Their example challenges stereotypical notions associated with poverty while emphasizing education, work ethic and personal responsibility as essential parts of everyday life. In To Kill A Mockingbird, as an additional message to the main theme of the novel, Lee seeks to show two polar reactions to poverty, that of the Cunninghams and the Ewells. The first way they vary is in their appearance. How each family copes with their struggles during hard times, has always been a source of great topics for many writers. It can also be seen in atticus volunteering to defend people outside of his social class even if they may have trouble paying him. The Ewells and Cunninghams have many ways of life in common. When his teacher tells him to go to the principals office, he responds with, Aint no snot-nosed slut of a schoolteacher ever born cn make me do nothin! (Lee 37). He aint like the Ewells. They are seen as hardworking people with limited resources who remain trustworthy and respectable despite this setback. Both children are poor in appearance, Walter with a face that "told everybody in the first grade that he had hookworms", and Burris being "the filthiest human being I had ever seen". These laws play a huge role in To Kill A Mockingbird by setting up the social environment of the book. This class was treated with mostly respect, but they were expected to maintain their integrity of white peoples and their own families. There were four classes. A theme in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, is that family is priceless and worthy to rescue from danger, and this theme connects with real life crisis in the modern world today. The Ewells involvement in immoral activities, including alcoholism and abuse, is a significant aspect of their portrayal in Harper Lees novel To Kill a Mockingbird.. The position of "Fine Folks" is an issue debated throughout the novel, first raised when "Aunt Alexandra was of the opinion "that the longer a f. amily had been squatting on one patch of land, the finer it was. " Below is a comparison table highlighting the key differences between the Ewells and Cunninghams in Harper Lees novel To Kill a Mockingbird: This table provides a concise overview of the contrasting characteristics of the Ewells and Cunninghams in various aspects. For example Mr. Atticus Finch provided legal services to the Cunninghams and did not expect payment of any kind. The first major difference in scruples is the Cunningham's strong sense of justice, juxtaposed with the Ewells' complete lack thereof. He was also the first man to be "fired from the WPA for laziness". Atticus recognises that "Mr Cunningham's basically a good man", even though he was the leader of Tom Robinson's lynch mob; in contrast "Atticus said [the Ewells] were absolute trash". To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, explains the effects of having compassion through Scout getting to know Walter Cunningham, Atticus defending a colored man, and atticus treating Bob Ewell with respect., To Kill A Mockingbird is a novel that is artistically written. Mr Cunningham also displays a hard-working attitude, as he "could get a WPA job", but does not so that he can "keep his land and vote as he please[s]", and also as he "don't have much but gets along on it". Mr. Ewell and Mr. Cunningham both have wives and many Related Documents This cowardice contrasts strongly with the courage shown in many instances by the Cunninghams. From these characters, Harper Lees audience learns that there are many characters in this book that are brave., Their personality and behaviour are awful and it is all Bob Ewells fault. The Ewells are a poor family who live in Maycomb. Both of these turn out to be families who both live in Maycomb, Alabama. Cunninghams Vs Ewells Compare And Contrast Example - Phdessay a. What do we learn about the Ewell family and the Cunningham family? The Ewells are the most despicable family in Maycomb County, and the head of their household, Bob Ewell, is the antagonist of the story. In chapter 15, when Scout helps Mr Cunningham to see sense, he realises that the mob has no right to lynch Tom, and has a strong enough moral virtue to enjoin the rest of the mob to "clear off". Mr Cunningham Quotes - 694 Words | Cram The family who has to use their money scarcely, will not take money or donations from anyone without knowing for sure that they can pay them back. Americas classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, has been placed on the banned book list ever since it was first published. However, their greatest misfortune appears to be their laziness - they seem to blame everybody else for their circumstances but do nothing to change them. These are irony, symbolism, first person dialogue and tone. These two groups of people are known as the Cunninghams, and the Ewells. Cunninghams Vs Ewells - 738 Words | Studymode The first way they vary is in their appearance. Although it is obvious that Walter Cunningham is poor, he does "have on a clean shirt and neatly mended overalls", illustrating the effort he makes to be presentable. Mr. Walter Cunningham, however, brought Atticus various things from his farm throughout the year until he reached a point which he considered fair payment for his services. The Ewells are selfish are spend their relief checks on green wisky (31). Bob Ewell was pretty much set in his twisted ways. To Kill A Mockingbird Cunninghams Analysis | ipl.org The common characteristics of a community can also dictate who belongs and who does not. In todays society people people do not usually care about others, it is one for all instead of all for one. What is the difference between the finches Cunninghams and Ewells However, the Cunninghams look as best the can with a clean shirt and neatly pressed overalls (19). Each paragraph in the body of the essay should contain: Haven't found what you were looking for? Comparing