Mr. Dolphus Raymond was put into the story by Harper Lee to
show that Maycomb, collectively, is racist and has bad judgment of the people
who live there. Maycomb is a community where people who are not successful are seen
nearly as low as black people. Mr. Raymond is a drunk whose life was fine until
his wife shot herself. From there he has, “liked [colored people] better’n he
likes us.” (214) To add to the fascination of the kids, “he’s drinkin’ out of a
sack.” (214) Mr. Raymond’s alcohol is the symbol of his pain and grief. He
hides his alcohol in, “a sack” and therefore also hides his pain from everyone,
including himself. In contrast to Mr. Raymond, Mr. Ewell is also a drunk but
openly drinks in front of the public. Maycomb has rejected both men because they
do not fit the Maycomb Way. Mr. Raymond is more respected than Mr. Ewell. Although both men are seen as drunks, Mr.
Raymond is also seen as a gentleman who will not upset the ladies because of
his alcohol. In reality, neither men should get respect because of their decisions.
Thoughts? Was Mr. Raymond needed in the book? Because
Atticus is not a total fit to the Maycomb Way, will he end up like Mr. Raymond
and Mr. Ewell?
Dolphus Raymond was very needed character in this book because he allows Harper Lee to show how the failures of Maycomb relate to the blacks of Maycomb. Mr. Raymond is a disgrace of Maycomb, so he spends his time around blacks to make himself look better and because in the society of Maycomb, that's where he belongs. If Mr. Raymond hung around white folk all the time, he would stand out as a failure. By spending his time with blacks, he is viewed as less of a failure. In Maycomb's society, there are three groups: whites, blacks, and outcasts. The whites are considered the top of the chain with outcasts scarcely ahead of blacks. By hanging around blacks, Mr. Raymond is being put in his place in society.
ReplyDeleteDo you think Mr. Raymond is spending his time with blacks for his own benifit? Or because he truly enjoys them more than whites? How are Mr. Raymond and Bob Ewell similar?
I feel that Mr. Raymond was in this book to show that not all good things will happen. As an example his wife killed herself right in the rehearsal of the wedding that could be possibly one of the worst thing to happen to someone. He represents the darkness of which the may comb way effects people. No I feel Atticus will never in his life stoop to the level of Mr. Ewell and Mr. Raymond, they have lost all hope and never feel they can come back, so they feed of the town like leaches sucking blood. Atticus will always have a "light" in him to show the town the truth and get rid of prejudice and ignorance in the town.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think the out come of the case will be? why? Do you think any of the main characters will conform with the other people in the town. why?
I think that Dolphus Raymond is lost in Maycomb. He has no one and no place to turn to. After his wife tragically shot herself, times have been hard on Mr. Raymond. I feel as if he has nothing better to do then drink his pain away, which is why "he's drinkin' out of a sack" (214). Mr. Raymond is indeed a gentleman and would do no such thing as to hurt anyone, unlike Mr. Ewell, who is a drunk to another level. Dolphus does not really fit into the "Maycomb Way" but I think that is why Harper Lee put him in the book, to make it more interesting.
ReplyDelete"Do you think Dolphus Raymond will ever come out of his drinking phase? Will he get over his pain of his dead wife? What are your thoughts on this?
I think that Mr. Raymond was definitely needed in the book. Harper Lee is the type of writer who adds details into her writing that embellish, but not obvious ones. Her symbols are almost supposed to work their way into your subconscious mind. Raymond was a way for Lee to both express how Maycomb sees black people, and how its residents react when they feel worthless. Most people would just be unhappy, or depressed, but in Maycomb if things don’t work out you join the lowest of the low class.
ReplyDeleteTo another of your points, I actually think that Maycomb respects Mr. Ewell more than Mr. Raymond, because even though Mr. Raymond is respectable and hides his alcohol like a gentleman, he isn’t racist in the least. Mr. Ewell is dirt poor and trashy, but he is extremely openly racist, and Maycomb accepts that more. It just goes to show how messed up that town really is.