Harper Lee presents the citizens of Maycomb as generally respectful individuals who are both friendly and helpful. Citizens of Maycomb visit with each other, offer assistance in times of need and rely upon one another to live a comfortable, peaceful life. As with any community, the citizens have both positive and negative character traits. Although the Maycomb citizens are portrayed as magnanimous, they also hold prejudiced views towards African Americans, and many of them are unapologetically racist. In today's society, prejudiced attitudes are still present, yet overt racism is viewed with contempt and is a cultural taboo in America. Post-Civil Rights era America is more tolerant and accepting of other races, ethnicities, and cultures. In my opinion, it would be unfair to say that today's populace is "more respectful" than the fictional citizens of 1930s Maycomb, Alabama. While our views towards other races, African Americans in general, have developed and modern society is generally more accepting, African Americans still suffer from discrimination throughout America. I would say that today's society treats people of the other races with more respect, but in general, individuals are equally respectful as they were in Harper Lee's Maycomb, Alabama.
No comments:
Post a Comment