Cunninghams And Ewells In 'To Kill A Mockingbird'. Type your requirements and I'll connect The Cunninghams are respected and admired for their hard work and honesty, while the Ewells are despised for their laziness and deceitful behavior. The first way they vary is in their appearance. Why does walter Cunningham drench his lunch in molasses/syrup? The Ewells dont. They accused an innocent man, Tom Robinson, a Negro, of rape. To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter 3-4 Flashcards | Quizlet To Kill A Mockingbird should absolutely remain on the banned book list because it shows racism throughout the entire book and teaches the reader that being prejudice is alright. Eventually, they have to go back and work in the fields. As are family values. The Ewell family is the opposite of the Cunningham family. The social norm of this time was to respect whites, and treat blacks differing. They have no concerns about what people might think of them. The Ewells were truly guests of the county of Maycomb. The Cunninghams are private and self-sufficient while the Ewells are lazy and the dad is a unemployed drunkard. Challenging Prejudice: The Ewells and Cunninghams juxtaposed depictions present readers with an opportunity to confront preconceived notions and stereotypes, particularly their assumptions that all white individuals enjoy privileged positions. My Residing in Maycomb County, Atticus Finch and his two children, Scout and Jem, gain appreciation for tolerance as they encounter diverse characters such as Tom Robinson and Boo Radley. They too, lived outside the town of Maycomb, but they lived in an old abandoned Negro's cabin behind the town dump. It was clear to all of Maycomb that the Ewells were the type of folk to stay away from and most did. Tom Robinson is accused of raping a young white woman named Mayella Ewell. Atticus is trying to convey a point of equality and no prejudice in a world of social inequality which, as one can imagine, didn 't go over so well. One way theyre different is their personalities. Only a polite person would respond this way. The Ewell family lives like animals (30) and gets along with what the have. During the great depression of the1930s there were many families who couldn't make ends meet. He caught me by the shoulders, put his arm around me, and led me sobbing in fury to his bedroom. Little Chuck even calls Burris "a hard down mean one" (27). The most recognizable difference between the families is their mindset. For Scout, throughout the book, social class overrides racism in terms of how she judges and values other people at first, but ultimately a persons essence determines their real value., In Harper Lees autobiographical narrative, To Kill a Mockingbird, characters like Atticus, Dolphus Raymond, and Tom Robinson demonstrate many forms of courageous behavior; in contrast, characters like Bob Ewell demonstrate cowardice. They are very hard working and always meet people with a great level of affection and simplicity. cookie policy. Techniques such as metaphors, the use of a child narrator and imagery are frequently used throughout the novel. Both families struggle financially, but Cunninghams handle their situation with dignity and integrity. the Cunninghams and the Ewells are both White, poor families who own entailments. Her experience of the Great Depression was a major influence in the writing of the book, as she uses the contrast of these two families to show that there is hope for those in poverty, if people learn from the Ewells and emulate the Cunninghams. Examination of Moral Values: The Ewells and Cunninghams each reflect different sets of moral values. Despite their financial struggles, the Cunninghams maintain their pride and integrity. Atticus Are we as poor as the Cunninghams? (Lee 27). Here is an exploration of these behaviors and their implications: The Ewells involvement in immoral activities such as alcoholism and abuse contributes to their negative reputation and social marginalization within Maycomb County. All of these characters occupy a specific role in the social pyramid based on race, class, and other factors. The Ewells are known for being poor white trash and do not follow morals or have manners of any kind. These two groups of people are known as the Cunninghams, and the Ewells. Living conditions and reputation in Maycomb County vary significantly between the Ewells and Cunninghams in Harper Lees novel To Kill a Mockingbird.. To illustrate, the Cunninghams are very polite, kind and respectful whereas in comparison the Ewells are loud, mean and violent. Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird famously said in his closing arguments: "You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some negro men are not to be trusted around women- black or white. Print Showing them the harsh reality of life with honesty and fearlessness. As the oldest child, Mayella becomes a mother figure for her younger siblings. He said that the Ewells were members of an exclusive society made up of Ewells (Lee 40-41). With the Ewells, they have little education because none of them have ever completed school. Dmitri loves doing research, writing, and teaching various courses. Differences Between Consuming & Smoking Cannabis, Distinguishing AKC from UKC: A Comparison. One way theyre different is their personalities. Boo Radley and his isolation from Maycomb County, the racial aspects of Tom Robinson, and the decision Atticus Finch makes as a lawyer, to defend a black man has all made them fall in the hands of Maycombs prejudice ways. One summer, Atticus, who is a lawyer, finds himself in the middle of a controversial case, involving a African American man, Tom Robinson and a white woman, Mayella. People of color were not allowed to share the same bathrooms as whites, use the same water fountain, or eat in the same restaurant. 