Both Uses of
oppress
in
To Kill a Mockingbird
- An oppressive odor met us when we crossed the threshold, an odor I had met many times in rain-rotted gray houses where there are coal-oil lamps, water dippers, and unbleached domestic sheets.
p. 141..3 (definition 1) *oppressive = uncomfortable
- Mrs. Merriweather's large brown eyes always filled with tears when she considered the oppressed.
p. 308..9 (definition 2) *oppressed = people treated harshly and unfairly
Definitions:
-
(1) (oppress as in: oppressive heat) to make uncomfortable (weigh heavily on the senses or spirit)
-
(2) (oppress as in: oppressive government) to dominate harshly and unfairly; or to make sufferThe meaning of oppress depends upon its context. For example:
- "The authorities oppress political activists," or "The new nation oppressed Native Americans." -- to dominate harshly and unfairly
- "She is oppressed by excessive debt." - made to suffer