Social Class

Differences in social status are largely explored through the overcomplicated social hierarchy of Maycomb, the ins and outs of which are constantly baffling to the children. The relatively well-off Finches are near the top of Maycomb's social hierarchy, with most of the townspeople beneath them. Ignorant country farmers like the Cunninghams are below the townspeople, and the white trash Ewells are below the Cunninghams. But the black community in Maycomb, despite its abundance of admirable qualities, is below even the Ewells, enabling Bob Ewell to make up for his own lack of importance by persecuting Tom Robinson. Part of the adult world, these rigid social divisions are both irrational and destructive. For example, Scout cannot understand why Aunt Alexandra refuses to let her consort with young Walter Cunningham. Lee uses the children's perplexity at the unpleasant layering of Maycomb society to critique the role of class status, and ultimately prejudice, in human interaction.