DOLPHUS RAYMOND
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THESIS: In TKAMB, many of the characters adhere to the
rigid social structures of America in the early 1900s.
(CONTEXT)
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Townsfolk hide their true character behind polite guises and
do not dare tarnish their reputation. These people view
children and other races as their inferiors, subject to blunt
opinions and open ridicule.
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However, Dolphus Raymond, distances himself from these
cultural "norms" and possesses a sense of insight about
other people despite his seemingly strange behavior.
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He adheres to his values though he horrifies the general population by living with "the
blacks" and sympathizing with their plight.
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Raymond demonstrates his sympathy for victims of a culturally exclusive society. When he
discusses the matter with a boy who had been crying, he alludes to the fact that he feels
just as upset over the injustices towards black people, but doesn't show it with tears. He
understands younger people openly,”Cry about the hell white people give colored folks,
without even stopping to think they're people too" .On the surface, the quote seems to
simply be an attempt to comfort the boy.
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However, through these words, Mr. Raymond demonstrates his awareness of the
tendency of Macomb residents to hold the blacks in a state of disregard.
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He sympathizes with the African American's by acknowledging how poorly they are
treated, a shocking admittance for the day.
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Through defending the victims of Macomb's rampant racism, Mr. Raymond displays his
sympathetic traits
IRONY:
• Dolphus Raymond is initially introduced as "an evil man" due to
the town's perception of him as a drunkard.
• However, as the conversation unfolds, it becomes evident that his
outward appearance and behavior are a façade, masking his true
character and motivations.
• Lee does this to further emphasis on the prejudice of
Maycomb,Alabama. Raymond's relationship with a black woman
challenges these societal norms and exposes the hypocrisy and prejudice of Maycomb's
residents.
HIS KIDS:
“They(his kids) don’t belong anywhere. Colored folks won’t have ’em because they’re half
white; white folks won’t have ’em ’cause they’re colored”
• The use of the terms "colored folks" and "white folks" carries connotations of racial
hierarchy and segregation. By employing these terms, Harper Lee highlights the rigid
social divisions based on race and the limited opportunities available to mixed-race
individuals within this oppressive system.
• It challenges readers to question the legitimacy of racial hierarchies and to empathize
with those who are marginalized and oppressed.
• Here, the kids of the interracial couple are seen to be discriminated due to their mixed
race. By shedding light on the struggles of these individuals, Lee prompts readers to
confront the long-lasting impact of prejudice and discrimination.As a result, she is
attempting to enforce inclusivity and equality .