To Kill a Mockingbird | Chapter 1

In Chapter 1 of "To Kill a Mockingbird," we are introduced to the setting and main characters of the novel. The story is set in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression. Scout Finch, the narrator, recounts her childhood experiences. She lives with her older brother, Jem, and their father, Atticus Finch, who is a lawyer. They are also cared for by their housekeeper, Calpurnia. The Finch family lives next door to the mysterious Radley house, which is owned by the reclusive Nathan Radley and was previously inhabited by his brother, Arthur "Boo" Radley. Boo is the subject of many local rumors and superstitions. Scout describes her fascination with Boo Radley and the various myths surrounding him. The chapter also introduces us to the Finch family’s new neighbor, Dill Harris, who comes to stay with his aunt in Maycomb for the summer. Dill becomes a close friend of Scout and Jem, and the three children become intrigued with the Radley house and the enigmatic Boo Radley. The chapter sets up the central conflict of the novel by hinting at the prejudices and mysteries that will unfold as the story progresses.