Dolphus Raymond is regarded as peculiar throughout the community because of his taboo lifestyle. Although Dolphus is a wealthy white man, he has a black mistress and several mulatto children. The prejudiced community members of Maycomb County view him with contempt because he chooses to associate with African Americans. Dolphus also pretends to be drunk and walks around town sipping Coca-Cola from a brown paper bag. Dolphus explains to Scout and Dill that he feigns alcoholism in order to give people an excuse for why he chooses to live such a taboo lifestyle. He is jaded about the deliberate racism throughout Maycomb and simply tries his best to avoid confrontation by pretending to be an alcoholic. Since he openly associates with African Americans and is an assumed alcoholic, the community members of Maycomb regard Dolphus as peculiar. 

Why do people in Maycomb find Dolphus Raymond's lifestyle peculiar?

People in Maycomb find Dolphus Raymond's lifestyle peculiar because he is a white man who openly associates with African Americans. In 1930's Alabama, the overwhelming majority of the population is prejudice towards black people. The South abides by Jim Crow laws that segregate the white and black communities. Dolphus Raymond is a wealthy white man who lives with his black mistress. He has several interracial children, and the Maycomb community views him with contempt for his lifestyle. Dolphus confides in Scout and Dill that he pretends to be drunk to give white people a reason to understand his lifestyle. He staggers when he walks and carries a Coke bottle covered in a paper bag that makes it look like he's been drinking liquor all day. White community members blame Dolphus' life choices and affinity for black people on his "alcoholism." Dolphus prefers to live with the black community instead of the hypocritical, ignorant white community. People are indignant toward Dolphus Raymond and discriminate against his "mixed" children. Dolphus has even sent two of his children to the North because of the prevalent racism in Maycomb, Alabama.