Introduction
Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ (1960) is a seminal work of American literature that explores themes of race, morality, and social inequality in the 1930s Deep South. Among these, economic class plays a critical role in shaping characters’ lives and the unfolding of key events. This essay examines how economic disparities influence the narrative by analyzing three significant moments in the novel: Scout’s interaction with Walter Cunningham Jr., the social hierarchy evident during the trial of Tom Robinson, and the depiction of the Ewells as the lowest rung of Maycomb’s class system. Through these moments, it becomes clear that economic class not only dictates social standing but also drives conflict and reinforces prejudice, reflecting broader societal issues of the time.
Scout’s Encounter with Walter Cunningham Jr.
Early in the novel, Scout’s interaction with Walter Cunningham Jr. highlights the stark differences in economic status and the social behaviours tied to them. When Walter visits the Finch household, Scout is puzzled by his unfamiliarity with basic table manners, such as pouring syrup over his food. Calpurnia, the Finch family’s housekeeper, reprimands Scout for her lack of empathy, explaining that Walter’s family lacks the resources for such refinements (Lee, 1960, p. 27). This moment reveals how economic deprivation shapes Walter’s worldview and interactions, while Scout’s initial ignorance underscores her privilege as part of a middle-class family. This incident sets the stage for understanding how class differences create social barriers, a recurring theme in the novel. Indeed, Scout’s gradual learning of empathy through such encounters suggests that class awareness, though divisive, can also foster personal growth.
Class Hierarchy at Tom Robinson’s Trial
The trial of Tom Robinson is a pivotal event where class intersects with race to influence justice. The courtroom seating arrangement physically represents Maycomb’s social hierarchy, with white attendees, regardless of economic status, seated separately from Black attendees. However, within the white community, class distinctions are evident: the Finches and other middle-class families are contrasted with poorer white families like the Ewells, whose poverty does not diminish their racial privilege over Tom Robinson (Lee, 1960, pp. 186-187). This moment illustrates how economic class, while significant, is often secondary to racial identity in determining social power. Furthermore, Atticus Finch’s defence of Tom, despite community disapproval, reflects his class-enabled moral stance, highlighting how economic security can afford individuals the freedom to challenge societal norms. This dynamic arguably exposes the limitations of class as a sole determinant of influence when race is a factor.
The Ewells and the Bottom of the Social Ladder
The Ewell family epitomizes the lowest economic class in Maycomb, living in abject poverty near the town dump. Their economic deprivation is tied directly to their social ostracism and moral failings, as seen in Bob Ewell’s abusive behaviour and Mayella’s false accusation against Tom Robinson. During the trial, Atticus reveals that the Ewells’ poverty enables their marginalization, yet they exploit racial superiority to assert dominance over Tom (Lee, 1960, pp. 194-195). This moment underscores a complex interplay: while economic class positions the Ewells at society’s bottom, racial hierarchy offers them a perverse form of power. This paradox suggests that class, though a significant driver of events, operates within a broader framework of systemic inequities, complicating any straightforward interpretation of its impact.
Conclusion
In ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, Harper Lee masterfully demonstrates how economic class shapes characters’ experiences and the novel’s central conflicts. From Scout’s naive confrontation with Walter Cunningham Jr.’s poverty to the layered hierarchies of the courtroom during Tom Robinson’s trial, and the desperate assertions of power by the impoverished Ewells, class emerges as a pervasive force. These moments collectively reveal that economic status influences social interactions, access to justice, and moral agency, often intertwining with racial prejudice to amplify inequality. The implications of this analysis extend beyond the novel, prompting reflection on how class continues to underpin societal divisions. Understanding these dynamics in Lee’s work thus offers valuable insight into the enduring challenges of achieving equity in stratified societies.
References
- Lee, H. (1960) To Kill a Mockingbird. J.B. Lippincott & Co.
