To Kill a Mockingbird
What do we learn about the socioeconomic situation of the people of Maycomb, in chapters two and three?
In chapter TWO and THREE!
In chapter TWO and THREE!
Scout alludes to town's social strata quite clearly on her first day at school when Walter Cunningham does not have lunch or lunch money. Her classmates ask her to explain to the teacher why Walter won't take a loaned quarter to buy lunch, and she lectures the teacher on the Cunningham's financial situation and how they trade goods for services. There is a social hierarchy among whites in the town, the Ewells being at the bottom. Scout and the other children have a very clear understanding of the social inequalities in their town, but see these inequalities as natural and permanent. Most of the town is very poor and the economic depression just makes things worse.