Lee's Criticism of Formal Education

As is fitting for a town that is full of prejudice and ignorant thinking, the formal education system is portrayed as being flawed and illogical. I believe Harper Lee is criticizing the power and authority given to institutions such as schools and courts by showing how unfair and ineffective they are in the town of Maycomb. She makes a clear distinction between formal education, which takes place at school, and informal education, like how Atticus teaches his children at home. This is further emphasized by the fact that Atticus never attended school. As Scout says to Atticus, “You never went to school and you do all right” (32). In this way, Lee is not simply defining the educated versus the non-educated by who attended school. She rather distinguishes those who are open-minded, tolerant, observant, and thoughtful from those who are not. This pools together many members of the black community, most of whom it is safe to assume did not attend school, with Atticus, his children, Miss Maudie, and the other compassionate people of Maycomb. Education is something that can be gleaned from life experience, interactions with other people, as well as books and school. In fact, when Scout is sent to school her intelligence is frowned upon and she fails to be taught much. However, when she reads with her father at home, Scout learns a great deal.