Saturday, October 5, 2019
Chapters 22/23: What are Aunt Alexandra’s and Atticus’ definitions of “trash.” How do they differ? (Antrias)
Atticus and Aunt Alexandra have two extremely different definitions of trash. Atticus thinks that for someone to be considered trash they must take advantage of an African American. Aunt Alexandra thinks that someone is trash when they are lesser than the Finches. When Atticus is talking to Jem and educating him about racism and biases he says "You'll see white men cheat black men every day... and don't you forget... when a white man does that to a black man... that white man is trash"(Lee 252). This quote proves that Atticus thinks that when a white man abuses his power over a black man "that white man is trash". Atticus's definition of trash differs from Aunt Alexandra's because while she is explaining to Scout why Scout can't hang out with Walter she says "They're not our kind of folks... I'll tell you why... because-he-is-trash, that's why you can't play with him" (Lee 256). In this quote Aunt Alexandra claims that the Cunninghams are different than the Finches making them trash. Aunt Alexandra thinks that just because the Cunninghams have less money or are less proper than the Finches, Scout cannot play with Walter Cunningham.
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Not only does Aunt Alexandra believe that the CUnninghams are trash, but she believes that all people who are below the Finches, either economically or socially, are trash, or unworthy of the Finch families attention. Atticus on the other hand, believes that if people treat others who are below them disrespectfully, then they are trash. One quote to support ths is when Atticus is speaking to Jem and Scout after the verdict of the court case and he says, '"There's nothing more sickening to me than a low-grade white man who'll take advantage of a negros ignorance."' Atticus says this because he constantly sees people whether it is in the courtroom or out in public, who disrespectfully treat people who are less privileged than them, or less educated than them. Aunt Alexandra is one of those people who will mistreat the people lower than her and Jem and Scout must choose who they believe, Atticus or Aunt Alexandra.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Aunt Alexandra believes that someone is born into being trash, while Atticus thinks that you make yourself trash. Atticus' definition is much more logical than Aunt Alexandra's, but that's not very surprising, because we've seen how she can act in the past. Aunt Alexandra wouldn't even have her family over her house if they were considered "trash" as shown when she says: "The fact is that he is not kin to us, but if he were, my answer would be the same." Aunt Alexandra's definition ion trash is obviously pretty skewed compared to Atticus' and they differ more than most peoples opinions.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the two definitions of "trash". I feel as well that Aunt Alexandra believes people are trash if they are below the Finch's. What she is saying is that they are trash because they are poor pretty much. She believes that people are born into trash because their family may be poor. If they are born in to a poor family they are automatically trash according to Aunt Alexandra. Aunt Alexandra was speaking to Jem trying to tell him not to hang out with Walter and she said, "I didn't say not to be nice to him, you should be gracious to everybody, dear. But you don't have to invite him home,"(Lee 256). Aunt Alexandra is slowly telling Jem that she just doesn't want him hanging out with what she considers trash. Atticus on the other hand believes you can become trash by your actions. If you treat someone like trash, in Atticus's mind that can make you trash. Atticus's definition of trash is in a personal way. It is about peoples personalities while Aunt Alexandras is about wealth. This just shows how different of people they both are.
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