“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...” and so they were in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama (Dickens 1). In Harper Lee’s classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird, set in the small town of Maycomb, it was indeed the best and worst of times for the character Scout as she recounted the tales of school years and summers that affected her as she grew up through the course of the novel. Just as any child growing up, the adults that surrounded her set the example and played a monumental role in how she saw the world. In Maycomb, there were many different adults who felt the best and worst of times and who also play diverse roles; Atticus Finch, Bob Ewell, and Arthur “Boo” Radley.
Maycomb/Monroeville during these times is going through the Great Depression which is affecting all of America. The small town of about 4,292 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, is a farming county where nickels and dimes are hard to come by even for the upper class (Lee 27). In Maycomb/Monroe County around 86.1 percent of the community is illiterate, unlike Atticus Finch (Census 22).
One of the diverse roles in Maycomb is played by Atticus Finch who is the father of Scout in the novel and is seen by many to be an upstanding figure in the community. Miss Maudie illustrated this by saying, “I simply want to tell you that there are some men in this world who are born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father’s one of them”(Lee 288). When saying this she refers to the court case he is representing that shows even more how his character’s purpose to the town is to serve others. This is further illustrated when Miss Maudie continues to explain her opinion of his difficult case by questioning the children, “Did it ever strike you that J...
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...hat he, like Bob Ewell, suffers the worst of times in Maycomb.
In conclusion, it is clear that in Maycomb, there were many different adults who felt the best and worst of times and who also play diverse roles; Atticus Finch, Bob Ewell, and Arthur “Boo” Radley. Although they make up only a small fraction of the population of Maycomb, these three men each play an important role of southern life in the small town of Maycomb and how Scout views it.
Works Cited
Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States: 1930 Population Volume III, Part I. Washington , 1932. U.S. Census Bureau. Web. 15 March 2010.
Dickens, Charles. A Tale of Two Cities. Whitefish: Kessinger Publishing, 2004. Print.
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: Grand Central Publishing, 1982. Print.
Shahn, Ben. Squatter’s Camp. 1935. Photograph. Web. 15 March 2010.
Through the development of Scout’s relationship with Arthur Radley, Scout develops and becomes more empathetic. Atticus Finch, Scout’s father, is her most consistent role model and used by Lee as the moral compass. Atticus is a firm believer in teaching by example, and his respect of his children is such that he treats them almost as adults, emphasised in the line ‘he played with us, read with us, and treated us with courteous detachment’ pg. 6. This refusal to shelter Scout from the harsh realities of life in Maycomb allows her to learn from experience. The strong moral guidance offered by Atticus allows Scout not only to learn from experience, but also to develop her personal integrity. Atticus exemplifies his strong beliefs, as illustrated when he says ‘Shoot
Childhood is a continuous time of learning, and of seeing mistakes and using them to change your perspectives. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee illustrates how two children learn from people and their actions to respect everyone no matter what they might look like on the outside. To Kill A Mockingbird tells a story about two young kids named Scout and her older brother Jem Finch growing up in their small, racist town of Maycomb, Alabama. As the years go by they learn how their town and a lot of the people in it aren’t as perfect as they may have seemed before. When Jem and Scout’s father Atticus defends a black man in court, the town’s imperfections begin to show. A sour, little man named Bob Ewell even tries to kill Jem and Scout all because of the help Atticus gave to the black man named Tom Robinson. Throughout the novel, Harper Lee illustrates the central theme that it is wrong to judge someone by their appearance on the outside, or belittle someone because they are different.
In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird three characters, Scout, Jem, and Atticus Finch, experience the many hardships and difficulties of human inequality in their community, Maycomb County. Scout, the narrator, gives insight to readers about the many different characters of Maycomb, yet two are alike in many ways. Mayella Ewell is a 19-year-old girl who is considered white trash and lacks education, love, and friends. Dolphus Raymond is a wealthy white man who is married to an African-American and has mixed children. Although these characters may seem different, they share many of the same advantages and disadvantages of human inequality.
Atticus Finch,is the father of Jem and Scout Finch. A man named Tom Robinson was accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Atticus, knew that this was wrong, and made his choice to defend Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson was later found guilty and sentenced to death. Atticus, disappointed at the jury and himself, whispered something to Tom Robinson and then left the courtroom. He spoke nothing of the trial. Scout, angry and filled with melancholy, demanded answers. Atticus then explained his representing Tom Robinson. Atticus replied to Scout, “For a number of reasons. The main one is, if i didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town. I couldn’t represent this country
Reassuring that Tom Robinson’s case is dealt seriously, Atticus exchanges his identity as the noble man he is for the reputation of a villain that the town flames and calls names such as “nigger lover”. Sacrificing Atticus’s identity does not give him much room to speak during the case, in fact, without his title as an intelligent, helpful, and wealthy citizen, the people of Maycomb could potentially harm Atticus, which forces him to take a slightly more cautious approach with the people of Maycomb. Concerned with the matter of how her father finds that his actions are right when the majority of the town finds it is wrong. Atticus then responds strongly to Scout, saying that he could not live with himself or tell her and Jem to do the right thing if he did not take the case seriously himself. Atticus’s identity sacrificed for the intention of saving his kids from “Maycomb's usual disease” which is racism.
