How do the prejudices of the town influence the behavior of the people who live there?

Maycomb is a peaceful town to live in as long as everyone stays in his or her assigned social, political, financial, and racial class. If anyone steps out of any of these boundaries, then watch the prejudices fly! No one wants to be singled out, either, because if a person isn't going along with the crowd, then he or she is bound to hear it from the local gossip, the crazy old woman, the local newspaper or their next-door neighbor.

In an effort to fend off the town's prejudices, many people are influenced to behave differently. First of all, Dolphus Raymond is one man who is influenced to behave like a drunk in order to fend off criticism about his interracial relationships and children. He walks around town with Coca Cola wrapped in a brown paper bag in an effort to give people a reason to understand and accept his behavior. He explains it as follows:

"I try to give 'em a reason, you see. It helps folks if they can latch onto a reason. When I come to town, which is seldom. . . folks can say Dolphus Raymond's in the clutches of whiskey—that's why he won't change his ways. He can't help himself, that's why he lives the way he does" (200).

When Mr. Raymond tells this to Scout, she points out that it isn't honest. He responds by saying that it "helps folks," but it helps him to avoid them and their prejudiced ways as well. In addition, it helps him to maintain a certain status quo that everyone can handle.

The prejudices of the town influence the children, too. For instance, Cecil Jacobs tells everyone at school "Scout Finch's daddy defended ni**ers" (74), and Cousin Francis tells Scout that her father is "nothin' but a ni**er-lover" (83). These children would not be saying these things if they, first, didn't hear them at home; second, if they really knew what those words meant; and third, if they knew how hurtful those words were. But the community and their parents teach them these words and that the hatred associated with them is acceptable, which only perpetuates the prejudices and the disrespectful behavior.

Finally, the greatest influence of the town's prejudiced state of mind is demonstrated by the conviction of an innocent black man for the alleged rape of a young white woman. The jury of twelve white men could not get past their old, time-honored prejudices to free an innocent man. They allowed the prejudices of the town to cast their votes against Tom Robinson, not their reason or understanding of the facts of the case. The message that is sent to everyone, black or white, is that they will maintain control of these prejudices even if it means accepting and sustaining lies to do it.