Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. Use bullet points. Her description also emphasizes Maycomb's traditional values and slow pace, which conjures the image of a small, old-fashioned Southern town in the audience's mind. A+ Student Essay: Boo Radley's Role in Scout and Jem's Lives and Development, Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird Background. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Essential Passage by Character: Atticus Finch, Essential Passage by Character: Scout Finch, Essential Passage by Theme: Loss of Innocence. The fictional town of Maycomb, in the fictional Maycomb County, seems intended not to represent an exact location in the real world, but a kind of small Southern town that existed in the 1930s. Mr. Cunningham displays his human goodness when Scouts politeness compels him to disperse the men at the jail. He is a powerful symbol of goodness swathed in an initial shroud of creepiness, leaving little presents for Scout and Jem and emerging at an opportune moment to save the children. The house has clearly seen better days, and Mrs. Dubose lives there in a state of decrepitude. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee | Setting & Time Period, Dill Harris in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee | Analysis & Quotes, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Chapter 2 | Summary & Quotes, To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 1 Questions, To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee: Ch. In chapter 15 of To Kill a Mockingbird, why does the group of men come to talk to Atticus on his front porch? We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. Church, has that name because it was the first thing freed slaves bought after the Civil War. The Finches neighbor, a sharp-tongued widow, and an old friend of the family. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). A character compares his death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds, which echoes Atticuss comment to his children that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird.. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. She also mentions that Atticus once had his law office in the courthouse but that he decided to move to quieter quarters in the bank building. After all, there was, '. One day, Scout notices something shiny in a tree at the edge of the Radley yard. How would you describe the position of women in Maycomb with details and examples at the time represented in To Kill a Mockingbird. What does Scout find in the knothole of the tree in the novelTo Kill a Mockingbird? A widower with a dry sense of humor, Atticus has instilled in his children his strong sense of 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Essential Passage by Character: Atticus Finch, Essential Passage by Character: Scout Finch, Essential Passage by Theme: Loss of Innocence. They're mean, dirty, and lazy; all-in-all, a massive drain on the rest of Maycomb. Why does Atticus take Tom Robinsons case knowing that hell lose? Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! These types of residents were crucial to the plotline Harper Lee created, and the story would not have gone as intended if it was located anywhere else. Scout sums up the town fairly succinctly: '. Mens stiff collars wilted by nine in the morning. Wed love to have you back! No, Maycomb County is not a real place. What is the significance of the gifts Boo Radley leaves in the knothole? To Kill a Mockingbird: Important Quotes Explained | SparkNotes This implies that the courthouse, along with the town in general, has now fallen into a somewhat dilapidated state. This term describes the time from the late 19th century until the mid-1960s when Black people in the United States could no longer be held in slavery, but where laws limited the social, political, and economic possibilities available to Black citizens. . Scout's description of Maycomb portrays her hometown as tired, mundane, and extremely hot. for a customized plan. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Scout and Jems father, a lawyer in Maycomb descended from an old local family. Most wealthy people help the poor, but the main people they help are the Cunningham 's family. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! Expert Answers. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% However, Jem can remember his mother and Scout notices that he is occasionally nostalgic about her. A+ Student Essay: Boo Radley's Role in Scout and Jem's Lives and Development, Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird Background. Why does Aunt Alexandra move into the Finch household? The feeling of decay that hangs around the place is reinforced with Scouts description of the fusty, dingy old offices within the building (chapter 16). How does Scout describe the way she and her brother feel about their father in To Kill a Mockingbird? Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Contact us Instant downloads of all 1748 LitChart PDFs WebIn Chapter 1, Scout describes the boundaries of the small neighborhood in Maycomb where she, Jem, and Dill were allowed to roam unsupervised. In rainy weather the streets turned to red slop; grass grew on the sidewalks, the courthouse sagged in the square. The courthouse, then, certainly seems to be in the busiest part of town. Lee made the choice to set the events of her novel within this fake town because the ideology of her hometown helped drive her focus on social justice within the novel. | Continue to start your free trial. Scout says of the house: "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.". To Kill A Mockingbird Since no one ever sweeps (clears) the grass, tall weeds have taken over the yard. https://www.enotes.com/topics/to-kill-a-mockingbird/chara https://www.enotes.com/topics/to-kill-a-mockingbird/themes. (one code per order), SparkNotes PLUS Everyone knows everyone else's family history and their personal business. The Finches Black cook. In his willingness to look past race and praise the integrity of Toms character, Deas epitomizes the opposite of prejudice. Atticus is a lawyer and makes enough to keep the family comfortably out of poverty, but he works long days. There were delicious smells about: chicken, bacon frying crisp as the twilight air. (Lee, 5). Hes a portly man who whittles, though only to make himself toothpicks. She talks about passing through the town square, and that on the south side of the square the courthouse is more or less in darkness. How does Maycomb react to Tom Robinsons death? The house was low, was once white with a deep front porch and green shutters, but had long ago darkened to the color of the slate-gray yard around it. Maycomb County was deeply divided on the issue of racial equality, much like the rest of the South. Central Idea Essay: Is Justice Achieved in To Kill a Mockingbird? Maycomb, Alabama, was based on several different towns in the Deep South that had close-minded attitudes and portrayed racist actions during the 1930s. SparkNotes PLUS Want 100 or more? It was necessary either to back out to the highway or go the full length of the road and turn around; most people turned around in the Negroes front yards. It is better to say, built in spite of them. Latest answer posted April 07, 2021 at 1:49:28 PM. Corrections? WebSummary and Analysis Part 1: Chapters 4-5 Summary The school year passes slowly for Scout. It had only one main street, with the courthouse square at the north end and the school close to the southern end. Harper Lee uses Maycomb County as a microcosm, or a small entity that represents something much larger, for racial issues happening in the Deep South and in the United States at large. The sheriff in Maycomb. There was no hurry, for there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy and no money to buy it with, nothing to see outside the boundaries of Maycomb County. His aggressive, drunken behavior causes people in Maycomb to give him a wide berth and allow him to break the rules, as, The Finches neighbor across the street. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Jem and I detected squirrel cooking, but it took an old countryman like Atticus to identify possum and rabbit, aromas that vanished when we rode back past the Ewell residence. The jail doesn't fit in with the other buildings in town, as it is a "Gothic joke" with flying buttresses and a red brick front, and it only fits one cell across and two cells up and down. and find homework help for other To Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. A widower with a dry sense of humor, Atticus has instilled in his children his strong sense of morality and justice. In rainy weather the streets turned to red slop; grass grew on the Start your 48-hour free trial to unlock this answer and thousands more. A wealthy white man who lives with his Black mistress and multiracial children. The only other dwellings in this area are the cabins where Black families live, an indication that the town is both racially and economically segregated. Central Idea Essay: Is Justice Achieved in To Kill a Mockingbird? You're likely thinking to yourself, 'But Maycomb County is the setting, not a character!' In the opening chapter of the novel, Scout offers a vivid description of her hometown of Maycomb, Alabama by saying. Contact us However, it is based upon Harper Lee's real birthplace and childhood home of Monroeville, Alabama. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. read analysis of Jean Louise Finch (Scout), read analysis of Jeremy Atticus Finch (Jem), read analysis of Charles Baker Harris (Dill), read analysis of Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose. Rain-rotted shingles drooped over the eaves of the veranda; oak trees kept the sun away. If Maycomb County had been located in any other state, such as New York, Ohio, California, or Montana, the plot would not have made as much sense as it does when it is located in the Deep South. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. While that fact is very true, Maycomb County and the town of Maycomb have as large a role in shaping the course of the story as individuals like Scout Finch, Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, and Bob Ewell. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. WebScout and Jems father, a lawyer in Maycomb descended from an old local family. Tom Robinsons employer. Somehow, it was hotter then: a black dog suffered on a summers day; bony mules hitched to Hoover carts flicked flies in the sweltering shade of the live oaks on the square. Men's stiff collars wilted by nine in the morning. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! How does prejudice connect to the main idea of the story in To Kill a Mockingbird? Why does Aunt Alexandra move into the Finch household? You'll be billed after your free trial ends. Why does Dolphus Raymond hide Coca-Cola in a brown paper bag? Below is the article summary. To Kill a Mockingbird The Finch home is on S. Alabama Avenue, being neighbours with the Haverford family and with Ms. Dubose. WebMaycomb County. The remains of a picket drunkenly guarded the front yarda swept yard that was never sweptwhere johnson grass and rabbit-tobacco grew in abundance. Latest answer posted April 15, 2021 at 5:47:22 PM. Underneath the surface of Maycomb's polite, friendly veneer, there is blatant hypocrisy and racial discrimination. Scout explains that the first Finch arrived in the general area as a follower of Andrew Jackson during the Creek War. Latest answer posted December 18, 2020 at 11:09:54 AM. Latest answer posted May 15, 2016 at 7:21:00 PM. If you've ever looked at a map of the state of Alabama, you may have noticed major counties like Baldwin, Elmore, or Monroe. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. What is the physical description of Jem Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird?I need the description of him as of the end of chapter 11, when he's between 10 and 12 years old. Subscribe now. Complete your free account to request a guide. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. In addition to being literally appropriate, these descriptions also apply to more subtle social aspects of the town. Read an in-depth analysis of Tom Robinson. They're not educated and they live in the rural parts of Maycomb County, but they work hard and really don't bother anyone. The Black field hand accused of rape. These years place the events of the novel squarely within two important periods of American WebSetting Maycomb, Alabama; the 1930s Welcome to small town Alabama, circa 1930s. African Americans live in their own neighborhood past the dump, far from even the Ewells, the poorest and most despised of Maycombs white families. There are many impoverished families in Maycomb, and the town is racially segregated. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! Shes a mostly benign presence in, Mrs. Dubose is a widow who lives two doors down from the Finches. Of all days Sunday was the day for formal afternoon visiting: ladies wore corsets, men wore coats, children wore shoes. Subscribe now. The children won't touch the nuts that fall into the schoolyard because they are afraid of the Radleys.. Renews July 15, 2023 This book reveals the predominance of racism in the southern United States during his time. Maycomb is also a place where conformity is expected and anything out of the norm is viewed with skepticism and uncertainty. Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. Most Maycombites have lived in the area for all of their lives, leading to longstanding patterns of behavior and universal knowledge of family traits. What is the first quote in To Kill a Mockingbird that mentions Mrs. Dubose? Hes a generally kind man who employed, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. What passages in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird describe Scout believing that there is prejudice in Maycomb County? This could indicate that the people of Maycomb County tend to be traditional and old-fashioned. Even the Finches, who are objectively better off than many of the other citizens in the area, are ultimately poor and living within the means available to them. To Kill a Mockingbird The faded paint, drooping shingles, and overgrown yard show that no one maintains the property. Scout also describes her family and mentions that her ancestor Simon Finch established his homestead on the banks of the Alabama River near Maycomb. for a customized plan. How does Scout describe Boo Radley in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird? Calpurnia has been the cook for the Finch family since Jem was born. To Kill A Mockingbird Wiki is a FANDOM Books Community. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Scout and Jim must walk by Boo Radley's home to get to school, which suggests that Radley's house is located closer to the school than the Finch home. "How does Scout describe the Maycomb courthouse in To Kill a Mockingbird?" It's predictable. Annual Plan - Group Discount. Renews July 15, 2023 eNotes Editorial, 3 Mar. