Dolphus Raymond is a sad character who, like the blacks in the community of Maycomb, is oppressed by the values and beliefs of white society. Raymond comes from a well-known wealthy family; however, he has a black mistress and several mixed children with his mistress. He prefers to live and socialize with blacks in the community. This would have been taboo in the South. The mixing of races was something not accepted by white people. In order to survive in the white world, Raymond pretends he is an alcoholic to explain his “scandalous” behavior. He is seen carrying a brown bag with a bottle in it. We later learn that it contains Coca-Cola, and he is really not an alcoholic. It’s sad to think that it was more permissible to be an alcoholic than to fraternize with blacks at this time.
In some ways, Raymond’s deception is cowardly. He is so oppressed by what other people in the community think that he can’t live the life he really wants to live. He does not speak up for justice and equality like Atticus does. Perhaps Raymond is so disgusted with the white society that he rebels in any way he can to survive, or maybe he just doesn't have the strength to stand up and fight the unfair system.
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