Monday, January 28, 2013

What are some examples of how humans are the products of their environments?

The most obvious example of how humans are products of their environments concerns the behavior of the Ewell children. Both Mayella and Burris are products of the most despicable individual in Maycomb and grow up in a dirty, crowded shack near the town's dump. Bob Ewell is their alcoholic, abusive father who is portrayed as an ignorant, malevolent man. Influenced by their father, Mayella and Burris are depicted as selfish, disrespectful people, who are unsympathetic toward others. Encouraged by her father, Mayella blatantly lies about Tom Robinson assaulting and raping her—despite the damage her accusation will do to him and his family. Burris Ewell is depicted as a disrespectful, rude child who curses at his teacher and refuses to attend school. Both Mayella and Burris are products of their dirty, unstructured, racist environment.
In contrast, Jem and Scout are raised in an organized, clean home with a supportive, respectful father who is a positive role model in their lives. Similar to their father and Calpurnia, Jem and Scout develop into morally-upright, educated individuals, who sympathize with others and act like respectful citizens. Since Atticus values equality and is not prejudiced, Jem and Scout are some of the few children in Maycomb who do not develop into racist citizens.

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