To kill a mockingbird is an extremely powerful book highlighting the horrors of racial discrimination in the "Deep South" of the United States of America. Discuss

The Walter Cunningham incident is of particular importance. It gives us some insight into what country life was during the ‘40’s, giving us insight into the character of the country folk of Maycomb. This character sketch is shown to us by Walter Cunningham’s refusal to accept money and the Cunningham family’s inability to repay Atticus in cash but persevere nonetheless to repay him in what ever means they can. This shows that they are humble yet sincere folk and that their word is their bond.

The Burris Ewell incident gives us even more insight into Maycomb country life. The people of Maycomb county, mostly the poor farmers, had a disregard for the importance of education. The Ewells attending only the first day of every school year and Walter Cunningham unable to pass the first grade because of helping his father with the crops are classic examples of the disregard, or more importantly, the underestimation of the importance of education by the Maycomb county parents. The Burris Ewell incident did not only show the disregard for education but also strengthened the apparent aura of strangeness emitted by Miss Caroline to the class. The class could not understand why she had such a fear for cooties as to them it was normal.

The arrival of Dill Harris every holidays meant change, excitement and adventure to Scout and Jem. Dill was a mischievous boy who was very intrigued by all that he saw around him. He was eccentric to say the least but among the most important eccentricity about him would be his obsession with Boo Radley and the Radley Place. He would stand on the corner opposite the Radley Place and lean against the light pole watching the Radley Place. The raids were clearly caused by Dill’s wittiness and throughout the first chapters he is portrayed to be quite a clever young man. The first raid, for instance, took place only because Dill knew how to persuade Jem into performing daring stunts. He did this by placing a bet with Jem. The more Scout and Jem informed him about Boo Radley’s horrors the more intrigued he became about luring Boo Radley out of the house and seeing what he would look like. This particular eccentricity would be the cause for much debate and discussion in Maycomb county in weeks to come.

The book is certainly captivating. So far it weaves a tale that is so intriguing that all readers of English literature shall be lured immediately. I can only expect it to exceed my expectations in Part Two.