To Kill a Mockingbird Theme Project Social Inequalities

SOCIAL INEQUALITIES To: Reader From: Scout as narrator Context: When the people are eating lunch outside the courthouse, before the trial starts. Quote: “The courthouse square was covered with picnic parties sitting on newspapers, washing down biscuit and syrup with warm milk from fruit jars. Some people were gnawing on cold chicken and cold fried pork chops… In a far corner of the square, the Negroes sat quietly in the sun, dining on sardines, crackers, and the more vivid flavors of Nehi Cola.” Explanation: The quote shows that the white people were dining on much more enjoyable items; the black people were dining on less expensive food. Also, the white people were in the shade, while the Negroes were in the hot sun.

EXPLANATION VS. RESTATING ORIGINAL Explanation: The quote shows that the white people were dining on much more enjoyable items; the black people were dining on less expensive food. Also, the white people were in the shade, while the Negroes were in the hot sun. Context: When the people are eating lunch outside the courthouse, before the TOM ROBINSON trial starts. Quote: “The courthouse square was covered with picnic parties sitting on newspapers, washing down biscuit and syrup with warm milk from fruit jars. Some people were gnawing on cold chicken and cold fried pork chops… In a far corner of the square, the Negroes sat quietly in the sun, dining on sardines, crackers, and the more vivid flavors of Nehi Cola.” REVISED: This quote shows just one of the many inequalities seen in Maycomb between blacks and whites. There is a distinct separation between the two races, even down to the food they eat. Clearly the white people have the better meal, whereas the blacks seem to have the bare minimum. Scout (Lee) describes the whites as having a “picnic party” complete with newspaper blankets implying they would not want to ruin their good clothes, and that they see the trial as more of a social event. However, the blacks are sitting quietly, perhaps more aware of the seriousness and gravity of the situation as it directly impacts one of their own.