In chapter 12 Scout and Jem are invited to Sunday Church at First Purchase, Calpernia’s regular place of worship. The strong sense of community (to the degree of borderline segregation of the Caucasian population if Maycomb) is seen in Lula, the well known trouble maker within their congregation. Scout remarks that the graveyard behind the church is more colourful and “happy cemetary” and is interested in the call and response manner that their hymns are sung in. Chapter 12 also gives insight into the social contracts of Church-going seen when Reverend Sykes shames a member of the community for not attending, and prevents the mass from leaving until enough donations were collected. Harper Lee seems to draw attention to the contrasts in the white and black communities and their attitude to worship, and forming the more genuinely and honest congregation that Scout has been introduced to.
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February 10, 2015 at 7:56 am
This is an example of excellent analysis – well done.
You have clearly considered authorial intent and how this is shown through the theme of social contracts.
Targets:
Develop your opinion of the contrasts between the different kinds of worship in Maycomb.
In class, we considered how the people of First Purchase find unity in their church despite its rundown appearance and the nature of Reverend Sykes – develop this to include some of that discussion.