In chapters 20 and 21, Scout and Dill learn that a lot of what they know about Dolphus Raymond’s is different from his actual personality. When Dill starts crying during the case and Scout goes outside with him so he can calm down, Dolphus Raymond offers Dill some of his mystery drink to help him settle down. Scout does not trust him, and she thinks to herself, “As Mr. Dolphus Raymond was an evil man I accepted his invitation reluctantly, but I followed Dill”(Lee 267). When Dill drinks some of Mr. Raymond’s drink, he tells Scout that it is only Coca-Cola, and Scout questions why Mr. Raymond always acts drunk if he doesn’t drink alcohol as much everyone in Maycomb thinks. Mr. Raymond explains to Scout and Dill that many people do not like the way he lives, and if he pretends that he is drunk so that people think that that is why he won’t change his ways. When Scout questions his actions, Mr. Raymond says, “It ain’t honest but it’s mighty helpful to folks...I live the way I live because that’s the way I want to live”(Lee 268). Though this quote shows that even though Mr. Raymond is not being honest to others, he does not care what others think of him, and he will keep living however he wants. When Scout asks him why he was telling her and Dill his biggest secret, he replies that they are children and that they can understand it. Scout finds him fascinating, even though she feels that she shouldn’t be talking to him. Mr. Raymond is seen as an outsider in Maycomb due to how he lives and presents himself and also because of his biracial children, but Scout and Dill find out that the way he presents himself is far from his personality.
I support what you said, Mr. Dolphus Raymond drinks because he wants there to be an explanation for his behavior. Mr. Dolphus Ramond has biracial children and is open about his black mistress. For example, the citizens of Maycomb don't approve of his actions, but he doesn't mind what others think of him "I live the way I live because that's the way I want to live"(Lee 268). This quote shows that no matter what others think of him, he won't let their opinion's bother him. Also, in the passage Scout asks Mr. Dolphus Raymond why he is telling this to Dill and her, he explains that because they're children they will understand. This is valid because at Scout and Dill's age they aren't closed minded due to the fact that they haven't been living with racism and inequality for decades, unlike most other older citizens of Maycomb.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what both of you said, I think that Mr. Raymond "drinks" because in that time period most people in Maycomb can't understand that a white would have an affair with a black. I definitely agree with the fact that he is viewed as an "outsider" in society, especially because he had multiple mixed children. Because of this, Mr. Raymond believes that he can't be "honest" (Lee 268) with the people of Maycomb and has to give them a reason to understand his behavior. "I don't care if they don't like it. I do say I don't care if they don't like it, rightt enough- but I don't say the hell with 'em, see? (Lee 268)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I think that it is really interesting that Mr. Raymond doesn't want Scout and Dill to tell people that he is not drinking whiskey because it would "ruin my reputation if you did"(Lee 267). Mr. Raymond would rather have people think that he "lived the way" he does instead of living "like I do because that's the way I want to live"(Lee 264). The theme of children helping because they are not corrupt appears in this interaction when Mr. Raymond says that he trusts Scout and Dill because they can understand it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Mr. Raymond fakes to drink alcohol so people would think that would be a reason for his actions. They think that having mixed children is okay because he is a “drunk”. He actually just drinks Coca Cola and does not care about what other people think about him. As Mr. Raymond talks to Scout and Dill, he says, “I do say I don’t care if they don’t like it, right enough…”(Lee 268). Mr. Raymond does not care about what other people think of him. He only fakes drinking alcohol so he does not get punished for his actions.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with what you wrote. Mr. Dolphus Raymond is seen as this drunk man who always drinks out of a bag of whiskey but really, that's not the case. He is truthfully drinking coca-cola, which is not nearly as bad as whiskey. I believe Mr. Raymond is a "go with the flow" kind of man and he clearly doesn't care what other people think of him. "It ain’t honest but it’s mighty helpful to folks" (Lee 268) is what he says about why he lets people think false things about him. He taking false accusations for other people's benefits. This actually shows that he is a noble man.
ReplyDeleteMia, I agree with you on everything. Dolphus Raymond is simply a man who does what he wants to do, knowing that is against all of 1930s southern society's beliefs. Mr. Raymond tries to help Dill understand why he makes the town believe he drinks whiskey, "folks can say Dolphus Raymond's in the clutches of whiskey -- that's why he won't change his ways ... that's why he lives the way he does" (268). Raymond is a mature man who sees what is right, and lives the way he wants to live, but he doesn't want the full disapproval from society, so he gives them a reason for what he does.
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