To Kill A Mockingbird Southern Social Classes Essay

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Southern Social Classes In all cultures and societies, social classes exist and are frequently described as upper, middle, and lower classes. In Harper Lee's novel To Kill A Mockingbird the social classes of the south are illustrated. Atticus Finch and his family, Walter Cunningham, Bob Ewell and Tom Robinson clearly illustrate the southern social classes. The upper class was made up of plantation owners and professionals. Because farming became vastly commercialized in the south, most landowners across the south became prominent businessmen. Atticus has his own land, which is the Finches, he is a prominent businessman; lawyer. Calpurnia helps around in his home by cleaning his choirs and taking care of his children (Scout and Jem). Atticus is very good at his job of being a lawyer and the people of Maycomb know him and his family very well and treat him with the utmost respect. We understand that Atticus belongs to the upper class because of his fancy suits and flashy jewelry. However, Atticus acts as though he is in the middle class by his humble demeanor. In chapter 20 while being in the courthouse, Atticus Finch removes his jacket, vest, chain, watch, and he takes off his tie and unbuttons his shirt. Atticus understands that he is ranked at the upper class of social structure but he does this to show or portray that he is a …show more content…
To Kill A Mockingbird is no different as Harper Lee's characters illustrate the social classes of the time. Atticus Finch being at the upper class because of his land, he owns and how he is a proficient lawyer, the Cunninghams being at the middle class because they work as farmers and their son goes to school, the Ewells because they remain poor and their ignorance causes them to do nothing with their lives, and lastly African Americans because of the time they are settling dealing with racism and
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