These differences have already been introduced in the novel through the character of Miss Maudie who tells Scout about some of the local fundamentalists and schismatics (comically Scout finds it difficult to grasp just what a 'footwasher' is). Maudie believes that it due to their fundamentalist religious beliefs that the Radleys have punished Arthur so severely for his teenage escapades. She finds some of theses over-zealous beliefs very distasteful. She likens attempts to browbeat with the Bible as worse than the behaviour of a drunk. This heightens the idea of irrationality in the behaviour of zealots. She tells Scout that some fundamentalists are enclosed in a hard shell which cuts them off from basic human feelings. She says that a too focussed concentration on the next life leads to an inability to live properly here. (This is a fundamental idea that is worth your while exploring - within the bounds of grace and intellect of course) Maudie has felt the edge of the fundamentalists' tongues when they emerge from the woods to cast condemnatory texts at her for her concentration on the art of gardening, To these Maudie, herself Biblically literate, is able to reply with counter-texts.
Maudie is clearly a focus for Lee's religious views just as Atticus is for her views on law and justice. Although Lee is something of a recluse it is obvious to me that she must be a practising Christian. Maudie not only criticises but exemplifies certain types of Christian behaviour, not only in her kindness to the children but in her attempt to defend others. She is the one who tries to reassure a stressed and tearful Alexandra later; she is the one who defends Atticus behaviour from a Christian perspective; she is the one who trips up the hypocrites at the Missionary Society meeting in Atticus' home. Note also her brave response to the destruction of her home by fire. This non-materialistic response to a loss is not just the stoicism of the pagan but of one who believes it important to bare a merry countenance. And it must be a terrible loss to one already a widow.
Thus the religious ideas are probably best studied through the character of Maudie who principally embodies Lee's thoughts but key scenes such as the Missionary Society meeeting with its multiple ironies are also worth exploring in detail. Calpurnia's church also has these - missionary meetings and hypocrites.
It is only by being an insider that Lee can present these to us so clearly. Only one who has fundamental principles of her own can present such a critical yet sympathetic picture of the Baptist beliefs of the Southern USA.
And that is only one aspect of this delightful novel.
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Originally Posted by Aurora Ariel
to kill a mockingbird essay assigned today due today...
