Social Structure In To Kill A Mockingbird

Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, is a realistic story that deeply discusses issues involved with the 1930’s that still resonate today. The struggles of life are evident within the believable characters of Maycomb County which is a microcosm, reflective of universal issues. Along with the authentic characters, setting and style also helps to convey Lee’s controversial notions of racial and gender prejudice, and persecution of the innocent, discussing many other ideas within.

Throughout the book, the Ewells are seen as “...a disgrace to Maycomb for three generations” because they seemed to be “liv[ing] like animals”. The family environment is so poor, that people in Maycomb say that their home “looked like the playhouse of an insane child”. Not only this, but they also don’t make their children go to school besides the first and last day of the school year, because according to Scout, it is “silly” to try to force people like the Ewells into a new environment. This reflects the complete neglect of the basic necessities needed for the Ewell to properly function and more importantly grow. Even the most miniscule of things, such as education, is refused. This will inhibit the growth of this family, and therefore the generational trend will continue to spiral.

Boo Radley was judged by his social class which was put down due to the stereotypical things said about him and the judgment from others, he starts to gain all that back from a little girl, Scout, who is slowly bringing his confidence again. Finally, Atticus was the opposite from the two characters, he had a high social and financial class, but that did not change his ways of thinking and still wanting to help people to see a change. Harper Lee lets the readers know that there is much to learn about the different types of classes and the impact it has on the

There were two main “lower class” families in To Kill A Mockingbird. The Ewell’s and the Cunningham’s. Both families were very poor. The Ewell’s being the lowest of the two. The readers learn about the Cunninghams after Scout gets in trouble at school with Miss Caroline. Scout notices that the Cunninghams do not have lunch and that they cannot even borrow a quarter. Scout argues with Miss Caroline when Miss Caroline tells Walter, “‘Here’s a quarter” she said to Walter. “‘Go and eat downtown today. You can pay me back tomorrow.”’ (page 19). Walter did not accept her money. Someone in the classroom told Scout, “‘Go on and tell her, Scout.”’ (page 19). Scout seemed to not want to tell Miss Caroline. Especially because Scout already had got into some trouble that day. However Miss Caroline addressed Scout in front of the whole classroom saying, “‘What is it, Jean Louise?”’ Scout replied to her by saying, “‘Miss Caroline, he’s a Cunningham.”’ (page 20) Scout was attempting to say that he was lying to her. It was confirmed that they were one of the poorest families in

To Kill A Mockingbird takes place in the 1930’s Alabama during the great depression. From reading the book, we get taken into the roots of human behaviour and find out some of the experiences that people had back in 1930's Alabama. The book centres around the main character Scout Finch, and through her narration, she shows us how people thought, and what racism looks like at that time. The small town of Maycomb is a place where everyone knows each other and expects everyone to act a certain way. When Atticus, a man who is respected by the entire town, decides to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, the whole town turns on him because he did not do what society thought was right. Societal expectations have a major impact on an individual's actions. An example society expects you to do could be as simple as holding the door for someone else or . It’s a social norm, individuals who have to make a decision will tend to do what society thinks is right even if they have to go against what

There are many different social classes in “To Kill A Mockingbird.” The factors that separate people into these social classes are their skin color and their occupation. For example, Atticus, Scout, and Jem are part of the highest social class. They are part of this social class because Atticus is a lawyer, which makes him a highly respected person in the community. He is also white, which, at that time was a very important factor that chose who belonged in what social class. Scout and Jem are his children and therefore are also part of this social class.

