I think Jem, Scout, and Dill sitting in the Black section of the courthouse represents the hate for the black community that exists in Maycomb. The trio sat with Reverend Sykes to not be seen by Atticus, but I think it really represented how the town feels about the Finches. When Jem said “Around here once you have a drop of Negro blood, that makes you all black” he probably didn't realize that it also slightly applies to him and Scout (Lee 216). Ever since the whole town learned about the Tom Robinson case Jem and Scout have been treated differently. When the Finches became associated to the black community, the white community felt that they couldn't trust the Finches any more. Even though Atticus was only doing his job, fighting for justice. As much as the white community thinks they are superior in Maycomb I think they actually really fear the black community having power. They are worried that Atticus helping the black community will give them more power over the white community. I think overall, Jem and Scout don't realize the full extent to what Atticus is doing and how much it is affecting the Maycomb community.
I agree with the idea that the white community in Maycomb fears the black community gaining power. I also think that although Jem’s statement about having a drop of Negro blood makes you black does apply to him and Scout, they are still considered superior to the black community. At the beginning of the case, when Jem and Scout sit with Reverend Sykes, Scout states that “Four Negros rose and gave us their front-row seats.” (Lee 219) This quote shows how even though the Finch family may not be trusted by the white community, they are still seen as above people of color. This could have also been a sign of respect for the Finch family from the black community, to show how grateful they are for Atticus defending Tom Robinson in court. Maycomb is divided into two communities, and this court case had made the Finches members of both.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that the white people of Maycomb are afraid of the black people gaining power. One clear example of this is when Atticus is talking about Braxton despising negros in front of Calpurnia. Once Calpurnia leaves the room, Aunt Alexandra says, "'Don't talk like that in front of [Calpurnia]' [...] 'I don't think it's a good habit, Atticus. It encourages them. You know how they talk among themselves'" (Lee 209, 210) This quote shows that Aunt Alexandra is worried about the black community possibly revolting and rising in power, thus the reason why she doesn't want Atticus talking about black prejudice in front of Calpurnia.
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ReplyDeleteAdding on to my post:
DeleteI think that the location Jem, Scout, and Dill were sitting, the balcony has some representation of its own. Since it is higher up, I immediately thought of superiority, but at first it didn't make sense to me because the people of the white community were the ones who ran Maycomb not the black community. I think now, that the real representation of the balcony is that the black community was superior to the white community, maturity wise. The black community knew the truth that Tom Robinson didn't do it. They weren't watching the trial for entertainment, rather watching it to support Tom Robinson but also in hope that justice will be brought. This all connects back to Jem and Scout as they think more maturely about the case compared to the rest of the white community. They understand the injustice due to racism. When Scout asks " ' Atticus, are we going to win [the trial]?'[ he responds] 'No honey'" (Lee 101). As much as Jem and Scout sitting in the balcony with the black community represents the towns opinions towards the Finches it also represents the different levels of maturity.