Attitudes on Prejudice

Attitudes on Prejudice

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...

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