In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Walter Cunningham is initially portrayed as a dependable and trustworthy person. He is someone who truly cares about his reputation and sets a good example for others. However, as the story progresses, we see a different side of him.
Walter is a poor farmer who is struggling to make ends meet. He is forced to work hard in order to provide for his family and is unable to afford many of life’s necessities. This is evident in the scene where he comes to the Finch household to pay back a debt in the form of goods from his farm. Walter is so ashamed of his inability to pay the debt in cash that he offers Atticus whatever he can, even if it means giving him a sack of hickory nuts.
Despite his struggles, Walter remains a kind and honest person. This is evident in the scene where he is invited to have lunch with the Finch family. Although he is initially hesitant to accept the invitation, he eventually does and is grateful for the hospitality shown to him. However, when Scout criticizes his table manners, Walter becomes embarrassed and uncomfortable. This shows that even though he is a grown man, he still cares about what others think of him.
Later in the novel, Walter becomes part of a mob that seeks to harm Tom Robinson, the black man who has been accused of raping a white woman. Walter’s involvement in the mob shows the power of peer pressure and the influence of social norms. He is willing to take part in a violent act because he feels that it is the right thing to do according to the norms of his community.
Walter Cunningham is a complex character who represents the struggles and values of the rural poor in the South. He is a character who is honest, hardworking, and kind, but who is also influenced by the social and cultural norms of his community. Through his character, Harper Lee provides a nuanced view of poverty and the social dynamics of the South durng the 1930s.
How Is Walter Cunningham Described?
Walter Cunningham is described as a dependable and trustworthy person who cares about his reputation and sets a good example. He is known to be a responsible and hardworking individual who values honesty and integrity. Additionally, he is portrayed as someone who struggles financially but is still determined to do what is right. These traits are highlighted in the novel when Scout has a conversation with Atticus about Mr. Cunningham’s character. Walter is depicted as a respectable member of the community who is highly regarded for his values and work ethic.
What Did Scout Do To Walter Cunningham?
In the noel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Scout, the protagonist, caught Walter Cunningham on the playground and started to physically attack him in retaliation for her embarrassment. Scout’s behavior towards Walter was violent and aggressive. However, Jem, Scout’s brother, intervened and stopped her from causing any harm to Walter. Surprisingly, Jem invited Walter to have lunch with them, which was unexpected considering Scout’s previous behavior towards him. Despite Scout’s initial reluctance, she was forced to sit and eat with Walter. During the meal, Scout criticized Walter’s table manners, which was not acceptable behavior. As a result, Scout was punished by Calpurnia, their housekeeper, for her inappropriate behavior towards Walter.
What Was The Purpose Of Walter Cunningham?
The purpose of Walter Cunningham’s mob was to enforce their own sense of justice upon Tom Robinson. They aimed to harm Tom Robinson and were willing to go as far as hurting Atticus to achieve their goal. Their actions were fueled by their personal beliefs and values, and they sought to take matters into their own hands rather than relying on the judicial system. Walter Cunningham and his mob sought to carry out vigilante justice, which is outside of the legal system and often dangerous.
Conclusion
Walter Cunningham is a complex character in Harper Lee’s novel “To Kill a Mockingbird.” He is portrayed as a dependable and trustworthy person who cares about his reputation and example, but also as someone who is easily influenced by the opinions of others. Despite his involvement in the mob that sought to harm Tom Robinson and Atticus Finch, it is clear that Walter is not a malicious person, but rther a victim of the deeply ingrained racism and prejudice of Maycomb society. Through Scout’s interactions with him, we see that he is capable of kindness and empathy, making him a nuanced and realistic character in this powerful and thought-provoking novel.
