Entry #7

Journal #7
Chapters 18-23
Perspective: Free Write

Choice C: So far, is this a novel about race? Class? Gender? Coming of Age? Place? Select and defend your answer.

I think this book revolves around racism. In Maycomb county, life is lived a certain way. The white people live by themselves and the black people by themselves as well. There is no connect between any two races and they just live there own separate lives. Then when a court case comes up involving and black man and a white man it begins to stir the town. The story of the book is based on the court case. The part that makes the book so interesting is that the twelve members of the jury have to make up their minds whether to go with what the facts say or go with racism. Clearly, racism is a crucial part of the story.
“Cry about the hell white people give colored folks, without even stopping to think they’re people, too.” This was a quote from Mr. Dolphus Raymond on page 201, chapter 20. He is explaining how people can be so mean to black people just because of their color. Mr. Raymond is a perfect example of how race matters in the book. He pretends he is drunk just so white people think that is why he hangs out around Negros. People just wouldn’t understand why someone would be nice to black people for no reason. No one understands that they are just the same as them.
Another reason race is important in the book is because of Tom Robinson’s trial. It would have been an easy case if he were white. All the evidence was there and Mr. Ewell didn’t have much to his name any ways. The part that made this case so difficult is because of his color. It was between doing what was right and doing what everybody was expecting of you. Clearly, if he were not a different race, the book would not have any point.
Overall, race is incredibly important to the book. You would not be understood if you even sat with black people. It took the jury hours to decide because Tom Robinson was a black man. In conclusion, there would have not been as many conflicts in the book if race was not involved.