How Does Dolphus Raymond Use Hatred In To Kill A Mockingbird

Throughout the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, first published in 1960, Harper Lee uses various characters to demonstrate themes. Harper Lee uses minor characters behaviours and mannerisms to show the effects of hatred and prejudice on adults and children.

Cecil Jacobs and Burris Ewell show the impact on what parents say around their children and how children easily adopt their parents ideologies. Cecil Jacob was the product of a racist upbringing. When fighting with scout in the schoolyard, Cecil says " my folks said your daddy was a disgrace an’ that --- oughta hang from the water tank!” (Lee, page 102). Children are innocent and incapable of forming such harsh opinions by themselves. The only way for Cecil to have formed these opinions is

For instance, Dolphus was allowing the town to assume things about him because the alternative was much worse. When asked why he pretends he says” I try to give ‘em a reason, you see. It helps folks if they can latch onto a reason. When I come to town, which is seldom, if I weave a little and drink out of this sack, folks can say Dolphus Raymond’s in the clutches of whiskey- that's why he won't change his ways. He can't help himself, that's why he lives the way he does.” ( page 268). Dolphus was forced to protect his family from more criticism by not correcting Maycomb’s rationalization of his behaviour. Dolphus suffered in the process having people slander his name and think poorly of him. The rumours about Arthur also affected him and altered his way of living dramatically. The town is spreading ideas that “when people's azaleas froze in a cold snap, it was because he had breathed on them. Any stealthy crimes committed in Maycomb were his work.” (Page 10). The false accusations toward Arthur make him hesitant to come outside. People already believe these false claims wholeheartedly and if Arthur came outside he would become a spectacle. Arthur is shy and timid so to avoid the towns reaction to seeing him his only option is to stay inside. Dolphus and Arthur show the terrible, irreversible consequences of prejudice and how characters are