Moniem's English Journal

How is hypocrisy shown in Chapter 24?

Hypocrisy is shown in chapter 24 mainly by the development of newly introduced character, Mrs Merriweather; a teacher and a devout christian. Mrs Merriweather begins to talk about the Mrunas – an African tribe – and J. Grimes Everett, she quotes     ” The poverty… the darkness… the immorality – nobody but J . Grimes Everett. ” The quote states what she thinks the Mrunas live a sinful life, it also shows sympathy for the Mrunas as they don’t live how they live. I believe that it is because they don’t live in Maycomb County, in which is described to us as a ‘Christian Town’ by Mrs Merriweather, therefore they do not have Christianity and God in their lives resulting their lives to be seen as sinful. Tying into the fact that J. Grimes Everett is subjecting them to Christianity.

The hypocrisy is then shown by the comparison of the Mrunas and Maycomb’s black society.

Mrs Grace Merriweather calls the black people ‘darky’ and uses different references for black people who she wouldn’t use towards white people, which oppresses them, terms such as ‘wool of hers’ instead of head of hers.Secondly she needed Scout to remind her of name Tom Robinson,illustrating that she doesn’t care for him especially since there was a significant trial revolving around him.

Overall, Mrs Merriweather shows us that she care for the African tribe through:Oh child, those poor Mrunas,” yet doesn’t show an ounce of care for the well-being of those around her, this is proved by the terminology she uses to describe them.