In literature, the setting of a story is an important factor in how characters develop and how the plot unfolds. Physical, cultural, and geographical surroundings are integral elements that can have a profound impact on character relationships and help to illuminate deeper meaning within a work as a whole.
Analyze how cultural, physical, or geographical surroundings affect a character and illuminate the meaning of the work as a whole.
One example of this is Harper Lee’s classic To Kill A Mockingbird. Set in Maycomb County, Alabama during the Great Depression, the physical setting reflects its protagonist Scout Finch’s journey from childhood innocence to understanding of racism in her community. Its small-town Southern atmosphere with dusty roads filled with picket fences reflect Scout’s sheltered upbringing thus far—an upbringing that will be tested throughout the course of events taking place. The cultural environment of Maycomb County also affects Scout’s characterization: although she has grown up surrounded by racial injustice and bigotry, it takes her time to come to terms with this reality through interactions with other characters such as Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. By experiencing these conflicts firsthand, Scout learns more about people who are different from her own family—a lesson that will leave a lasting impression on her going forward into adulthood.
The geographical surroundings in To Kill A Mockingbird are significant too; they serve as reminders of both past injustices and potential for redemption. For instance, when the Finches visit Calpurnia at church one Sunday morning they receive “…cold stares from most members [of] First Purchase African M.E Church…Reminders , if any were needed…that times had not yet changed along racial lines…” (Lee). This powerful scene speaks volumes about how much progress still needs to be made towards true equality within Maycomb despite recent advancements elsewhere—and serves as an illustration for how far society still has left to go before it can fully reconcile its wrongdoings against people like Tom Robinson or any other minority group victimized by systemic oppression over time.
Ultimately then, Lee uses physical settings such as Maycomb County combined with broader culture shifts occurring around them to create an even greater sense of urgency surrounding themes like racism throughout To Kill A Mockingbird (Simonsson). Through this narrative lens readers gain insight into not only what happened during those pivotal moments in history but also what could have been if attitudes towards race had shifted sooner than they did afterwards — thereby making it easier for everyone involved including Atticus Finch, Jem & Scout themselves -to ultimately understand each other better beyond just proximity alone (Borges-Méndez). As such when viewed together these geographical surroundings act almost like mirrors allowing us all look back upon ourselves whether positively or negatively depending on where we stand today among our peers accordingly offering further insight towards whatever hidden meanings exist underneath Said much simpler put: no matter which way you cut it- there was nothing either good nor bad but thinking makes it so per se .
Therefore at its heartToKillA Mockingbird stands out amongst various works because regardless however disparate things may seem at first glance -all varying cultures geography’s & pastimes seemingly connected under our collective human experience nevertheless remain intertwined instead making clear why certain choices must be faced head-on whichever way one turns their attention next altogether speaking volumes about what really matters mostin life –not only that but perhaps more importantly why too…