Maycomb was often thought of a quiet town where everyone moved slowly with no rush to do anything. There was nothing to buy and nothing to see. People often left their doors open on Sundays to have their neighbors join them and celebrate. However, one thing separated the citizens of Maycomb: their economic class.
The Cunninghams, for example, don’t have enough money to pay for services in cash. When Atticus did legal work for Mr. Cunningham, he paid him in goods such as hickory nuts, a crate of smilax and holly, and a croker sack full of turnip greens. By the time Mr. Cunningham was paying off the entailment, he had more than paid Atticus back for his help. Scout didn’t understand how such a system could work, and when she asked Atticus if …show more content…
Then, Tom Robinson got to the stand and said the following after he was asked if he was paid for his services: “No suh, not after she offered me a nickel the first time. I was glad to do it, Mr. Ewell didn’t seem to help her none, and neither did the chillun, and I knowed she didn’t have no nickels to spare,” (Lee 256). Tom Robinson also testified about where the children were the day of the accused rape, and Mayella told him “they all gone to get ice creams… ‘took me slap year to save up se’m nickels, but I done it,” (Lee 258). When Mayella and Tom give their testimonies it shows how little the Ewells have. It also shows their standing in the community based on how people feel about them. At the beginning of the school year when Miss Caroline was beginning to know the students Burris Ewell was sitting in the classroom when Miss Caroline spotted something moving in his hair and suggested “I think we’d better excuse you for the rest of the afternoon. I want you to go home and wash your hair.” Scout further described him as :the filthiest human I had ever seen. His neck was dark gray, the back of his hands were rusty, and his fingernails were black deep into the quick (Lee 35).” This section of the novel shows how people viewed the Ewell family, not only were they poor but they also took
The Cunninghams, for example, don’t have enough money to pay for services in cash. When Atticus did legal work for Mr. Cunningham, he paid him in goods such as hickory nuts, a crate of smilax and holly, and a croker sack full of turnip greens. By the time Mr. Cunningham was paying off the entailment, he had more than paid Atticus back for his help. Scout didn’t understand how such a system could work, and when she asked Atticus if …show more content…
Then, Tom Robinson got to the stand and said the following after he was asked if he was paid for his services: “No suh, not after she offered me a nickel the first time. I was glad to do it, Mr. Ewell didn’t seem to help her none, and neither did the chillun, and I knowed she didn’t have no nickels to spare,” (Lee 256). Tom Robinson also testified about where the children were the day of the accused rape, and Mayella told him “they all gone to get ice creams… ‘took me slap year to save up se’m nickels, but I done it,” (Lee 258). When Mayella and Tom give their testimonies it shows how little the Ewells have. It also shows their standing in the community based on how people feel about them. At the beginning of the school year when Miss Caroline was beginning to know the students Burris Ewell was sitting in the classroom when Miss Caroline spotted something moving in his hair and suggested “I think we’d better excuse you for the rest of the afternoon. I want you to go home and wash your hair.” Scout further described him as :the filthiest human I had ever seen. His neck was dark gray, the back of his hands were rusty, and his fingernails were black deep into the quick (Lee 35).” This section of the novel shows how people viewed the Ewell family, not only were they poor but they also took