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Essay / The Great Depression - 786
It is a foggy window located in the soul through acquired experiences that sees prejudices. It not only influences and evolves the view, but rather affects the thinking and actions. Everyone has the opportunity to look out the window, but not everyone can see beyond the fog. The fog can be a mixture of race, gender, beliefs or behaviors. The major themes of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird relate to presumptions and prejudices; the rich rejecting the poor due to their economic standard of living during the Great Depression, whites discriminating against blacks, and people gossiping about innocents, resulting in a weak base and an unpleasant relationship within Maycomb society, forcing underdeveloped individuals to live in a dangerous environment. The Great Depression made the poor poorer, while the rich were not affected as much. Some rich people, like Aunt Alexandra, didn't understand people because of their economic lives. Her different view is made clear when she rejects Walter Cunningham, a poor boy, saying, “…they are good people. But they are not our kind” (Lee 224). Aunt Alexandra, believing that the Cunninghams are below the Finches' economic level, ignores Scout's aspect of friendship towards Walter and dislikes him "because he is trash" (Lee 224). 224). She ignores the Cunninghams' hard work to repay Atticus in "the only way [they could]" (Lee 21 has a negative effect on Walter, making him hate being a Cunningham, on Scout by decreasing) . his relationships with his classmates and friends, and about Maycomb developing a dangerous society so that country people leave because they have to deal with unnecessary factors like money to avoid the prejudices of the rich. Maycomb is known for its racist atmosphere where blacks are inferior to the people. However, the entire white community did not discriminate against blacks. For example, Atticus defends Tom Robinson despite Mrs. Dubose's hurtful words that Atticus is "no better than the n*ggers and trash he works for!" (Lee 102) It is evident that Atticus is one of Maycomb's most trusted and honorable citizens. Mrs. Dubose's assessment of Atticus has negative consequences for the other neighbors and clearly hurts Calpurnia's feelings. An example of this racial prejudice is found in Scout's words that. “[Tom is] just a nigger” (Lee 199). Scout's words are evidence of a society that is dangerous for children's development. Another example is found when Aunt Alexandra convinces Atticus to fire Calpurnia, although Atticus tells her that "Calpurnia is not leaving." this house until she wants it” (Lee 137).