Character Analysis Of Maycomb In To Kill A Mockingbird, By Harper Lee

Maycomb is a Good Community

A good society is one that is comforting, kind and supportive. Maycomb is one society that fits these attributes. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Maycomb is a community in which the residents are safe and happy. Although they face many problems, the people of Maycomb always help each other out and make sure everyone is happy. Also, in this community there is empathy for anyone in pain and everyone tries to comfort them. Lastly, Maycomb is a place where everyone is always there for each other no matter what. Maycomb is a good place to live because friendship has value, there is compassion for those in distress and people defend each other.

First, Maycomb is an excellent place to live because friendship is

valued by many of the residents. As Miss Maudie’s house is on fire, Boo gives Scout a blanket when she is shivering. Scout is very surprised because she “ didn’t know when he put a blanket around [her].” (Lee 72). This shows that Boo Radley wants to help her and take care of her. The blanket symbolizes the friendship he tries to build between himself and the kids. It is one of the first steps he takes while trying to be nice. Next, frienship is also seen through Miss Maudie’s cakes. Whenever she baked, “she made a big cake and three little ones”. (Lee 43). The cakes symbolize how she gets along with the kids and tries to comfort them. She is one of the few people that really takes their time to understand Jem and Scout and build a good relationship with them. The kids are able to trust her and come to her to be cheered up. Lastly, another character that shows the value of friendship is Calpurnia. She has been with Jem and Scout “ever since Jem was born.” (Lee 6). She is strict with the kids but also has a good relationship with them. Calpurnia is like the mother figure in their family. She takes care of them but also knows to scold them when they do something wrong. Scout and Jem genuinely like Calpurnia and appreciate her. Finally, because friendship is important in Maycomb, it makes it a good place to live.
Next, Maycomb is a nice community because people are compassionate for those in distress. During the trial, Tom Robinson was in the stand being questioned. Mr. Gilmer was talking to Tom very rudely and Dill noticed. He got very emotional because he thought that it was wrong to treat Tom like that. He did not like the fact that Mr. Gilmer was “doin’ him thataway, talking so hateful to him.” (Lee 198). This is an example of compassion from someone at a much younger age. Dill did not fully understand some of the issues going on in his town, but he still knew what seemed right or wrong. Next, when Tom Robinson was declared guilty in court, Jem could not believe it. He was in tears over a problem that he had thought could have ended well. When he was talking to his father about it, he claimed that “ it ain’t right, Atticus.” (Lee 212). Jem felt empathy for Tom because he was punished for something he did not do. Jem understood that what was happening was wrong, yet he could not do anything to fix it if he wanted. Lastly, Aunt Alexandra becomes unexpectedly emotional when Atticus comes home after losing the trial. She tries to console Atticus by calling him ‘brother’. This shocks Scout a little because she has “never heard her call Atticus ‘brother’ before.” (Lee 212). This shows that some of Aunt Alexandra’s strict and proper facade slipped. She was upset over what was going on with Atticus and let herself try and console him. In summary, because there is compassion for others, Maycomb is an excellent community.
Lastly, Maycomb is a good place to live because people defend and protect each other.

Scout defends her father against Francis’s name calling. She gets into a fight with Francis because he calls “Atticus somethin’, an’ [she] wasn’t about to take it off him.” (Lee 86). Scout really respects her father and can not handle it when someone else says something bad about him. She will even go as far as a physical fight, if it means she is protecting Atticus. Next, during the trial, Mr. Link Deas stands up for Tom. He speaks out and says “that boy’s worked from me eight years an’ I ain’t had a speck o’ trouble outa him.” (Lee 195). Mr. Deas knows who is allowed to talk in court and when, but still risks it all in order to defend Tom Robinson. He knows that what is being done to Tom is wrong and finds it hard to stay quiet. This shows that he is someone who thinks of everyone as equal. Third, Boo Radley saves Jem and Scout from Mr. Ewell. When Scout is on the Radley porch and looking back at what happened, she realizes that Boo knew when his “children needed him.” (Lee 279). Boo risks his life in order to save both Jem and Scout from Mr. Ewell trying to kill them. This not only shows that he has been looking after them, but also that he would go into a dangerous situation to help them. In conclusion, Maycomb is a nice place to live because people fight for each

other.
In summary, since friendship is treasured, people are compassionate and everyone defends each other, Maycomb is a good community. Through Boo Radley’s blanket, Miss Maudie’s cakes and a good relationship with Cal, friendship is seen as a powerful force. Compassion is present in Dill’s frustration, Jem’s tears and Aunt Alexandra’s emotion for her brother. Mr. Link Deas, Scout and Boo Radley all stand up for someone being wronged. There are many communities in which people feel comfortable, but a good community is one where everyone feels at home.