How_Does_Harper_Lee_Criticize_Hypocrisy

How does Lee strongly criticize hypocrisy in the novel' Several of the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird are harshly treated for their hypocritical beliefsThe Missionary Circle proves to be a gossipy, hypocritical group, willing to support the Mruna tribe in Africa while trading barbs against Maycomb's African-Americans. . Harper Lee is particularly tough on Scout's two teachers, Miss Caroline and Miss Gates. Firstly, Harper Lee makes use of Mrs Merriweather to strongly criticize hypocrisy in the novel. At the Missionary Circle, Mrs. Merriweather was complaining about the plight of the poor Mrunas in Africa, but just a few moments later, she calls Tom Robinson’s wife “darky’s wife” which is an insensitive racist remark. She also proceeds to criticise the work of her black maid, stating that “There’s nothing more distracting than a sulky darky” and that she was doing Sophy, her Negro maid a favour by employing her. She also says that, “I tell you there are some good but misguided people in this town. Good, but misguided. Foilks in this town who think they’re doing right, I mean.” This is especially ironic as she is insulting Atticus, in his house while eating his food. It is amazing that Mrs. Merriweather does not recognize her seemingly straightforward hypocrisy. Just a short while ago, she was complaining about the poor Mrunas in Africa not receiving enough help, then she does a complete turn-around and complains about Atticus Finch helping out the blacks in Maycomb and insults her black maid. The use of Mrs. Merriweather's hypocrisy greatly helps in Harper Lee's denouncement and criticism of unjustified discrimination. It highlights Mrs Merriweather’s racist and prejudiced nature, which is again ironically contradicting to her Christianity which supports love and care. Furthermore, Mrs Merriweather was supposedly the “most devout lady in Maycomb”. Next, Harper Lee also makes use of Miss Gates to strongly criticize hypocrisy in the novel. "Jem, how can you hate Hitler so bad an' then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home." Scout had actually heard Miss Gates say that it was "time somebody taught 'em (the blacks) a lesson." Miss Gates is so engulfed in the myth of white superiority that she does not even remotely recognize her hypocrisy when she denounces Hitler and says that persecuting anybody is wrong. Apparently in Miss Gate's case, blacks aren't "anybody." By having Scout ask that curious question to Jem, it is then implied that Scout is still young, she has not yet been effected by the myth of white superiority. She still has the ability to reason out the hypocrisy in Miss Gates, while Miss Gates does not see the hypocrisy herself. Harper Lee uses irony and hypocrisy to show how the people of Maycomb are so engulfed in a variety of elements that they unknowingly complete acts of unjustified discrimination. Scout Finch was so caught up in small town provincialism that she regarded a Cunningham as socially inferior. Mrs. Merriweather and Miss Gates were so entirely engulfed in the myth of white superiority that they don't realize their hypocrisy when they state it. The use of irony and hypocrisy was exceptionally used well to criticize the facets of unjustified discrimination. Harper Lee also uses Miss Caroline to criticize the hypocrisy of education in the novel. "Now tell your father not to teach you any more. It's best to begin reading with a fresh mind." Instead of praising Scout's ability to read at an advanced level, Miss Caroline discourages it. This ironic example set by Miss Caroline seems to demonstrate the inadequate training that she had received for her occupation. Miss Caroline seems to have been instructed upon a strict standard on how her students are expected to behave, but when she encounters something different, such as Scout's advanced ability to read, she advises Scout to stop being advanced and adds, "You won't learn to write until you're in the third grade." (pg. 23) Miss Caroline also read to them a story about cats. However, she does not realise that this is out of touch with reality for children as there is no relevance to their lives. May of them are forced to grow up very soon, and must care about food and ways to live and not imaginative literature. Also, Miss Caroline is taught more by the children than she has taught them. On her first day of school, she was taught about Maycomb and its different social classes. For example, she was taught by Scout about the Cunninghams and their way of life. This is of course very hypocritical because things they are learning in the classroom would be irrelevant to their lives.