Narrative Conventions In To Kill A Mockingbird

How does Harper Lee use narrative conventions to comment on society's judgmental nature in To Kill a Mockingbird? The narrative conventions in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird impact on shaping the story. The conventions show and highlight the important parts of To Kill a Mockingbird. Therefore this essay will show the influence of the setting, conflict and theme in the plot and the affects. The setting reveals how the society is affected based on how they act. The conflict displays how social injustice is often shaped by societal norms. The theme highlights Harper Lee's message through racism, social injustice and acceptance. Harper Lee's use of narrative conventions greatly affects the societal norms and judgmental nature in To Kill
The setting is one of the more major conventions, and it has a big impact in the story. The setting affects the societal norms and judgment in the society of Maycomb. Maycomb's population bases their actions upon the size of the community. Since Maycomb has a small community, there is more communication, meaning more judgement. The society of Maycomb is divided economically, in other words the wealthy is the most respected while the poor are looked down on. Aunt Alexandra explains to Scout why she cannot invite Walter Cunningham home. “But I want to play with Walter, aunty, why can't I?' She took off her glasses and stared at me. ‘I’ll tell you why' she said. 'Because-he-is-trash, that's why you can't play with him." (Aunt Alexandra, Page 301). Without a doubt this uncovers that the population of Maycomb is divided according to economics. This is true because Aunt Alexandra refers to Walter as "trash" even though he is the same race, but he is poor. Nevertheless Aunt Alexandra does not allow Scout to play with Walter Cunningham because his status is well known in Maycomb. It is a societal norm to stick with people of the same social status. The setting as a small population affects the judgment of the people, because everyone knows everyone. This is like the smaller the bag is, the faster things can be found. This reinforces that the smaller the community is, the faster knowledge about people can travel. This is important because no one wants to look bad, everyone is Maycomb abides by the standards that are set, even if the consequences are dangerous. If anyone in Maycomb makes a mistake, it becomes quickly known to everyone. Immediately the mistake and the person who made the mistake are judged harshly. This affects everyone, as everyone's actions is situated upon judgement. Someone could judge wrongly and accidently ruin an innocent person's life. To Kill a Mockingbird