20 Mar. Even though Walter Cunningham "gets held back sometimes because he has to stay out and help his daddy", he still attends school regularly. 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By continuing well assume youre on board with our cookie policy. The upper most class consisted of whites who were considered rich after years of depression. She took off her glasses and stared at me. Social inequality caused the Ewells to be shunned in a way or looked down on which made Mr. Ewell, Similarities Between Cunninghams And Ewells. In Maycomb being established in society is very important for the residents of the town. Shmoop Editorial Team. The Ewells reside in a rundown shack near the town dump, lacking basic hygiene and stability. Similarities Between Cunninghams And Ewells | ipl.org Both families have many differences which are so glaring that no one can confuse them, or compare their ways of dealing with the major aspects of life. Understanding the differences between Ewells and Cunninghams is paramount to comprehending the broad themes of this novel. Get expert help in mere They do not try to become good people and are quite satisfied with the bad activities they indulge in. Meanwhile, the Cunninghams farm and try to make a better lifestyle by working. Whereas Walter Cunningham was very quiet and kind at school towards Miss Caroline Fisher. In fact these families are so similar, and yet so different its a little strange. He seems to care more about people's feelings and how he presents himself opposed to Burris. (pg 232) What Atticus is trying to convey is a foreign concept to most people in Maycomb county. It was published in 1960 and was instantly successful. How is the racial problem of the southern states of USA in the 1930s portrayed in To Kill a Mockingbird? The lack of education and intellectual development is a notable aspect of the Ewells portrayal in Harper Lees novel To Kill a Mockingbird.. SouthPark, Suite 1200, The Ewell's, and the Cunningham's are both part of the lower class of Maycomb. If you just learn a single trick, Scout, youll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. PDF Cite Share Expert Answers Jason Lulos | Certified Educator Share Cite The Ewells and Cunninghams. For one, there is the truancy. The Ewells are selfish people as they always try to cheat, steal and borrow things; in addition to all this, they are also alcoholic. The town sheriff called it an accident and no one was apprehended for his death. The Ewell children also display this laziness, as they come to school on the "first day every year then leave". Despite their financial struggles, his family exhibits strong work ethics and self-sufficiency despite any setbacks; they are respected for their integrity, honesty, and upholding of community values despite living on welfare themselves. However, the Cunninghams look as best the can with a clean shirt and neatly pressed overalls (19). A poacher is someone who hunts during the non-hunting season. Ewells are a family of low social status, struggling with poverty and the lack of education. The Cunningham family, led by Walter Cunningham Sr., are well known for their strong work ethic and self-sufficiency. Life is full of lessons, the movie version of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is not! The Jim Crow laws were created for states in the south, in which it strongly enforced segregation from the late 1890s until the 1960s. In contrast to this, although the Ewells also know Tom is innocent, they choose to accuse him merely to hide Mayella's socially tabooed love of a black man. He accepts payment from the cunninghams in the form of hickory nuts. (225) This shows how social classes separate people even if they are from the same place. In the book, " To Kill a Mockingbird " there are two groups of people who are close to being completely different. According to Jem, there are four kinds of folks in Maycomb, which include the "ordinary kind" like themselves and their neighbors, the country folks like the Cunninghams, trashy people like the. The Ewells and Cunninghams are two families described in Harper Lees masterpiece, To Kill A Mockingbird. Cunninghams vs Ewells. The portrayal of a catalyst and prophet matches the personality of Jeremy Jem Atticus Finch; serving as the brother and friend of his sister Scout, Jems once innocent and naive world view is exposed to the less savory aspects of southern culture when his father takes on a case defending an African American man accused of rape. Another difference is their lifestyle. Besides Atticus Finch, other characters in the town of Maycomb such as Boo Radley, and Scout Finch are all known for their courageous and sometimes defying actions throughout the book., Author Harper Lees novel To Kill a Mockingbird is written about two siblings, Jean Louise and Jeremy Finch. 1, 90-135,d, Poland. Burris only shows up to school once every year! By continuing well assume youre on board with our and Mr Cunningham's willingness "to go hungry to keep his land and vote as he pleased" shows their bravery, as they are willing to silently endure hunger each day in order to reach their goals. As the dehumanizing factors of institutionalized and widespread racial discrimination and prejudice become evident, Jem learns that empathy and human understanding are crucial in realizing full human potential. Why are the Ewells treated differently than others? Cunninghams basically a good man he just has his blind spots, along with the rest of us. When Atticus claims that he has blind spots, he means that Mr. Cunningham ignored their relationship because of his driving hatred for black people. This saying is true in many cases and happens to be true in To Kill A Mockingbird. The Cunninghams love education, and their children attend their class at school on a regular basis; the Ewells, on the other hand, do not heed education and their children do not go to school