Facade Essay, Research Paper

Facade

“I know what you mean.” These words from Dolphus Raymond not only gave

Scout a surprise, but also started her first conversation with him. Through Mr. Raymond,

Scout was able to see why people sometimes may act differently in front of some people

than they may usually behave.

Before the trial, Jem explains to Scout that ever since his fiancee committed

suicide, Mr. Raymond had been drunk. However, when Scout actually meets Dolphus

Raymond, she finds him to be quite sober. Scout asked why he would want the

townspeople to think badly of him. Not at all offended like she expected, he answered,”It

ain’t honest but it’s mighty helpful to folks…you see they could never, never understand

that I live like I do because that’s the way I want to live.” Mr. Raymond explains that

pretending that he is drunk gives people a reason not to like him or his actions. Scout

begins to see that in his own mind, Mr. Raymond is doing the town a favor by behaving

unacceptably. From that point on, Scout would know the truth behind Dolphus

Raymond’s actions, despite the townspeople’s interpretations and stories.

In her brief conversation with Dolphus Raymond, Scout is able to begin seeing

past the facades people wear everyday. This lesson is one that everyone needs to learn in

life, the sooner, the better. I’m sure that Scout will realize this sometime later in life.

Rodney Campbell