Social norms are apart of every society in some way, shape, or form. Issues occur off these social norms when there are outcasters who don’t exactly fit in with society's expectations. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout was pressured by many relatives and neighbors to “act like a girl”. Accept, Scout wants to be her own person. She wants to play in the dirt and have fun. Although, one particular person keeps putting her down, and that is Auntie Alexandra. Alexandra tries to play a female role for Scout and tells Scout how she is suppose to act. Scout however is very similar to Juliet capulet in this way. In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet was pressured by her mother to be more like other girls and to get married. Scout and Juliet,

Despite living in Alabama in the 1930s, Atticus Finch expects his children to treat everyone- regardless of race or class- with respect and dignity. There are many opportunities for Jem and Scout to concede to the Southern stereotypes of the 1930s, but with the guidance of Atticus and their housekeeper, Calpurnia, the children challenge the common stereotypes of the South- with some lessons learned. These stereotypes are based principally on race and social class. Several cases of these stereotypes arise throughout To Kill a Mockingbird. Many racial and social class stereotypes come out during Tom Robinson’s trial as well as during the children’s everyday lives.

How far do you think Harper Lee has effectively shown social class and family groups to be important at that time? The rigid class structure and social stratification of Maycomb County had a profound effect on the events in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The impact of this class structure was especially evident in the trial of Tom Robins on, a Maycomb Negro. The extreme prejudice of the town eventually led to the unjust conviction of Robinson for a crime he did not commit.

From the first seconds of dawn to the last moments of dawn, one thing overshadows the United States: social class. Whether it be lower, middle, upper, or somewhere in between, social structure has affected the lives of millions living in the U.S. for decades. Everyday life in the United States is shaped by the complex social structure. Numerous social classes divided and organized the citizens of Southern towns in the early to mid-twentieth century.

Background is highly valued because where a person comes from, forms who they are and their moral code. In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee the readers experience what it is like to grow up through a young girl’s eyes, named Scout, as she learns life’s lessons. Social class is brought up on numerous accounts and starts to show that it defines the person or family. No matter the positive or negative connotation, the people in Maycomb can not outlive their family name. Harper Lee also writes about the poorer families to display how unfair the social system was and how it predetermined their lives. A few main characters include Scout’s father Atticus, her brother Jem, nanny Calpurnia, and her aunt Alexandra. She lives in a small town called Maycomb in Alabama, and this book takes place during the 1930s. In the novel, Harper Lee exhibits that social class controls people’s lives in society in the 1930s. This is enhanced through the lense of Calpurnia, the Ewells, and the Finches.

These social classes are defined by education, manners, and race. These classes originate when people feel superior to others according to a certain standard. Sustaining superiority in these areas permeates the actions of the town. The theme of social class appears numerous times in the book through Jem’s discussion of literacy, Walter’s manners, and Aunt Alexandra’s opposition to Scout calling upon Calpurnia.

To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel written by Harper Lee. The novel is about the experiences of two siblings growing up in Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s. Scout and her brother, Jem Finch, over several years, learn valuable lessons about life and society. The main themes of the story are the loss of cherubic innocence and the rift of inequality in society. The novel is largely influenced when it was written by the author’s own experiences, Civil Rights, and the Great Depression. The Great Depression is referenced many times in the novel since the Great Depression plays an important part influencing the story’s setting, plot, and characters. In To Kill a Mockingbird there are signs that the Great Depression is present and that certain characters are affected more by it than others, and the Great Depression is shown in the story’s families and their lives.

In the beginning, while the main character Scout Finch is going to class with her new teacher Miss Caroline whom is new to town and doesn’t know very much about the people, social class is a very prominent theme. First off, while Scout was going to school she met a boy from the Cunningham tribe. The Cunningham tribe was very poor and worked off the land for all that they had. As Scout

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has become a mainstay in American high-schools. This is a classic novel that has inspired many people of all ages. It had a big impact on how people viewed and treated each other. This is a story that teaches everyone about the value of honesty, love, friendship and trust. Every word written in this book has a truly deep meaning to it. The time period that the book was written in was during the Great Depression in the 1930’s. This setting was in a small town in Maycomb, Alabama with people who did not get along. During this time there was a lot of segregation within America and different races. To Kill a Mockingbird is about a family who believes in doing the right thing and being honest. There was a