusively with his left. ... Tom Robinson now sits before you, having taken the oath with the only good hand he possesses—his right hand" (Lee, 204). However, the deeply ingrained prejudice prevailing in Maycomb influences the jury, leading to Tom's unjust conviction.
The trial of Tom Robinson serves as a microcosm of Maycomb's class structure. The first two classes, represented by the predominantly white audience, judge, and jurors, hold the responsibility of ensuring a fair trial. However, the pervasive prejudice proves challenging to overcome. Maycomb's residents treat the trial as a spectacle, as the narrator observes, "[i]t was a gala occasion. There was no room at the public hitching rail for another animal..." (Lee, 160).
Representing the lower classes are the Ewells, the Black community, and Tom Robinson. The trial starkly highlights the prevailing racial bias, emphasizing that in a contest between a black man and a white man, regardless of social status, the white man prevails. Atticus, recognizing the uphill battle, acknowledges, "They’ve done it before and they’ll keep doing it again and when they do it—seems that only children weep" (Lee, 213). Tom's life is sacrificed to the town's prejudices, illustrating the profound impact of the class system on justice in Maycomb.
In conclusion, Maycomb's deeply ingrained social hierarchy and racial prejudice profoundly impact the characters and events in To Kill A Mockingbird. The four-tier class system creates a backdrop for the unjust trial of Tom Robinson, exemplifying the pervasive racism that permeates the town. Despite Atticus's valiant efforts, the prevailing social norms and biases result in an inequitable conviction, reflecting the systemic injustices ingrained in Maycomb. This exploration of social class dynamics provides insight into the broader themes of the novel, demonstrating the enduring consequences of prejudice and inequality.
The Socioeconomic Strata and Injustice in Maycomb. (2016, Oct 08). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/the-effect-of-social-hierarchy-in-to-kill-a-mockingbird-essay
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