To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird

  • Submitted By: mblanton96
  • Date Submitted: 12/07/2014 10:38 AM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 1064
  • Page: 5


Hidden Identities; Characters Facades
Identity- the condition of being oneself or itself and not another (Dictionary.com). Imagine a world where everyone showed their true identity. Is this world better or worse? Everyone has a hidden identity which can be as big as a superhero masking his powers or an undercover agent on a secret mission. This hidden identity can also be as small as acting different with one’s parent, teacher, or boss. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, many characters not only have hidden identities but they reveal these identities to the reader throughout the novel. Mayella Ewell, a poor abused teenager, reveals her inner feelings of love; Calpurnia, a wise housekeeper, shows a false identity to the reader other than what she portrays to the Finch family; and Dolphus Raymond, a supposed bad influence, acts drunk so society will allow him to live with black people. Thus, Harper Lee exemplifies through these characters that when people feel pressured to do, say, or be a certain way true identities are concealed, but when the person feels comfortable their true, hidden identity is shown.
Mayella is one example in To Kill a Mockingbird who shows two identities. When Tom, an innocent black man, and Mayella are alone in her house he explains, “She reached up and kissed me on th’ face. She says she never kissed a grown man before an’ she might as well kiss a nigger. She says what her pappa do to her don’t count. She says Kiss me back nigger” (Lee 260). She is alone with Tom so she feels comfortable to show her true self, her hidden identity. She is in love with Tom, a black man. While alone with Tom she is not pressured to be anything but her true self, but when her father pressures her the reader sees a whole new person, her facade. When Atticus Finch asks her, "Why don’t you tell the truth now child didn’t Bob Ewell beat you up?’ Mayella responds, ‘I got somethin' to say an' then I ain't gonna say no more. That nigger...

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