Monday, December 26, 2016

Where is the Maycomb jail in To Kill a Mockingbird?

In chapter 15 of To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout narrates that the Maycomb jail is "wedged between Tyndal's Hardware Store and The Maycomb Tribune office."
Scout describes the jail as appearing ridiculous because it is a "miniature Gothic joke" designed in imitation of much more expansive and impressive structures. Incongruously, its "ecclesiastical windows" have thick steel bars in front of them. Unlike the Gothic structures of history, it stands upon no hill by itself to be seen and admired but it is instead squeezed between two "square-faced" stores. This odd little building has become a conversation piece of Maycomb's citizenry as some feel that it provides the town with a "respectable look" while others disagree, calling it a "Victorian privy" along with other derogatory descriptions. Despite its unique appearance, it does little more than house many of the black citizens inside it.
Uncharacteristically, Atticus announces that he is going downtown for a while on the same day after the men have come to talk with him, and he takes the car rather than walk as he usually does. Later, Jem decides to look for Atticus, explaining to Scout, "I've just got this feeling . . . just this feeling" as his reason for going out. Scout and Dill accompany him, and they find Atticus outside this miniature Gothic structure where a threatening scene soon takes place.

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