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- To Kill a Mockingbird: the characters
To Kill a Mockingbird: the characters
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Lee shows Maycomb through a child's eyes, so we learn about adults as Scout does.
The Finches
Scout: tomboyish, curious and quick-tempered. She learns empathy and to see things from other people's points of view.
Jem: her older brother, who is deeply hurt by the verdict as he begins to understand injustice.
Atticus: a calm, fair-minded lawyer and single father who teaches his children empathy and courage.
Jem: her older brother, who is deeply hurt by the verdict as he begins to understand injustice.
Atticus: a calm, fair-minded lawyer and single father who teaches his children empathy and courage.
Victims and outsiders
Tom Robinson: a kind, hard-working Black man who is falsely accused.
Boo (Arthur) Radley: a recluse feared by the children, who turns out to be gentle and protective.
Both can be seen as 'mockingbirds': innocent beings harmed by others.
Boo (Arthur) Radley: a recluse feared by the children, who turns out to be gentle and protective.
Both can be seen as 'mockingbirds': innocent beings harmed by others.
Others
Bob Ewell: poor, violent and racist; he lies to cover his own abuse of Mayella.
Mayella Ewell: lonely and abused, she accuses Tom.
Calpurnia: the Finches' Black cook, who acts as a mother figure.
Miss Maudie: a wise, kind neighbour.
Mayella Ewell: lonely and abused, she accuses Tom.
Calpurnia: the Finches' Black cook, who acts as a mother figure.
Miss Maudie: a wise, kind neighbour.
Why can Boo Radley and Tom Robinson both be seen as 'mockingbirds'?
- In the novel, killing a mockingbird is a sin because it does no harm.
- Tom and Boo are innocent and kind.
- Both are harmed or threatened by the prejudice of others.
Answer: Both are innocent people who do no harm but suffer because of others' prejudice.
Scout: learns empathy. Jem: hurt by injustice. Atticus: moral, fair. Tom: innocent victim. Boo: misunderstood protector. Bob Ewell: violent racist. Mayella: lonely and abused. Calpurnia and Miss Maudie: guides.
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