To kill a mockingbird character notes. To Kill a Mockingbird: Atticus Finch 2022-12-26

To kill a mockingbird character notes Rating: 9,6/10 986 reviews

To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic novel by Harper Lee that explores themes of racism, prejudice, and moral growth through the eyes of its young protagonist, Jean Louise Finch, or "Scout." The novel is set in the 1930s in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama, and follows Scout as she navigates the complexities of growing up and learning about the world around her.

One of the main characters in the novel is Atticus Finch, Scout's father and a respected lawyer in Maycomb. Atticus is a moral and fair-minded man who is deeply committed to justice and equality. He is portrayed as a role model for Scout and her brother Jem, and teaches them valuable lessons about empathy and understanding others. Atticus is also a single father, and his relationship with his children is central to the novel.

Another important character in the novel is Boo Radley, a mysterious figure who lives next door to the Finches. Boo is a reclusive man who rarely leaves his house, and is rumored to be violent and dangerous by the children in the neighborhood. Despite these rumors, Scout and Jem come to understand that Boo is kind and gentle, and ultimately play a key role in protecting him from harm.

A third key character in the novel is Tom Robinson, a black man who is falsely accused of raping a white woman. Atticus is assigned to defend Tom in court, and he does so with integrity and determination, even though he knows that the deck is stacked against him. Tom's case serves as a catalyst for much of the conflict and tension in the novel, as it exposes the deep-seated racism and prejudice that exists in Maycomb.

Overall, the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird are richly developed and nuanced, and they each play a vital role in the novel's themes and story. Atticus, Boo, and Tom are all complex and multi-dimensional characters who challenge Scout's views and beliefs, and help her to grow and learn about the world around her. So, these are the character notes of To Kill a Mockingbird.

To Kill a Mockingbird: Atticus Finch

to kill a mockingbird character notes

Gertrude Farrow The "second most devout lady in Maycomb" belongs to the local Missionary Society. Judge Taylor The judge for Tom's trial. Harper Lee had been a childhood friend of Truman Capote, and she traveled with him to Kansas to assist Capote with research as he wrote his true crime masterpiece, In Cold Blood. Jem is depicted by the elder Jean-Louise as sensitive, intelligent, and fundamentally fair. Atticus Finch The father of Scout and Jem, Atticus is a lawyer and an extremely morally upright man who strives to deal with everyone fairly. She grew up at Finch's Landing and moved with Atticus to Maycomb.

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'To Kill a Mockingbird' Characters: Descriptions, Significance

to kill a mockingbird character notes

Lee briefly studied law, but she soon realized that she preferred writing. The town has developed a myth that he is an insane monster who wanders around at night peering into people's windows. When he agrees to defend Tom Robinson, a black man charged with raping a white woman, he exposes himself and his family to the anger of the white community. Scout had beaten up Walter on the playground at school, so Jem extended him an invitation to come eat. He is a doctor who, like Atticus, was schooled at home. Scout is a tomboy who would rather solve problems with her fists than with her head. Boo Radley A recluse who never emerges from his house.

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To Kill a Mockingbird: To Kill a Mockingbird Character List

to kill a mockingbird character notes

Scout is a "tomboy" who rejects traditional feminine roles and trappings. Jem Jeremy Finch Scout's older brother, who is nearly ten at the beginning of the story. As the story goes on and Scout grows older, she begins to understand more about the world around her, which by necessity makes her less certain about the morality of any particular action. A widower with a dry sense of humor, Atticus has instilled in his children his strong sense of morality and justice. Atticus is sometimes overly optimistic, but his unshakable hope in mankind and self-created role as the town 'do-gooder' sustain him. Zeebo The town garbage collector who is also Calpurnia's son.

