What type of words does the author use to describe the surroundings of the characters?

Lee commands an extensive and honed gift for descriptive language. Descriptive language paints a clear picture of Maycomb, and Lee's use of personification makes the town come alive.

Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it.

In rainy weather the streets turned to red slop; grass grew on the the sidewalks, the courthouse sagged in the square. Somehow, it was hotter then: a black dog suffered on a summer's day..."