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. Given Scout's description, Maycomb is a friendly, welcoming community where neighbors get together and enjoy socializing with each other. Scout then describes meeting Dill for the first time before she comments on the strange Radley family. Maycomb, Alabama isn't a real place but was modeled off of Lee's birthplace and childhood home of Monroeville, Alabama. Web1960 Words8 Pages The book "To Kill a Mockingbird" describes different classes of people as been rich and poor. A dirt road ran from the highway past the dump, down to a small Negro settlement some five hundred yards beyond the Ewells. What is the significance of the gifts Boo Radley leaves in the knothole? "Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. (including. What role does Calpurnia play in the family and in the novel? The adjoining church yard was of clay, with a cemetery on one side. Maycomb is also sharply geographically divided along class lines. Even without this information, we can assume that a building as important as this would have a prime, central location within the town, and Scouts description is in keeping with this. Although Jem believes that Mrs. Dubose is a thoroughly bad woman, Atticus admires her for the courage with which she battles her morphine addiction. WebTo Kill a Mockingbird, Novel by Harper Lee, published in 1960. Latest answer posted April 15, 2021 at 5:47:22 PM. Latest answer posted November 20, 2020 at 10:58:48 AM. Chrissy has taught secondary English and history and writes online curriculum. WebListen to article. 20% A recluse who never sets foot outside his house, Boo dominates the imaginations of Jem, Scout, and Dill. To Kill a Mockingbird Overview & Analysis, Figurative Language & Metaphors in To Kill a Mockingbird, Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, To Kill a Mockingbird: Characters, Setting & Author, To Kill a Mockingbird: Summary, Analysis and Quotes, Indirect Characterization in To Kill a Mockingbird, To Kill a Mockingbird: Themes, Symbols & Imagery, To Kill a Mockingbird: Setting & Time Period, Maycomb County, Alabama, in To Kill a Mockingbird, Examples of Foreshadowing in To Kill a Mockingbird, Courage in To Kill a Mockingbird: Examples & Quotes, Empathy in To Kill a Mockingbird: Examples & Quotes, Why was To Kill a Mockingbird Banned? succeed. for a group? The sheriff of Maycomb and a major witness at Tom Robinsons trial. When it rains, the dirt roads turn to mud, and when its not raining, it is stiflingly hot and buggy. The dirt road to the neighborhood, so narrow that cars can only turn around in the adjacent yards, shows how little regard the town has for its Black residents. $24.99 Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Free trial is available to new customers only. A day was twenty-four hours long but seemed longer. Maycomb is a small, rural town located somewhere in the southern United States state of Alabama. An elderly, ill-tempered, racist woman who lives near the Finches. The Radley Place was inhabited by an unknown entity the mere description of whom was enough to make us behave for days on end; Mrs. Dubose was plain hell. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 1 Youve successfully purchased a group discount. Quick summary of To Kill a Mockingbird | Britannica 2016, https://www.enotes.com/topics/to-kill-a-mockingbird/questions/how-scout-describe-maycomb-courthouse-kill-641572. Read an in-depth analysis of Atticus Finch. In rainy weather the streets turned to red slop; grass grew on the sidewalks, the courthouse sagged in the square. He carries a rifle, but he insists that hes not as good of a shot as, The elderly judge in Maycomb. Son of Mr. Walter Cunningham and classmate of Scout. You may be surprised to find that Maycomb County cannot be found on a map. A microcosm is a small structure that is meant to represent something much more significant and meaningful. Maycomb County in To Kill A Mockingbird - Study.com If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. An intelligent child emotionally damaged by his cruel father, Boo provides an example of the threat that evil poses to innocence and goodness. At the top of Maycomb County's social pyramid are families like the Finches. 8 | Summary & Analysis, To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 15 | Summary & Quotes, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: Ch. He is one of the few residents of Maycomb committed to racial equality. To Kill a Mockingbird Character Analysis | LitCharts Scout describes Calpurnia as all angles and bones, nearsighted, and owning a wide, hard hand which she used to discipline Scout. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Scout Finch shares with readers right off the bat, 'Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it.' Atticus refers to the town as being diseased and burdened by racism and social prejudice and works tirelessly to fight against that. Jem's comment highlights the underlying issues regarding racial prejudice which plague Maycomb's community. But what about Maycomb County, the setting of To Kill a Mockingbird? WebTo Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, is a story about inequality, injustice and racism seen through the eyes of two innocent children, Jem and Scout. Scout's description depicts Maycomb as a friendly, hospitable place where everyone knows their neighbors and gets along. What does Scout find in the knothole of the tree in the novelTo Kill a Mockingbird? . On the corner of Oak St and Drewry Rd was the Radley house. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. Already a member? This southern setting is important because it helps us to understand the racial divides and attitudes of the townspeople. . Historical Context Essay: The Scottsboro Boys Trials, Literary Context Essay: To Kill a Mockingbird & The Southern Gothic Tradition. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus.