CHARACTERS
Characters in To Kill a Mockingbird
Brainstorm
Scout –
- The story is told through her eyes (just like Lee’s past experiences).
- Throughput the plot of the story she is growing up with changing opinions.
- Just like most children, she is curious about things, she is childish, naive (lack of experience) – but this changes throughout the novel as she is exposed to many different experiences.
- She represents the good in people as they grow up.
- She loves her father, she even fights for his reputation.
- She eventually develops a more grown-up perspective that enables her to appreciate human goodness without ignoring human evil.
Atticus –
- Represents the justice, fairness, good, wise, loving, empathic (expressing something clearly), conscientious (wants to do his job well).
- He tries his best to make changes in the society. He fights for the equality between white people and coloured people.
- He is a good father.
- His children lost their mom, but he provides a good environment for them to grow up into good people. He teaches them to identify the good and bad.
- Atticus says ‘it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird’, this meant it is a sin to kill the innocent.
Jem –
- The older and more mature brother to Scout.
- He is empathic – cries for the result of Tom Robinson trial.
- He wants real justice throughout the novel, faithful, loving and represents the good while growing up.
Boo Radley –
- A mockingbird in the novel.
- Story of Boo – sub plot (secondary story).
- On the surface/ at the beginning he is seen as a loner, strange, scary and creepy man with mysteries.
- The later found truth, he is seen as good, brave, loving, sensitive, courageous and wise man.
- He saves Scout and Jem and kills Mr. Ewell who harms everyone.
Tom Robinson –
- A mockingbird in the novel.
- The black field hand accused of rape.
- An important symbol of innocence destroyed by evil.
- Is also a symbol of injustice served and prejudice within society.
Calpurnia –
- The Finch’s maid/cook is seen as disciplinarian, good, wise, loving, educated.
- She is the children’s bridge between the white world and her own black community.
Dill Harris –
- He is a young, confident boy with an active imagination.
- He becomes fascinated with Boo Radley.
- He represents the perspective of childhood innocence throughout the novel.
Ms. Maudie –
- She is seen as good, kind, nice, wise.
- She understands Jem and Scout and is their best adult friend.
Bob Ewell –
- He represents the dark side of the South he is seen as ignorance, in poverty, squalor (being dirty and unpleasant), and hate-filled racial prejudice.
Mayella Ewell –
- She is the unhappy, lonely, poor white daughter.
- The one who causes Tom Robinson Trial, the unfair and cruel reality between black and white.