Comment on language and style.

The story stands on its own but it is closely related to another book by the author, “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Jean Louise, her family, and some other characters appear in both books. The reader who is not familiar with the first book will miss some minor points, though this book will still make sense and carry the same overall themes and ideas. One of those points is seen in Jean Louise's attitude toward her father and his actions related to the racial tension. In the first book, Atticus defends a young black man who is accused of the rape of a white woman. Atticus takes the case because he believes the young man deserves a good lawyer and that he isn't guilty of the crime. Jean Louise learns that her father believes that the young man deserves a good lawyer, despite the fact that he's black. Her earliest attitudes about race are forged in this setting. That makes it more devastating when she finds out that her father is participating in a local group that appears to be dedicated to promoting continued segregation and white supremacy.