What Purpose does Section one serve in a Reading of To Kill a Mockingbird? :: English Literature

What Purpose does Section one serve in a Reading of To Kill a Mockingbird? Section 1 of the novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird', by Harper Lee establishes the main style and themes of the narrative. It begins by giving a brief summary of the history of the Finch family before setting the scene for the main action of the novel. It introduces the reader to the main characters who will, Scout, Jem, Atticus and Miss Maudie and some of the families who are relevant to the story, the Radleys and the Ewells. Some of the themes of the book become apparent in the first section and are then continued and elaborated on in the second half. Questions are also raised that arouse the reader's interest and encourage them to read on. From the first page it becomes apparent to the reader the book is written in first person tense, but it is several pages before the reader is informed that the story is to be related by a six year-old girl. The protagonist of the novel is Scout, a proud, headstrong girl who claims that she 'Never loved to read. One does not love breathing'. The story begins by her commenting on events that do not become clear until the end of the novel. She says 'I maintain that the Ewells started it all' but she does not explain what they started and the reader only discovers what she means as more of the story is revealed. This catches the attention of the reader, as their curiosity is aroused and they want to know what she is talking about. The writer then goes on to write a short history of the Finch family and a description of each of the characters immediately involved in the story; Atticus, Calpurnia and Dill. This provides a background to the events that are yet to happen and gets the reader to wish to know more about these people. The reader then becomes acquainted with their characters, attitudes and opinions and this provides the reader with some knowledge of how they will react to the events that happen in the second part of the novel. The first chapter also describes the events relating to the Radley family. It is a bit of a myth made from rumours that have been passed on from person to person until it the stories become completely unbelievable. This is humorous because the reader can see through Scout's eyes and although these things are completely ridiculous they can see that believes them. These events are not concluded and the reader can see that there will be more about this family in the second