Torriyah Kimble

Mr. Ian Ackerman

Pre-AP English I, per.7
6 September, 2016
Cunningham/Ewell Foil Essay
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the Cunningham family and the Ewell
family as foils to show that morals, respect and dignity-not socio-economic statusdetermine a persons worth.
One of the biggest differences between the two families is that the
Cunninghams take pride in their appearance and personal hygiene, whereas the
Ewells are dirty and ridden with parasites. On Scouts first day of school, she notes
that even though Walter Cunningham cannot afford shoes, He did have on a clean
shirt and neatly mended overalls.(25, 2010) From this observation, the reader is
able to infer that although the Cunningham family is poor and doesnt have many
resources, they do the best they can with what they have to maintain their hygiene
and present a respectable appearance. Later that day, however , Scout encounters
Burris Ewell,..the filthiest human being [she had] ever seen. His neck was dark
gray, the backs of his hands were rusty, and his fingernails were black deep into the
quick.(35, 2010) The filthiness of the young Ewell is further highlighted when he is
described having a fist-sized clean space on his face, The description of his
appearance goes to show that the Ewell family does not consider their looks and
cleanliness to be a priority, and could not care less about what the people around
them think of them.

There is also a great difference in their feelings on education. Walter

Cunningham wishes to go to school but hasnt been able to unlike Borris Ewell who
has no positive feelings on it and only goes because it is required on the first day.
The reason I cant pass the first grade..Ive had to .help Papa with the
choppin(32, 2010) Walter Cunningham hasnt been able to pass only because he
had to stay home and help support his family. I was on the verge of leavin (35,
2010 ) Been comin to the first day o the first grade fer three years now.(36,
2010) This shows how Ewell does not care for his education as much as
Cunningham does. There is an obvious difference between the two knowing how
differently these two feel about the subject.
Another noticeable contrast between the two families is responsibility. The
Cunninghams are responsible and dont take things that they arent able to pay
back. If they cant pay anything back they just make do with the resources they
already have. Jem and [ Scout ] found a load of stovewood in the backyard.
Later , a sack of hickory nuts appeared on the back steps. With Christmas came a
crate of smilax and holly., Atticus said that Mr. Cunningham had more than paid
him. (27, 2010). This shows the reader that that despite being very poor, the
Cunninghams still find a way to pay back what they owe even if it isnt in money.
When Scout has a conversation with Atticus after school one day, she tells him
details of the scene Borris Ewell caused at school. Atticus then commented from his
knowledge of the Ewell family, . Its certainly bad, but when a man spends his
relief checks on green whiskey his children have a way of crying from hunger
pains.(41, 2010). This comment from Atticus shows readers that that the Ewells do
not have their priorities straight and that they take anything they can get. Plus the

way that the Mr. Ewell spends the little money that they do get, shows that he is not
a responsible parent at all.
The final distinction between the Cunninghams and the Ewells are the way
they treat others. The Cunninghams are very kind hearted and courteous to others
whereas the Ewells are extremely rude and foul mouthed. Atticus greeted Walter
and began a discussion about crops that neither Jem nor [Scout] could follow.(31,
2010. This shows that Walter makes sure to be respectful to adults he speaks to and
that he has good sense. Borris Ewell on the other hand is the complete opposite.
Report and be damned to ye! Aint no snot-nosed slut of a schoolteacher ever born
cn make me do nothin !(37, 2010). This gives the readers a general idea of
Borris regular actions and attitude. He has no problem at all saying what he wants
no matter who its unlike Walter as you can see, is polite and respectful no matter
the situation at hand.
In conclusion, the Cunninghams and Ewells may both be poor but that does
not make them the same in any way. As discovered by the readers, the
Cunninghams are nice, tidy, care about education and refuse to receive anything
they cant pay back. The Ewells , being the polar opposites, are very rude, filthy,
have no cares for education and take anything they can get without remorse. This
just goes to prove that the amount of money you have does not fully shape who
someone is as a person. In the end, people may share similarities, but with that
comes even more differences so someone should never be judged on socioeconomic status. It should be a persons actions that forms someones opinion of
another.