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Calpurnia in To Kill a Mockingbird: Character, Traits & Quotes

to kill a mockingbird character notes

Yet she's subject to discrimination from numerous groups of people. Whereas early in the novel Scout views Calpurnia as a disciplinarian and killer of fun, by the end of the novel she views Cal as a figure of respect and admiration. The children like Uncle Jack, but he learns his lesson about children when he unfairly punishes Scout for fighting with her cousin, Francis. Miss Caroline Fisher New to teaching and to Maycomb and its ways, Miss Caroline is Scout's first grade teacher. Tom Robinson Tom Robinson is a Black man who supports his family by working as a field hand despite having a crippled left arm. Calpurnia is educated and intelligent, and has helped to raise the Finch children to be the same.

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To Kill a Mockingbird: Character List

to kill a mockingbird character notes

Take a few moments to brainstorm a list of words and phrases you would use to describe Cal. She has inherited her father's strong desire for justice and develops empathy for the downtrodden in the novel, even as she witnesses racism and injustice. He shows little intention of remarrying and seems comfortable being a single father. Despite being the accused, Tom has very little to do with the central conflict of the story—just like other members of the Black community in America at the time, he is largely powerless, and the conflict is fought between white people. He acts as Scout's protector and is injured when a revenge-seeker attempts to harm his sister. In 1960, Harper Lee published To Kill a Mockingbird. He doesn't retaliate when Bob Ewell spits in his face because he understands that he has wounded Ewell's pride — the only real possession this man has.

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To Kill a Mockingbird Characters

to kill a mockingbird character notes

Dill Charles Baker Harris A friend of the Finch children, who is a little older than Scout, quite short for his age, has an active imagination, and exhibits a strong sense of adventure. Our battles were epic and one-sided. Buy Study Guide Scout Jean Louise Finch The narrator and main character who begins her story at almost six years old. He knows before he begins that he's going to lose this case, but that doesn't stop him from giving Tom the strongest defense he possibly can. Lee's selection of a small, southern town for the setting enabled her to depict the blatant racism that existed under Jim Crow laws, which legalized racism and racial segregation. Miss Maudie Atkinson One of Maycomb's most open-minded citizens, Miss Maudie lives across the street from Jem and Scout.


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To Kill a Mockingbird Character Analysis

to kill a mockingbird character notes

Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side. Jem Jeremy Atticus Finch Scout's older brother who ages from 10 to 13 during the story. As a result of this technique, Scout is often remembered as a precociously intelligent child who understands the subtleties of events around her more than most children her age. Lesson Summary All right, let's take a brief moment or two to review what we've learned in this lesson about Nelle Harper Lee's famous novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, its characters, and its setting, which is simply where and when a story takes place. Meanwhile, the black community accuses Calpurnia of getting ahead of herself and turning her back on her own people. He lives down the road from the Ewells, and according to his testimony, he frequently helps Mayella with small chores that she usually has to do by herself while her father is away. Jem unknowingly assists her with her heroic attempt to conquer her morphine addiction, a fight that wins her Atticus's highest praises.

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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

to kill a mockingbird character notes

Heck Tate Maycomb County's trusty sheriff, who is ultimately an honest and upstanding man. The children hear stories about Boo that circulate the town, claiming that Boo was shut up in the house by his father when Boo got in trouble with some other teenage boys, and that Boo stabbed his father in the leg with a pair of scissors. Church who is upset when Scout and Jem attend services there. Lee moved to New York at the age of twenty-three to pursue a career in writing. Minor Characters Calpurnia Calpurnia is the Finch's cook, and she helps Atticus raise Scout and Jem. Scout Jean Louise Finch Narrator of the story.

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to kill a mockingbird character notes

Ideals of integrity are examined and depicted primarily through the character, Atticus Finch. He appoints Atticus to represent Tom. Other men in town would've sent a messenger and left it at that. Atticus agrees to take his case, even though he knows it is probably hopeless, if only to show the white community its own moral degeneracy. Alexandra is concerned with raising Atticus's children "properly," and thus appears during the summer of Tom's trial to stay with them. Living in Meridian, Mississippi, Dill spends every summer with his aunt, Miss Rachel Haverford.

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