Analyse how the author’s choice and presentations of setting helped develop a main theme.
Harper Lee, the author of the novel ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ chooses a setting which reflects the racist society typical of the 1930’s. This representation was extremely significant to the reader, as through it we are able to understand the main theme of ‘injustice in society’. This protagonist theme frequently shown throughout the text is developed by Lee’s in depth description of the township 'Maycomb' By depicting the use of imagery, certain situations and the verdict of Tom Robinson’s case the reader is able to understand why the author choose Maycomb and how its presentation develops the underlying theme of ‘injustice in society’.
In the beginning of the novel the reader gains written clues which paint a vivid picture regarding the physical appearance of MaycombCity. The narrator, Scout, using imagery to describe its specific aspects, “Maycomb was an old town, in rainy weather the streets turned to read slop, grass grew on the side walks, the courthouse sagged in the square”. This creates the image of a very dry, dull town one where the citizens may be few and the shops next to none. “Men’s stiff collars wilted by nine, ladies bathing by noon”, strongly indicates a strong etiquette withheld within the township as reader could view that dressing in such a manner is slightly unorthodox considering the heat. This is reinforced when we gain the knowledge that the township is segregated between black and whites; whites in the township and blacks in the rural area the outskirts of Maycomb – ‘where they belong’.
As the text progresses Lee uses specific situations to portray the social setting in Maycomb. An example of this is displayed on Scouts first day of school when she is attempting to advise her teacher of the family ‘caste’ system, which is present in their society. “He wont take yo’ quarter Miss, cause he’s a Cunningham; Cunningham’s never take what they can’ give back”. This innocent point of view from the contemporary narrator Scout informs the reader of the depth the injustice in Maycomb goes; the discrimination running greater in the small community than skin-deep. Another example of how scenarios from the text display the protagonist theme of injustice in society is during Tom Robinson’s trial. It is evident from the previous descriptions of the segregated township how racist the society in Maycomb is. However throughout Tom Robinson’s trial this idea is more strongly reinforced by the jury consisting of only white folk whom are evidently in support of Bob Ewell, established by the constant criticism Atticus receives for representing a “nigger”. The fact that the town is willing to support one of the ‘lowest of the low’ white trash citizens over an honest black man strongly portrays the protagonist theme of racism/injustice in society.
The verdict of Tom Robinson’s case is the most significant example of ‘injustice in society’. Portrayed as a metaphorical mockingbird in the sense that an innocent man has been sentenced to death due to his colour is a strong indication of how deep the racism is embedded within the setting of Maycomb. With Atticus quoting earlier in the text that “it is a sin to kill a mockingbird” this event is almost foreshadowed, as the reader knows due to the time period of the 1930’s there is almost no way Robinson’s innocence could be proved. With the segregation apparent even in the courtroom, for example the whites seated downstairs and the blacks in the heat upstairs, the reader is not entirely surprised by the negative outcome. By Lee deliberately describing these settings she is able to portray the theme ‘injustice in society’ with ease. Even with Atticus’s honest debate “you know the truth, some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men can’t be trusted around our woman black or white but this is a truth that applies to the entire human race!” the verdict of Tom Robinson’s case is overall representing the overwhelming amount of racism that occurred in the 1930’s.
In conclusion the reader is able to clearly distinguish the protagonist theme ‘injustice in society’ through the use of imagery, certain situations and the verdict of Tom Robinson’s case as a way to represent the setting in Maycomb which is reminiscent of the 1930’s. I personally feel that the presentation of the setting made me question society in today’s modernised world, which is supposedly free of prejudice. It made me question the differences humans’ face in today’s society and how we could possibly adjust even more to accommodate those whom we also deem as ‘different’.