To Kill A Mockingbird Conformity Analysis

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Nelle Harper Lee, the citizens of Maycomb give and receive respect from the amount of conformity that is shown. At the beginning of the book, Jem is given little respect, Atticus is given a lot of respect, and the Radleys are given almost no respect. As the novel progresses, Jem matures and learns responsibility as a young adult. Atticus loses a bit of respect because of his defense of a black person. Meanwhile, the Radleys never conformed much and so never gained much respect. Maycomb’s entire society is based on the ability that people can comply with their standards. Every single person is judged by their conformity; they are given less or more acceptance based on this pattern.As people gradually conform to the social norms of Maycomb, they become more accepted. After it snows in Maycomb for the first time in Scout’s life, the Finch children go out and play in the snow. Jem makes a snowman, intending it to look like Mr. Avery. However, Atticus disapproves, knowing that the snowman would cause Mr. Avery to be upset. “Atticus suggested that Jem hone down his creation’s front a little, swap a broom for the stovewood, and put an apron on him” (90). Jem is shown to be immature; he does not look at the consequences of his actions. When he realizes them because of Atticus’ words, he problem solves, changing parts of the snowman. As a result of his change and realization of consequences, both Atticus and Miss Maudie approve of both Jem and