In Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, although Maycomb County may appear to be a typical town filled with southern hospitality, deep within the community there is a great level of psychological abuse which occurs. This can be seen in the many relationships between the citizens of Maycomb, and their belittling behavior toward one another. Throughout this novel, this psychological abuse becomes evident to the reader through the fearful depiction of Boo Radley, persistence of Aunt Alexandria to reform the Finch family, criticism of Atticus, and racism toward African Americans.

At the opening of the novel, Maycomb is described as a dreadfully hot town during the summer where everyone travels slowly. It is implied that this town is in no way like that of a big city. In Maycomb, the people are in no rush, and everyone knows each other. "Maycomb...