To Kill a Mockingbird

by

Harper Lee

A white man who, for much of the novel, Scout and most people in Maycomb believe is always drunk. He was supposed to marry years ago, but rumor has it that his fiancée committed suicide when she learned that Mr. Raymond had a black mistress. In the present, Mr. Raymond lives with his black girlfriend and has a number of children with her. He speaks to Scout and Dill when they step outside of Tom Robinson’s trial because Dill was upset by how the solicitor treated Robinson. At this time, he admits that he’s not a drinker—he drinks Coca-Cola out of a bag but pretends it’s whiskey to give people a reason that makes sense to them as to why he’d want to live the way he does. He’s firm in his belief that all people deserve respect and dignity, no matter the color of their skin.
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Mr. Dolphus Raymond Character Timeline in To Kill a Mockingbird

The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Dolphus Raymond appears in To Kill a Mockingbird. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 16
Good, Evil, and Human Dignity Theme Icon
Prejudice Theme Icon
Small Town Southern Life Theme Icon
...lunch, the children go downtown. The square is crowded with people eating lunch. They watch Mr. Dolphus Raymond sitting with the black people and watch him drink out of a paper bag—he has... (full context)
Prejudice Theme Icon
...mixed child is. Jem says they’re half black, half white, and don’t fit in anywhere. Mr. Raymond sent two up north. A happy black child skips by. Jem says that he’s one... (full context)
Chapter 19
Good, Evil, and Human Dignity Theme Icon
Prejudice Theme Icon
Courage Theme Icon
...while black people want nothing to do with her because she’s white. She’s not like Mr. Raymond , who can spend time with black people because he’s wealthy. Scout thinks that Tom... (full context)
Good, Evil, and Human Dignity Theme Icon
Prejudice Theme Icon
...says it’s not right to talk to anyone that way. Scout and Dill argue, but Mr. Raymond interrupts them in support of Dill. (full context)
Chapter 20
Good, Evil, and Human Dignity Theme Icon
Prejudice Theme Icon
Growing Up Theme Icon
Small Town Southern Life Theme Icon
Mr. Raymond invites Dill to have a drink to settle his stomach. Scout knows he’s evil and... (full context)
Prejudice Theme Icon
Small Town Southern Life Theme Icon
...that according to Atticus, cheating a black man is worse than cheating a white man. Mr. Raymond says that Scout will learn soon enough that Atticus isn’t a normal man. He notes... (full context)