Does Harper Lee create Mr Cunningham appropriatly for the time and place of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird?

The America of the 1930s had much fewer people like the
shiftless, immoral Bob Ewell than it does today.  Since this period was before the Great
Society and the welfare state created in the sixties, people had no choice but to work
if they wanted to eat and have shelter.  Having worked for everything that he had--be it
ever so humble--Mr. Cunningham, who is representative of poor people of the Great
Depression, yet has a work ethic and pride.  He will not accept the WPA checks as does
the worthless Ewell; he refuses to be a parasite of society, even for a short time. So,
yes, he is appropriately created.

Because of his manly
dignity, Mr. Cunningham pays people in whatever way he can (he gives Atticus Finch
potatoes) as he does not wish to be "beholden to anyone," to use an expression of that
time. And, it is because of this dignity that Mr. Cunningham possesses that he feels
shame when little Scout speaks to him and reminds him of "entailments," for it recalls
the kindness that Atticus has shown him.  Recognizing that he owes Atticus Finch
respect, therefore, Mr. Cunningham tells the other men that they all need to withdraw
from the area outside the jail house:  "Let's clear out."