Currumbin Creek Water Quality

ANALYTICAL EXPOSITION

In the narrative, ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird,’ by Harper Lee, Atticus provides some strong advice to his daughter, Scout which changes her views on things throughout the novel. “You can never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view. Until you climb into his skin.” Scout, at this point in the novel, disregards her fathers words of wisdom, but as the novel progresses she grows to understand her father’s statement and how it was associated with the hatred and impurities of prejudice. Prejudice can be defined as any preconceived opinion without loss to or to any existing right or claim. Or put simply, judging someone before you meet them. Prejudice is a main ingredient used to create the atmosphere of the town. There are four main characters that have been prejudged or misunderstood throughout the novel, they are; Arthur ‘Boo’ Radley, Tom Robinson, Dolphus Raymond and Mrs. Dubose.

Mrs. Dubose, the first victim of prejudice, is an elderly woman suffering from a heroin addiction. Most of the town, especially the children are unaware of this. Jem and Scout are often exposed to her sometimes brutal verbal cruelty whenever they pass by her house. Page 110 is a particular occasion, “If she was on the porch when we passed, we would be raked by her wrathful gaze, subjected to ruthless interrogation regarding our behaviour…..” Because of this Jem and Scout hate her, although uninformed of her condition. The townspeople are so naive they have spread rumours behind her back. A good example of this is in chapter 11, “It was rumoured that she kept a CSA pistol concealed among her numerous shawls and wraps.” Their prejudgements are made without considering things from her point of view. Without walking in her shoes.

Another true victim of prejudice is Dolphus Raymond, a white man with mixed coloured children and a reputation as a strong drinker. In chapter 20 he offers Dill a drink from his paper sack and Dill reluctantly accepts. Scout watching unwillingly, quotes on the situation in her head, “Somehow, I didn’t think Atticus would like if we became friendly with Mr. Raymond, and I knew Aunt Alexandra wouldn’t.” When Mr. Raymond laughs about the circumstances, Scout feels he is “….evidently taking delight in corrupting a child.” These suppositions were made before they found out there was Coca-Cola in the paper bag. He lets the children know that he acts as if he is a drinker to avoid being harassed about his Negro wife and mixed children. For this reason Mr. Raymond