SETTING AND ATMOSPHERE
To Kill a Mockingbird
Several passages in the novel are notable for their use of setting and atmosphere. The trial (chapters 17-21), the lynch mob (chapter 15) and the mad dog (chapter 10) are good examples. They are worth knowing well, as all can contribute to a variety of examination answers.
Chapter 10-the rabid dog lunges at Atticus, who shoots it down
1. At the start, we are told how Atticus was no good at anything; 'when be gave us our air-rifles, Atticus wouldn't teach us to shoot': peaceful, relaxed atmosphere
2. pg 98 Jem and Scout are playing normally and the atmosphere is very relaxed and slow as Jem says, 'There's somethin' wrong with an old dog down yonder'
3. Cal is busy cooking and assumes the dog's foot's hurt: normal, domestic atmosphere here
4. pg 99 Jem describes its movement; Cal comes out, stili not alarmed or rushing; cannot see the dog at first
5. suddenly, she sees him lurch and the leisurely atmosphere gives way to ACI'ION: Cal
'grabbed' the children, 'shut the wood door', 'shouted' into the telephone, spoke in broken, panicky sentences NB these strong verbs of ACTION
6. she forgets she's a black and gives the [white] telephone operator urgent instructions to tell folks 'a mad dog's comin' -in her panic she forgets her place
7. she runs to the FRONT door of the Radley Place (blacks use the back) DANGER!
8. dramatically, on a deserted street, a black Ford zooms up: 'Nothing is more deadly than a deserted, waiting street' - we share the tense atmosphere
9. we hear Heck Tate sniff, it's so quiet; he shifts his gun; we hold our breath
10. Tim gets to the Radley Place: he must be shot, but if anyone misses, the bullet will go straight into the Radley house
11 unbelievably, Tate hands the gun to Atticus; Scout sees this 'in a fog' in slow motion 'like an underwater swimmer'; the atmosphere is charged with danger and unreality/dreamlike
l2Atticus drops his glasses 'In the silence I heard them crack'
13 Tim tenses and looks up, as if to pounce... The rifle cracked"
14 Normal atmosphere and relief return 'Doors opened one by one, and the neighbourhood slowly came alive.' Time had seemed to stop/die during this tense, dangerous and charged atmosphere. Normal life has resumed.
I. Curr 1993; revised 2003
A