Table of Contents
In the 1930s, a tiny Southern town serves as the backdrop for Harper Lee’s famous book “To Kill a Mockingbird,” which offers a nuanced, comprehensive examination of social injustice, prejudice, and moral integrity. Walter Cunningham stands out among the many people that make up this story’s cast as an example of the rural poor class and an illustration of the pervasive socioeconomic divide in Maycomb society. This article will undertake a thorough examination of Walter Cunningham, emphasizing his relevance and the perceptions into the larger cultural framework of the story that his character offers.
The difficulties and virtues of the working class in Maycomb during the Great Depression are symbolized by Walter Cunningham and his family. They have a great sense of honor, pride, and honesty despite their poverty. Walter’s persona sheds light on the town’s socioeconomic divides as well as the subtleties of class relations.
As a young, underprivileged youngster who, despite his living conditions, possesses a sense of dignity and honor, Walter Cunningham is first presented. He is a member of the ‘Cunningham’ clan, which is characterized in the tiered society of Maycomb as being made up of honest but impoverished farmers who never take what they can’t afford to pay back.
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The challenges of the Great Depression period, the sense of class pride held by the Southern working class, and the stark disparity across social classes are all seen through the lens of Walter’s character. His interactions with Scout and Jem Finch, particularly the events surrounding his lunch at the Finch home, highlight both his innate sense of pride and the enormous socioeconomic divide that exists in Maycomb.
The father of the Cunningham family, Walter Cunningham Sr., also contributes significantly to illuminating the dynamics of class and morality in Maycomb. He is a man of integrity who, in spite of his poverty, rejects charitable donations and insists on an exchange of products to pay off any obligations, illuminating the working class mentality of the time.
The Cunningham family, in particular Walter Cunningham Sr., is not exempt from the prevalent prejudice and racial discrimination of the day. This is made clear when Walter Sr. joins the mob that is planning to lynch Tom Robinson, a black man who is innocent but has been charged with rape. His original intention is defeated, revealing a subtle layer of depth in his character, by the encounter with Scout, who serves as a reminder of his own identity and moral code.
Conclusion:
Walter Cunningham plays a more significant role in “To Kill a Mockingbird” than merely a supporting one. He illuminates the complex web of social hierarchies, the harsh reality of economic suffering, and the continuing sense of pride and morality among the lowest economic strata of society. In addition, his character shows how people may be influenced by prevailing society biases while having an innate sense of justice, but they can also be changed by empathy. So, in the end, Walter Cunningham personifies the complexity and inconsistencies that made the story of “To Kill a Mockingbird” so lasting.
References
- Citations: Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”
- By Claudia Durst Johnson, “Inequality in To Kill a Mockingbird”
- By Andrew Murphy, “Social Class and Race in To Kill a Mockingbird”
- Claudia Johnson’s “Mockingbirds and Social Inequality”
- Michael J. Meyer’s “Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird: New Essays”
