Community in Maycomb

When I first looked over all of the summer assignments expected of us I couldn't figure out the point of the 4th of July collage. It sounded like fun, but I didn't understand how it related to To Kill a Mockingbird, especially since I was halfway through the book and there was still no mention of that holiday. I took a closer look at the prompt and the title stuck out at me: "Capture Your Community." Thinking back I realized that Harper Lee had established a sense of community in Maycomb several times throughout the story.

In the beginning of the book, Scout describes Maycomb as being filled with the same people-never changing. Later she explains that "the old citizens...who had lived side by side for years and years, were utterly predictable to each other" (149). Everyone grew accustomed to one another and, for as long as Scout can remember, each has treated the other like family.

In chapter 8, Miss Maudie's house catches fire and most of the town rushes out to help. It was one in the morning, but that didn't matter- "the men of Maycomb, in all degrees of dress and undress" began saving furniture, starting with what Miss Maudie valued most- her rocking chair. When the old fire truck broke down because of the unusual cold, no one gave up, instead "a crowd of men" resorted to pushing it all the way to Miss Maudie's place. When it became obvious that there was no hope of saving the house, Scout, Jem, and Atticus rushed to console Miss Maudie only to see she was was not grieving. Upon being asked why she was not upset, Miss Maudie proclaimed she was more worried about the danger she had put the rest of the town in that her lost home.

In chapter 11, Jem, outraged at the remarks of Mrs. Dubose, cuts of the tops of every camellia bush in her yard. To pay back for this outburst, Jem is forced to go over to Mrs. Dubose's home "'every afternoon after school and Saturdays and read to her out loud for two hours'" for a month. Each day the two hours progressively grows longer, turning into three, then four, etc. Growing exasperated with the long hours reading to the drooling old woman, Jem rejoices when the time is up. Atticus, however, tells Jem he must continue to read to her even though the month is up. Jem wasn't aware of it, but Mrs. Dubose was quite near death and was in great pain. Forcing Jem to continue to read to her, was Atticus's way of caring for Mrs. Dubose and providing her with a brief, companionable escape.

In chapter 13, when Aunt Alexandra comes for an unexpected visit she is welcomed by the whole town. Miss Maudie baked her a cake, Miss Stephanie Crawford "had long visits" with her, Miss Rachel had her over for coffee most afternoons, and Mr. Radley even left the quiet of his home to wish her welcome. Everyone went out of their way to bring her into the fold of Maycomb, because she was part of Atticus's family, and thus part of theirs as well.

These are just a few instances where Harper Lee illustrates the sense of community in Maycomb. Each citizen cares for the other, treating everyone like a family. Although, things come along to test these bonds, the town does its best to hold together.

~Rebekah :)