Mayella Ewell Society

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Imagine someone being treated terribly by their peers and society simply because they were born into a less wealthy family. Conversely, what if one was treated superior to others simply because they were born into an opulent household? This, unfortunately, is the reality for those living in Maycomb, Alabama. Set in the racially segregated American South, the social pyramid of the story plays a huge role in the thought-provoking novel. In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, the characters' treatment, views, and opportunities in Maycomb are profoundly influenced by their socioeconomic status. Mayella Ewell is a perfect example of people being judged by their socioeconomic status. Harper Lee makes it extremely obvious throughout the book that …show more content…
Mayella however was simply born into the Ewell family and does not deserve the mistreatment she had received throughout her life because of her family's lack of money. While Mayella is being questioned by Atticus during the trial, she believes she is being made fun of due to Atticus’s pleasantries towards her. After seeing this interaction, Scout ponders the situation, “I wonder if anybody had ever called her ‘ma’am’ or ‘Miss Mayella’ in her life; probably not as she took offense to the courtesy. What on earth was her life like?” (Lee 182). Words like ‘ma’am’ and ‘miss’ are common phrases to show respect, which are especially used in the deep south. Despite living in the deep south herself, Mayella is not used to being called those words, so much so that she took offense to the courtesy. This poor young woman is living in a town that treats her with zero respect. Mayella is so used to this treatment that she truly does not understand when Atticus shows respect towards her. This highlights how much money and social status plays a role in how people treat one another in the town of Maycomb. Not only do the wealthy treat the poor differently, but sometimes they just do not understand one …show more content…
‘Nome, thank you ma’am,’ he drawled softly. Impatience crept into Miss Caroline’s voice: ‘Here Walter, come and get it.’ Walter shook his head” (Lee 19). When Walter did not have money for lunch, Miss Caroline simply thought that he had forgotten and he would pay her back tomorrow. She believed offering him money was the logical and kind thing to do because she has never experienced not having money for lunch. Walter had a lot of pride, as well as a sense of responsibility. He refused to take handouts from those above him. Miss Caroline takes his refusal as rude and ignorant. She does not understand the cultural context of the Cunninghams self-reliance. She is from a different background and simply does not understand where Walter is coming from, nor his situation. This interaction highlights the gap between individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Differences in socioeconomic status also affect the opportunities individuals have in Maycomb. It is obvious that in the book, people of color have the lowest socioeconomic status. A substantial part of this thought-provoking novel revolves around the trial between Bob Ewell and Tom
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