<P> The theme of racial injustice appears symbolically in the novel as well . For example, Atticus must shoot a rabid dog, even though it is not his job to do so . Carolyn Jones argues that the dog represents prejudice within the town of Maycomb, and Atticus, who waits on a deserted street to shoot the dog, must fight against the town's racism without help from other white citizens . He is also alone when he faces a group intending to lynch Tom Robinson and once more in the courthouse during Tom's trial . Lee even uses dreamlike imagery from the mad dog incident to describe some of the courtroom scenes . Jones writes, "(t) he real mad dog in Maycomb is the racism that denies the humanity of Tom Robinson...When Atticus makes his summation to the jury, he literally bares himself to the jury's and the town's anger ." </P> <P>--Lee Smith </P> <P> In a 1964 interview, Lee remarked that her aspiration was "to be...the Jane Austen of South Alabama ." Both Austen and Lee challenged the social status quo and valued individual worth over social standing . When Scout embarrasses her poorer classmate, Walter Cunningham, at the Finch home one day, Calpurnia, their black cook, chastises and punishes her for doing so . Atticus respects Calpurnia's judgment, and later in the book even stands up to his sister, the formidable Aunt Alexandra, when she strongly suggests they fire Calpurnia . One writer notes that Scout, "in Austenian fashion", satirizes women with whom she does not wish to identify . Literary critic Jean Blackall lists the priorities shared by the two authors: "affirmation of order in society, obedience, courtesy, and respect for the individual without regard for status". </P> <P> Scholars argue that Lee's approach to class and race was more complex "than ascribing racial prejudice primarily to' poor white trash'...Lee demonstrates how issues of gender and class intensify prejudice, silence the voices that might challenge the existing order, and greatly complicate many Americans' conception of the causes of racism and segregation ." Lee's use of the middle - class narrative voice is a literary device that allows an intimacy with the reader, regardless of class or cultural background, and fosters a sense of nostalgia . Sharing Scout and Jem's perspective, the reader is allowed to engage in relationships with the conservative antebellum Mrs. Dubose; the lower - class Ewells, and the Cunninghams who are equally poor but behave in vastly different ways; the wealthy but ostracized Mr. Dolphus Raymond; and Calpurnia and other members of the black community . The children internalize Atticus' admonition not to judge someone until they have walked around in that person's skin, gaining a greater understanding of people's motives and behavior . </P>

Where was the pageant held in to kill a mockingbird