Harper Lee’s novelTo Kill a Mockingbirdis rich with legal and cultural references, many of which reflect the socio-economic challenges of life in the American South during the Great Depression. One such term that appears in the novel is entailment. This concept may seem confusing at first, especially for readers unfamiliar with legal terminology or rural land ownership traditions. However, understanding entailment is essential for grasping key moments in the story and the complex dynamics between characters such as Atticus Finch, Scout, and Mr. Cunningham.
Understanding Entailment in the Context of the Novel
What Is Entailment?
In legal terms, entailment refers to a restriction placed on property, typically land, that limits its inheritance or transfer. Specifically, an entail prevents the owner from selling the land outside a designated family line. The property is passed down through generations, often to male heirs, without the option for the current holder to sell or divide it. This system was intended to preserve estates within a family but could result in financial difficulty if the land could not be used to raise money or be sold.
Entailment in To Kill a Mockingbird
In the novel, entailment is introduced early when Scout talks about a man named Walter Cunningham and how his family is entailment poor. The Cunninghams are hardworking farmers who refuse to take anything they cannot repay. However, because of an entail on their land, they are unable to sell parts of it to raise cash during hard times. This situation causes economic strain for them, which plays an important role in their interactions with other characters in the story.
Why Is Entailment Important in the Novel?
Symbol of Economic Hardship
The concept of entailment is used by Harper Lee as a symbol of old Southern traditions that continue to impact people’s lives, often negatively. Mr. Cunningham, though an honest and decent man, is trapped by legal and financial limitations that he cannot control. His pride keeps him from accepting charity, and the entailment prevents him from generating income through land sales.
Illustrating Class and Social Divisions
Scout’s discussion with her father, Atticus, about entailment reveals the economic gap between families like the Finches and the Cunninghams. While both families are considered respectable, the Finches are more financially secure, while the Cunninghams are struggling due to their limited resources and rigid land inheritance structures. This difference reflects broader class distinctions in the novel’s setting, shaping how people interact and perceive each other.
Teaching Moral Lessons Through Entailment
When Scout first hears about entailment, she is confused by the term. Atticus uses the opportunity to explain not just a legal concept, but also a moral one. He highlights the dignity of the Cunninghams and their determination to live honestly, despite their financial troubles. This early lesson in empathy and understanding serves as a foundation for Scout’s moral development throughout the novel.
How Does Scout Learn About Entailment?
Scout’s Curiosity
Scout is a curious and intelligent child who often questions the adult world around her. When she hears about Mr. Cunningham’s situation, she doesn’t understand why someone would refuse help or why owning land wouldn’t make someone wealthy. This innocent questioning allows the reader to explore complex issues through a child’s eyes, making abstract concepts like entailment more relatable and understandable.
The Visit to the Jail
One of the most significant scenes involving entailment happens when a group of men, including Mr. Cunningham, confront Atticus at the jail where Tom Robinson is being held. Scout, without fully understanding the danger, approaches Mr. Cunningham and talks to him about his entailment and his son Walter. Her innocent words break the tension and remind Mr. Cunningham of his humanity, prompting the mob to disperse. This moment powerfully illustrates how small gestures can bridge vast emotional and social divides.
Legal and Historical Roots of Entailment
English Common Law Influence
The practice of entailment has its roots in English common law. It was originally intended to ensure the continuity of family estates, especially among the aristocracy. This practice was brought to the American colonies and persisted in parts of the United States, especially in the South, where land ownership was closely tied to family legacy and social status.
The Decline of Entailment
By the early 20th century, entailment had fallen out of favor in many parts of the United States. Legal reforms began to abolish or limit its application, as it was increasingly seen as a barrier to economic mobility and land development. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows how the lingering effects of entailment continued to shape lives even as the world changed around it.
Key Quotes Related to Entailment
- Entailment was only a part of Mr. Cunningham’s vexations. The acres not entailed were mortgaged to the hilt, and the little cash he made went to interest.
- What’s an entailment? I asked, and Atticus’s eyebrows raised. It’s a condition that keeps you from selling or using your property freely, he explained.
These quotes illustrate how the concept of entailment is woven into the narrative as more than a legal term it represents generational hardship, limited choices, and the quiet dignity of those who endure.
Impact on Character Development
Atticus Finch
Atticus uses discussions about entailment to teach his children important values. He doesn’t speak down to Scout but explains things in a way that fosters critical thinking. His respect for Mr. Cunningham, despite his financial troubles, demonstrates Atticus’s belief in equality and justice beyond wealth or social standing.
Scout Finch
For Scout, learning about entailment marks a step in her growing awareness of adult concerns. It opens her eyes to the struggles faced by other families and plants the seed for the compassion and understanding she shows later in the story.
The term entailment inTo Kill a Mockingbirdmay appear to be just a small legal detail, but it plays a significant role in the novel’s exploration of family, pride, morality, and social justice. Through this concept, Harper Lee illustrates the limitations placed on individuals by outdated systems and highlights the importance of empathy and moral integrity. Understanding entailment helps readers appreciate the depth of character relationships and the broader themes of hardship and resilience in the novel.