As in relation to the mockingbird theme, viewing situations from another's perspective, and heroism/ bravery.
The Maycomb community is a typical Southern community during the Depression. Money is tight, unemployment high. The community isn't tight per se; there is a division between those classes considered to be elite (Scout's family would be one of these even though they're far from wealthy). Scout's aunt places importance on breeding and background, "gentle breeding," believing family history separated her family from the rest of the town. Farm families would come in behind the elite and black families even lower.
Blacks and whites didn't socialize, attend the same functions, and a white man's word would always be taken over a black mans. It was said that prejudice and religion fit into Maycomb “like a hand into a glove.” And yes, everyone knew everyone's business.
What Scout and Jem learn from beginning to end is that the boundaries of their community need to be breached. Their father is a hero, Boo becomes a hero, and both Scout and Jem would have to be acknowledged for their bravery in the face of the society that surrounded them. They each acted outside the boundaries of class distinctions and exemplified what "community" should be.
To Kill A Mockingbird
