The Attitudes Of The People In To Kill A Mockingbird, By Harper Lee

In To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the judgmental and nonchalant attitudes of the people in Maycomb bestow both a negative and positive effect on the main characters in the novel. The traditional dynamic of the community prompts racism, and Atticus must take a stand over the judgment, name-calling, and the effect it has on his family. Sticking to these norms, the people in Maycomb hold each other to high standards, generating a tense and scrutinizing mood. Not only do false accusations create a misunderstanding of the Radley family, but Scout is also trapped between the guidelines of where she fits in. The traditional and monotonous setting of Maycomb, Alabama is the root cause for the standards the community holds for one another. As Lee illustrates the small

While, in later chapters, readers witness the thoughtful acts of Arthur, proving he may not be as harmless as Stephanie depicts him to be. Due to the generations of families living in Maycomb, the common belief is that the social standards should remain unchanged. In chapter 13, Atticus tells the children “You should try to live up to your name.she asked me to tell you you must try to behave like the little lady and gentleman that you are. She wants to talk to you about the family and what it’s meant to Maycomb County through the years, so you’ll have some idea of who you are, so you might be moved to behave accordingly” (177-178). On the contrary, this is not how Atticus views their family qualities and tries to steer Jem and Scout away from this idea of distinction. As a result, Scout struggles to find her fit as a young female due to the influence of Maycomb compared to her father who is accepting of the way she is. Ultimately, this leaves behind the tension and pressure of proving yourself and your identity as a