Kevin Doody
Mrs. Severson
History/Composition
14 September 2007
Because of the attitudes of prejudice that were
prevalent in the 1930s in America, certain groups of people
were discriminated against because of their social standing.
The African Americans in the south who struggled to be free;
and the people from Oklahoma who were trying to start a
new life were the main targets of oppression. These people
would fight, struggle, and die for the equality that they so
painfully desired. The books The Grapes of Wrath and To
Kill A Mockingbird, are both excellent examples of literature
that portray a people who were downtrodden because of
their social standing. They lacked money and were
perceived to be ignorant. These unfair judgments were
based on outward appearance, their origins, and a history of
generational prejudice.
Perhaps the most common type of prejudice is based
on outward appearance. As the Joad family pulled in to the
old gas station, the attendant eyed them with suspicion. As
Tom asked him to fill up their tank, the man replied “Lemme
see the money,” (Steinbeck 13) This man’s suspicion is
brought to life by the Joad's appearance. They
possess an old run down car and appeared disheveled from
their long journey. After Tom explains that they are honest
and will gladly pay the full price, the attendant begins to trust
the Joads and becomes friendlier. (Steinbeck 13) Another
example is Mr. Raymond in To Kill A Mockingbird. He was
married to a Negro woman, and had children who were half
white and half black. For this reason, Mr. Raymond was
looked down upon by the residents of the small town. Also,
Mr. Raymond was often seen drinking out of a bottle that
was encased by a brown bag. Assuming that he was
drinking alcohol, people avoided him because they
considered him to be a drunkard. They thought that because
he had a...