In the beginning of chapter 16, it is revealed that Mr.Underwood highly dislikes Negroes. In the town of Maycomb, it is not completely unusual for the white people of the town to not like people of color, but Mr.Underwood dislikes them more that most of the citizens. While at breakfast with Aunt Alexandra, Jem, and Atticus, Scout hears her father say “‘You know what’s a funny thing about Braxton,’ says Atticus. ‘He despises Negroes, he won’t have one near him.”’ (Lee 178). This statement relates to other key topics of the book, one of the more important ones being racism. Most of the white population in Maycomb will disrespect, abuse, and mistreat the colored people in the town. For example, while the white people have an extravagant church with many pews and song books to read from, the colored people have an old, rundown church with no books, tattered walls and pews, and they can barely raise ten dollars to help out Tom Robinson. Another example of the white people taking advantage of the colored people is when Scout, Jem and Dill go watch Atticus in court and don’t have a seat so when they come over to find a seat, the colored people immediately stand up without saying a word about it. Although the people of Maycomb don't entirely enjoy the presence of colored people, Mr.Underwood despises them.
I agree. In Chapter 15 after the mob leaves it is revealed that Mr. Underwood was there with his shotgun just in case "Damn tooting they won't. Had you covered all the time, Atticus" (Lee 175). I believe that Mr. Underwood doesn't like negroes however he does believe that they deserve as fair a trail as a white person.
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