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What quotes in To Kill A Mockingbird show pride in conformity and distrust of those who are different?

There are several scenes throughout the novel that depict the citizens of Maycomb taking pride in conformity and distrusting those who are different. One of the most notable examples of people taking pride in conformity takes place in Chapter 24 during Aunt Alexandra's missionary circle. Miss Merriweather discusses her prejudiced views and boastfully says,



"At least we don’t have that sin on our shoulders down here. People up there set ’em free, but you don’t see ’em settin’ at the table with ’em. At least we don’t have the deceit to say to ’em yes you’re as good as we are but stay away from us. Down here we just say you live your way and we’ll live ours. I think that woman, that Mrs. Roosevelt’s lost her mind—just plain lost her mind coming down to Birmingham and tryin’ to sit with ’em. If I was the Mayor of Birmingham I’d—" (Lee 142).



She is proud to live in the South where citizens are unapologetic about segregating their society based on race.


Miss Merriweather also deeply distrusts individuals who support African Americans. She comments,



"I tell you there are some good but misguided people in this town. Good, but misguided. Folks in this town who think they’re doing right, I mean. Now far be it from me to say who, but some of ’em in this town thought they were doing the right thing a while back, but all they did was stir ’em up. That’s all they did" (Lee 142).



She feels that people like Atticus, who challenge Maycomb's prejudiced community are "misguided" and disagrees with their ideology.


Another scene throughout the novel that portrays how the citizens of Maycomb distrust those who are different takes place in Chapter 20. Dolphus Raymond explains to Scout and Dill why he pretends to be an alcoholic. When commenting on the community members of Maycomb, he says,



"When I come to town, which is seldom, if I weave a little and drink out of this sack, folks can say Dolphus Raymond’s in the clutches of whiskey—that’s why he won’t change his ways. He can’t help himself, that’s why he lives the way he does" (Lee 123).



The citizens of Maycomb view him with contempt because he chooses to openly associate with African Americans which was considered taboo in 1930s Alabama. Dolphus pretends to be drunk in order to avoid inevitable confrontation. The citizens distrust Dolphus and he is considered an outcast for his way of life.

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