The South and tradition are synonymous. Southerners are known to be proud of their traditional beliefs. To Kill A Mockingbird serves as a piece of literature that allows its readers to question and consider those southern beliefs. Maycomb represents a typical old southern town. Not many people move into Maycomb and not many people who live there journey beyond its boundaries. As a result, the opinions held by many of the citizens of Maycomb are left to grow and foster in the same families for many generations. The circumstances in Maycomb are less than ideal for generating change and mor

The small town of Maycomb sees nothing wrong with their traditional views -- high class is to be revered, and any attempt to mix with low blood or a different race is unspeakable. To Kill A Mockingbird analyzes the point at which the old tradition begins to change and evolve. Up until the trial, the people of Maycomb live the way they see fit. Equality is frowned upon, segregation is accepted, and hate is tolerated. Maycomb citizens believe that Tom Robinson is not, and should not be, a part of their lives or of their community. Atticus, on the other hand, finds faults with the town's traditional views. Thinking reasonably and intelligently, he knows he does not want his children to grow up with similar views. Atticus attacks old southern tradition by using the law. Atticus lives by a traditional code in which justice is highly valued. He strongly believes that "in our courts all men are created equal"(p.205). Atticus knows that if there is one place in which the time-honored codes of southern society can be broken, it is in a court of law. He discovers, however, that tradition is not easily broken and laws are not easily changed.

Mixing of race posed an even larger threat to the preserving of purity. Miscegenation did not have a place in southern society. Mr. Dolphus' mixed children are pitied because "colored folks won't have 'em because they're half white; white folks won't have 'em 'cause they're colored, so they're just in-betweens, don't belong anywhere" (p.161). Individuals of Maycomb deal with race in different ways, but they do not face up to the real problem. Some people ignore the problem and advocate separation. Others revert to hatred and sometimes even violence.

After realizing that he is fighting an uphill battle, it is Atticus' integrity that keeps him pushing forward. He sees the problems with southern traditional social codes and he realizes they must be redefined -- for the sake of his children, and his children's children. Atticus knows that one of these days someone is "going to pay the bill for it"(p.221). He realizes that traditional beliefs will not be changed overnight, and he does not expect it. His solution to his dilemma is to stick firmly to his own beliefs. Atticus Finch is a true Southern gentleman. His courage, nobility, pride, and honesty allow him to do what few men at the time could do. Atticus does not fool himself by ignoring the inevitable. He accepts Maycomb's traditions and attacks the traditional views that he does not believe in like a true gentleman.

e prone to sustaining traditionally accepted codes. Two codes

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Approximate Word count = 1738
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)