In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is an ideal father, who sets a great example for his kids. A picture of Atticus is important to Scout because Atticus teaches Scout many important life lessons about life. Firstly, as Atticus talks to Scout about Miss. Stephanie, he states “if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (Lee,30). Scout realizes that one can never feel someone’s pain, happiness, or glory until she looks at their point of view of things; she learns to consider other people’s situation and feelings. She also understands that she will never know what goes in other people’s lives, and therefore she cannot judge anyone. Scout matures as she learns to apply Atticus’ wise advice to understand Mrs. Dubose and Boo Radley, who are individuals that are misunderstood by the community. Furthermore, as Miss Maudie talks to Scout, she states “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets” (Lee, 46). Miss Maudie knows about Atticus’ personality quite well. Miss Maudie explains to Scout Atticus is a man with moral principles, he does what he believes is right even if others are not there to praise him. Through Atticus’ exemplary role, Scout understands the importance of integrity, and strong moral values. Finally, when Scout questions her father about the possible outcome of the trial, Atticus states “simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us to try to win” (Lee, 76). Atticus teaches Scout toleration, determination and moral courage. He already knows he is going to los...
Miss Maudie has lnown Atticus Finch, now she has helped to raise Jem and Scout. Miss Maudie has always been there for scout, “I spent most of the remaining twilights that summer sitting with Miss Maudie Atkinson in her front porch.”(Lee 55) Miss Maudie took time out of her day to spend time with Scout when Jem abandoned her in his games with Dill. Miss Maudie acts like a mother would checking on the child and finding something for them to do. Miss Maudie also acts like a parent when she is asked a question. “Why, one sprig of nut grass can ruin a whole yard. Look here. When it
He says “I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this country in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not do something again” (Lee 75). He states that he must represent the law no matter what downfall it has for his reputation. Atticus is older than most of the fathers in Maycomb, but follows different moral. He defends anyone regardless of their race or color. This shows how The Finches are well respected and applauded for being well-proper.
If Maycomb had the ability to speak this is what she would utter. Maycomb is in the heart of Alabama and is the setting of To Kill A Mockingbird. She has been around for years and years; She is talked about as boring and old, yet the youth keeps her young. She was told once that she had “nothing to fear but fear itself”-indeed this was correct. The old town is kept vigorous as courage is demonstrated from adults sticking to their values no matter what, Few adults see new moral values. Atticus and Miss maudie are open to these new moral values that are not yet seen by the rest of the town except by the young kids like Jem
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout Finch represents a young southern tomboy who strives to find her identity. The adults in her town of Maycomb...
The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, takes place in the 1930s in a small Alabama county called Maycomb. The novel is about the Finch family of three. Atticus, the father, Scout the older brother and Scout the younger sister, who acts like a tomboy. Scout may be a lady, but does not like to act like one, she likes to play and get dirty with her brother. Being young, both children learn lessons throughout the novel by many different residents, such as, Calpurnia, the maid, Miss Maudie, the neighbor, and their father, Atticus. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird various citizens in the town of Maycomb play an important role in the lives of Jem and Scout Finch
Atticu Finch is one of they key characters in the book who leads by example and shows what courage is. In chapter nine, Atticus takes a case to defend a Negro who has been accused of raping Bob Ewell’s daughter Mayella444. Atticus, the father of main characters Scout and Jem Finch, loves and cares for his children, although since the children’s mother passed away when they were at a young age, Atticus is not always sure of how to fill her role. In chapter thirteen, Aunt Alexandra stays with the Finch family so that she can help them if anything happens while Atticus defends the black man, Tom Robinson. Atticus has always been respected in the town of Macomb, until he takes the Robinson case, which leads to controversy within his friends and his family. On several different instances, the towns people tried to convince him not to, and o...
To Kill a Mockingbird "I simply want to tell you that there are some men in this world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father's one of them." – Miss Maudie The quote above states that Atticus Finch was a man who did unpleasant things, but this quote is false. Miss Maudie had every good intention when she told Jem and Scout this and her point was taken in the way she intended it to be taken by the children. Her point could have been better worded if the portion that reads "our unpleasant jobs" were replaced with "what is right." Atticus did unpleasant things only because he knew that they were the right thing to do. Miss Maudie told the children about their father in this way only to avoid saying that the rest of the town was wrong.
Parents that grow their own discriminatory attitude rub off ideas on their children and soon enough they will catch the infection as well. Because of Atticus’s interracial correlation, his family turns away from him. Francis, Aunt Alexandra’s grandson, reveals his family’s despise for Atticus’s doings. As Scout and him get in a fight, Francis accuses Atticus of being a “N***** Lover.” A child could not have developed those words alone. Scout voiced “Cecil Jacobs made me forget. He had announced in the schoolyard the day before that Scout Finch’s daddy defended N******” (Lee 85). Cecil, being Scout’s age, does not even comprehend what the meaning of the words are. The children of Maycomb follow the trends of their parents. One that is content with their own well being will direct their children from right and wrong, as Atticus is demonstrating throughout the novel in his
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is a courageous tale of leadership and gallantry. This book voices the story of a young girl, Scout, and the town of Maycomb. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird there are numerous quotes to which you should bring to your attention. By far, the most important quote describes what Boo Radley experienced all those years he was locked away in his house, “A boy trotted down the sidewalk dragging a fishing pole beside him. A man stood waiting with his hands on his hips. Summertime, and his children played in the front yard with their friend, enacting a strange drama of their own invention.…. Fall, and his children trotted to and fro around the corner, the day’s woes and triumphs on their faces. They stopped at an oak tree, delighted, puzzled, and apprehensive. Winter, and his children shivered at the front gate, silhouetted against a blazing house…. Summer, and he watched his children’s heart break. Autumn again, and Boo’s children needed him. Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough” (Lee 236-237). All those years he has watched as Scout and Jem grew up. All those years he imagined they were his own. Characterization is significant for the reason that Scout realized Boo Radley isn’t the irrational murderer, he is portrayed to be; he is pleasant and generally cares for the children.