How did the fact that Dolphus Raymond was not really a drunk effect him as an idvidual? What impact did it have on him?Leads back to theme...

I don't think the fact that he's not a drunk
effects him.  Perhaps it simply says something about his
character.  I think the issue is more about the fact that he doesn't want anyone to know
his secret.

Dolphus Raymond is guilty of "questionable"
behavior according to the citizens of Maycomb - the fact that he is a white man who has
"a colored woman" and several "mixed children."

This
behavior, in the mind of the town, could be largely blamed on the fact that his original
fiance committed suicide on the day of the rehearsal.  By appearing to be a town drunk,
Dolphus encourages the perception that he still hasn't recovered from a circumstance
that made him a victim.  The fact that he is actually drinking Coke means he isn't
actually escaping anything - nor does he consider himeslf a victim any longer (if he
ever did).  His current life is clearly a choice made in a right
mind.

As he puts it himself: "Some folks don't - like the
way I live.  Now I could say the hell with 'em, I don't care if they don't like it.  I
do say I don't care if they don't like it, right enough - but I don't say the hell with
'em, see?" (ch. 20)

He isn't a drunk.  He's a level-headed
man making a choice to live outside of a social norm, but in order to show a respect for
that social norm, he avoids confronting it by hiding behind the pretense that he is a
victim and a drunk.  He's perhaps a character of perfect tolerance.  Tolerance of the
black culture and tolerance of the white culture.  He's managed to find a means to bring
everyone to a happy medium - and he's okay with the fact that it's a
lie.