regularly. ., Cited: "To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 9 Summary." The prison was more like a state industrial school, were the boys actually were fed and given an education. In To Kill A Mockingbird the Cunninghams and the Ewells are perfect examples of, The word community is explained by the Oxford Dictionary as people of a district or country considered collectively, especially in the context of social values and responsibilities; society. A community is determined by shared characteristics which could include location, culture, race, or beliefs. Lee uses the juxtaposition of the Cunninghams and Ewells to illustrate two opposite reactions to poverty. To kill a mockingbird Ch. 3 Flashcards | Quizlet a. Walter drenches his lunch in syrup because he comes from a poor family and doesn't usually have the opportunity to enjoy things such as molasses, so he wants to take advantage of it while he can. Atticus sees how the town of Maycomb has changed due to the great depression saying Cunninghams are country folks, farmers, and the crash hit them the hardest. The equalities were few, and aside from being from the country, having lots of children and having had trouble with the law, the similarities ended. Aunt Alexandra was hypocritical because her statements about Cousin Joshua and the Cunninghams. Many books have been placed on the banned book list, they have been placed on the list because concerned people fear that certain books have and leave an effect on the reader. He only made an appearance so the law wouldn't get to him. They are the guidelines, and or patterns, that are to be followed, in order to be considered a normal, typical, everyday citizen. Miss Gates was also hypocritical because of her statements about Hitler and the black people in Maycomb. Bob committed unrightful actions to his daughter. How each family copes with their struggles during hard times, has always been a source of great topics for many writers. Bob Ewell was involved in Tom Robinsons trial for alleged sexual assault against a white woman by falsely accusing him in order to cover up advances that Tom made towards his daughter, Melissa Ewell. The Cunninghams provide an alternative viewpoint of povertys effects, showing how it affects individuals and communities alike. They both occupy low tiers of the social hierarchy, and do not live in Maycomb itself. The first way they vary is in their appearance. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: Ch. 3 - Study.com One similarity is they both live they both are under poor. He makes an appearance at school to avoid trouble with the law. Walter's preparedness to come to school even though he had no lunch "today, nor would he have any tomorrow or the next day". Pages: During the great depression of the1930s there were many families who couldn't make ends meet. Another reason that the Ewells are frowned upon in this town is that they are law breakers. Their land was the primary means of supporting the family and, since money was scarce, many times they would use some of their crops to barter for other necessities or services. Combined, a compelling novel is made with powerful meaning entwined into the chapters. Therefore, the purpose of this essay is to enlighten the reader upon the partialness of To Kill a Mockingbird, the movie., TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD This shows that people dont think that they are actually poor until they are Cunningham poor. As such, it does not matter if the norms are right or wrong. Ignominy and dignity are another set of contrasting values in the novel. The whole community gives due respect to the Cunninghams and they make sure they deserve it. Harper Lees novel To Kill a Mockingbird depicts how differences between Ewells and Cunninghams play an essential part in its exploration of social inequality, prejudice, and human nature. The primary differences between the Ewells and Cunninghams lie in the way they handle their poverty and their interactions with the community. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus tells his family Mr. One time, Tom Robinson, went by the Ewell's cabin and helped Mayella Ewell with a house chore, only to find an enraged Robert Ewell charging towards the cabin. Another example of the theme poverty in the novel is the Ewell family. Little Chuck even calls Burris a hard down mean one (27). Little Chuck even calls Burris a hard down mean one (27). Harper Lees novel To Kill a Mockingbird introduces us to The Ewells an impoverished white family living in Maycomb County Alabama with low social standing and questionable behavior that quickly becomes the target of public scrutiny. When Boo Radley saves Jem and Scout from Mr. Ewell it begins a new relationship between Atticus and another outcast, Boo Radley. Second class: The Cunninghams The Ewells do nothing to better their circumstances and blame everyone else for their problems. Burris continues to insult her until she is crying as he storms out of her classroom leaving everyone in astonishment. Only a polite person would respond this way. The Ewell's lack a sense of care, education, and jobs. Harper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird is told in first person by Jean Louise Finch or by her nickname, Scout a 6-year-old. The characters who represented this class were the Cunninghams, Dolphus Raymond, and the Radley. Unemployment and reliance on government welfare are notable aspects of the Ewells circumstances in Harper Lees novel To Kill a Mockingbird.. Their poverty and disapproval from society contributes to alienating them from Maycombs population. Harper Lees novel To Kill a Mockingbird follows two contrasting families that play key roles in its narrative Ewells and Cunninghams are two distinctly portrayed branches of Maycomb County, Alabamas white population who embody distinct characteristics while facing unique challenges.