Questions:
Why do you think that Maycomb ignores Dolphus Raymond's actions?
What do you think of Jem's explanation of mixed children?
Do you think Harper Lee will bring Dolphus Raymond back into the story?
Monday, January 25, 2010
Why is Dolphus Raymond in the book?
In Chapter 16 Jem, Dill, Atticus and Scout walk to the courthouse square, which was covered with people having picnics. The negroes sat in the corner of the square eating noticeable simpler meals. Sitting among them was Dolphus Raymond, a white man who preferred to sit with the colored people. He lives near the county line and his children are mixed race. Dolphus Raymond is in the book to symbolize the few whites that did not pay attention to the color of people's skin or the social structure of Maycomb. He has no prejudice against colored people, he chooses to sit with them and spend time with them instead of with people of his own race. This is symbolic because it goes against every belief at the time in Maycomb. Whites considered themselves superior to blacks and did not try to hide it. Dolphus Raymond was the complete opposite.
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I think that in Jem and Scout's day and age this is entirely true except for one part. He describes that mixed race people do not have a place anywhere. But, Mr. Raymond's children are welcomed within the black community of Maycomb. Do you think it is healthy for Scout to have a brother that gives her false information on the way of life in Maycomb?
ReplyDeleteI think Maycomb ignores Dolphus Raymond's actions because he is just one White man out of the majority that prefer to sit with Blacks. I feel that Harper Lee will not bring up Dolphus Raymond back. I think he is just there to show that not all of Maycomb can be prejudice to Black people. Dolphus Raymond represents the minority of Maycomb's people who prefer Blacks than Whites. It is definetly not healthy for Scout to hear all the false information that Jem is feeding her with. The false information could lead to big conceptions and ideas that will, in the long run, not be true. If Dolphus Raymond is brought back into the book do you think something bad will happen to him for preferring to sit with Blacks?
ReplyDeleteIn response to the Yumi and Celia's posts, I would like to say that nothing bad would happen to Dolphus Raymond if he were brought back into the book. I say this because Maycomb ignores his actions. Even though Raymond most likely embarrasses Maycomb, they might feel pity for him because he has mulatto children. If Jem is right, Dolphus Raymond has no place and so he is confused about where to sit. Since the Black community accepts his children he may feel obliged to pay back the gratitude. Since he is ignored, no harm can be done to him. Do you think Dolphus Raymond fits into Jem's description of mixed children?
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