Essay 2 Topic

Essay 2: The Cultural Values of Maycomb

 

Rough Draft Due: October 15^th

Final Draft Due: October 20^th

3-5 pages, double spaced

 

• What are the cultural values of Maycomb?
  

 

• As she moves from childhood to maturity, what are the cultural values Scout learns to "synthesize and extract" from the "multiple subcultures" she belongs to? What values has she adopted and what values has she rejected?
  

 

• In other words, by the end TKAM, what are Scout's values and how did she arrive at them?
  

  
   

Background:

According to Wikipedia:

Members take part in a culture even if each member's personal values do not entirely agree with some of the normative values sanctioned in the culture. This reflects an individual's ability to synthesize and extract aspects valuable to them from the multiple subcultures they belong to.

To consider:

1. How does Maycomb handle "a group member (that) expresses a value that is in serious conflict with the group's norms"? How does Maycomb "encourage conformity"?
   
2. What people receive "honor or respect" in Maycomb? What are they being valued for?
   
3. What are the values regarding
   
   1. Gender (male/female)
      
   2. Race
      
   3. Justice
      
   4. Tolerance
      
4. What values are in conflict in Maycomb?
   
5. What is the Real culture in Maycomb?
   

What is the Ideal culture in Maycomb?