In Summer of My German Soldier, summarize how the town is insensitive to groups of people who are different than the cultural majority.

I think that this becomes one of Patty's central
recognitions in the story.  Patty understands that the town is insensitive to those who
are different in a variety of contexts.  The first one is her own experience through her
father.  Being the only Jewish family in the largely Protestant town, Patty's father
demands that his heritage be put aside and that the family "blend in."  From this, Patty
recognizes that the town has fundamental problems accepting those who are different.
Those who dissent face social ostracizing, and conformity becomes the only reality for
those who wish to not make waves and bury their own identity.  Patty sees from her
mother that the poor in the town are only useful when they can spend for the rich. 
Patty's mother specializes in getting poor people to spend beyond their means so that
she can become more wealthy.  At the same time, the constant use of the term "poor white
trash" and other expressions that demean on the grounds of class reflect the economic
disparity between "the haves" and the "have nots" in the town.  Finally, Patty
recognizes that her town struggles with difference in the way she is silenced and
marginalized for her feelings.  It is here where Patty's development makes the largest
jump, something that she recognizes in full force in the town.  It is also here where
maturation for Patty will continue.