However, the story gives us clues to understand his behavior:
* He pretends to be a drunkard to protect his reputation. He's a black man in the Jim Crow South, where even the slightest deviation from the expected social norms could lead to serious trouble. By acting drunk, he appears less threatening and allows white people to dismiss his actions as the result of intoxication, rather than a deliberate challenge to their authority.
* He uses the pretense to gain a sense of control. By pretending to be drunk, he can control how people interact with him and avoid the scrutiny and judgment that comes with being a respectable black man in a racist society.
* He cares deeply for his son, Dill. He actively tries to shield Dill from the harsh realities of the world, including his own racial struggles, and even pretends to be angry at him to keep him away from danger.
While Mr. Raymond never explicitly explains his pretense, the context of his life in the Jim Crow South and his interactions with others reveal the reasons behind his actions.