what do we learn about the socioeconomic situation of the people of Maycomb, in chapters two and three?

The socioeconomic situation of Maycomb is really important. You're socially high if you're good financially. If not, then you're lower than other people socially and financially. It also depends on the type of person you are. Like the Cunninghams are socially higher than the Ewells because the Cunninghams respect other people. If the Cunninghams owe a debt to someone, then they repay it in however way they can. For example, on page 23, Atticus explains this to Scout by: "As the Cunninghams had no money to pay a lawyer, they simply paid us with what they had." Scout further realizes this by saying, "One morning Jem and I found a load of stovewood in the backyard. Later, a sack of hickory nuts appeared on the back steps. With Christmas came a crate of smilax and holly. That spring when we found a croker-sack full of turnip greens, Atticus said Mr. Cunningham had more than paid him." This makes the Cunninghams socially higher than the Ewells because at least the Cunninghams respected everybody and tied to be kind to one another. The Ewells, however, have no respect for anyone and no one respects them.