To Kill a Mockingbird
Prejudice is illustrated in a different manner throughout Chapter 12. Explain this new depiction.
Chapter 9-11 Study Guide
Chapter 9-11 Study Guide
In Chapter Twleve, Calpurnia takes the children to church, and a black woman named Lula tries to tell Calpurnia that white children don't belong there. However, Calpurnia points out that it's the same God, and the rest of the congregation welcomes the newcomers. Lula's defensive attitude toward allowing the Finch children into the church demonstrates that although the black community is by and large welcoming, there are always people, black or white, who are less generous or unfair, which relates to Atticus's courtroom speech where he explains that there are honest and dishonest people everywhere, regardless of race. Creating one somewhat hostile black character in Lula, saves the black populace from becoming an unrealistic stereotype for unambiguous "good" in the book. The experience of being temporarily restricted from the space of the church also forces the Finch children to momentarily experience the same kind of racial discrimination that is a terrible daily reality for the black community. Lula's actions suggest that in retaliation against the cruelty of white domination, she wants the black community to, like whites, have their own spaces and lead mutually exclusive lives. The others, however, seem more interested in working toward a peaceful integration between blacks and whites despite historical atrocities and animosity.
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