The Effective Use of the Setting in To Kill a Mockingbird, a Novel by Harper Lee
Set in Maycomb County, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in a town where setting is a great factor in how the plot is developed. The setting is what alters the character’s opinions, and is what develops the plot as a result of those people acting on their opinions. Set during the 1930s in a small, southern US town, the reader is able to see how the society and mindsets of Maycomb force not only the plot to grow, but the characters of Jem and Scout as well. In To Kill a Mockingbird, the setting advances the story by influencing the character’s judgments of other people and events.
The background which Maycomb County holds sets certain principles in place for its people, which induces their reactions towards different situations. During the Tom Robinson ordeal, Mayella Ewell was easily able to accuse Tom of a crime he did not commit, just for the sole reason that he was a black man living in a southern society of racial injustice.“ ‘In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins. They’re ugly, but those are the facts of life'” (Lee 295). Atticus’ use of the words “our courts” specifically shows that the mindsets of Maycomb County itself, are twisted so that no matter how innocent the black man might be, the white man will always win. Mayella successfully took advantage of this by using her race over Tom’s, subsequently leading to his death; a main event in the story. Furthermore, the majority of white, southern citizens during the 1930s were extremely racist towards black people.
This led to great controversy and anger when Atticus (a white man), took the responsibility of defending Tom Robinson (a black man), in court. This action is what led to the growth and maturation of Jem and Scout. “ ‘You aren’t a nigger-lover, then, are you?’ ‘I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody… I’m hard put, sometimes – baby, it’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn’t hurt you’” (144). The result of the racism and controversy happening in Maycomb actually helps Atticus teach Jem and Scout important lessons about good morals, such as standing up for what is right, no matter how unlikely you will succeed. As a result of the manner in which the citizens of Maycomb think, the story is able to develop and display the themes of the novel.
The majority of Maycomb’s families have been around for many years, creating certain reputations and stereotypes among one another which affects the citizen’s views of each other. Most characters in To Kill a Mockingbird view Boo Radley as a horrible person due to the things he had done when he was younger. This idea of him being an evil man is passed on from person to person and from generation to generation, and is what focuses the plot on the character of Boo Radley.“ ‘I remember Arthur Radley when he was a boy. He always spoke nicely to me, no matter what folks said he did. Spoke as nicely as he knew how?” (61).
Miss Maudie recognizes the fact that Boo Radley is in truth, a kind person. The hurtful fabrications concerning him only grew more and more obnoxious as they were passed around the town from each person.“ ‘Well how’d you feel if you’d been shut up for a hundred years with nothin’ but cats to eat?’” (62). Moreover, growing up in a setting where academic intellect was not seen as admirable, Jem and Scout’s perception of their father was overcome with disappointment, for they saw him as weak. “Our father didn’t do anything. He worked in an office… did not farm, work in a garage, or do anything that could possibly arouse the admiration of anyone” (118).
Jem and Scout never really saw Atticus as a laudable man due to the kind of society they grew up in. However, after Atticus was forced to shoot down the rabid dog in chapter 10, the children learn a very important lesson in humility and soon saw their father in a whole new light, thus developing their characters even more. Therefore, setting plays a big role in how the characters perceive each other. To Kill a Mockingbird uses the culture and ideals of the south to its advantage, and uses it as a platform for the plot to expand. These beliefs give each of the characters, such as Mayella Ewell, some form of individuality, thus affecting the way they react to the intense situations that are displayed in the novel. This use of setting helps the entire story come together by forcing these clashing personalities to interact with each other, and face different conflicts. In To Kill a Mockingbird, the setting teaches an important lesson about thinking for yourself and standing up for what is right, even if everyone around you thinks differently.
