Examples Of Southern Hospitality In To Kill A Mockingbird

Southern Hospitality

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee depicts a typical town in the South. The story’s setting located in Maycomb, Alabama interests the modern day reader. This unique little city develops some of the most pleasant qualities. While every populated area has its own distinct characteristics, Maycomb’s clear trait is its friendliness. The people there show their openness in several way. Southern hospitality presented in this book happen when Jem asked Walter Cunningham over for lunch on the first day of school, when Mr. Arthur gave the Finch kids presents, and when Miss Maudie made cakes for Jem, Dill, and Scout after the Tom Robison case.

Although Scout dislikes Walter, Jem still invites Walter over for lunch. “Jem suddenly grinned at him. ‘Come on home to dinner with us, Walter,’ he said. ‘We’d be glad to have you.’” (p.30). Through Walter’s visit, Jem shows his kindness by not saying anything to Walter when he drowned his food in syrup. Scout on the other hand speaks up and embarrasses Walter. Scout because she expressed herself has to go to the kitchen and get a talk from Calpurnia. Jem however stayed at the table and was able to stay out of trouble. Jem shows the most

hospitality when he asks Walter to come and eat with him.

The Finch’s “scary” neighbor, Mr.

Arthur, demonstrates his kindness by leaving little presents in the knothole of the oak tree for Jem and Scout. His small act of generosity brings the kids tremendous joy. Mr. Arthur gives pennies, chewing gum, yarn, a watch, and soap dolls to these children. “‘I see it, Scout! I see it—’… Inside were two scrubbed and polished pennies,…” Mr. Arthur does not have much to give since he stays inside his house the majority of the time. However, he does not limit himself to what he does not have, instead he gathers what he has and makes special trinkets for the Finch children. Mr. Arthur focuses not on himself but on what will make the Finch kids happy. The generosity that Mr. Arthur displays is true and constant no matter the

circumstances.

Miss Maudie, one of the Finch’s neighbors, exhibits her hospitality when she makes cakes for Scout, Jem, and Dill. She baked some cakes after the Tom Robison case for these younglings to try and help them unwind from a stressful week. While these children visited her, Miss Maudie attempted to explain some of the questions and problems Jem had from the trial. Miss Maudie tried to enlighten the youths and encourage them. “Suddenly she spoke: ‘Don’t fret, Jem. Things are never as bad as they seem.’” Miss Maudie displayed her unending compassion for these kids multiple times.

Jem, Mr. Arthur, and Miss Maudie demonstrate southern hospitality expertly. The Bible states in John 15:12 “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” These three characters obey this command when they put others’ needs above their own wants and desires. Readers should clearly see how this characteristic is shown through these individuals that Harper Lee so artfully described. Since majority of the citizens in Maycomb have this recognizable trait, Maycomb is a friendly place. Hospitality plainly presents God’s perfect love that Christians should have toward each other.