To Kill A Mockingbird is a book that employs many lessons in the story, and also uses multiple characters in the book to represent different ideas. Harper Lee uses characters such as Scout Finch, Atticus Finch, and Mayella Ewell to represent these ideas in the book. First of all, Scout represents determination through her forwardness and curiosity. Secondly, Atticus represents rationalism through his patience and kindness with others. Finally, Mayella represents foolishness through her hatred and overreactions. Overall, the use of these characters and their roles convey the story of To Kill A Mockingbird in an interesting and clear way.
Jean Louise -or Scout- is a representation of determination in the book. This is shown through her
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His patience, especially with Scout and Jem, is outstanding because of how well he handles tough situations with them. He has never raised his voice at them, and never gives them unreasonable punishments. He always uses his words, and uses them to resolve problems instead of yelling and ranting. Even with people who were very bitter, like Ms. Dubose, Atticus always spoke to her in a calm tone, and never started an argument with her. Atticus’ patience makes him very modest, and it is a big aspect of his rationalism.Furthermore, Atticus also demonstrates his rationalism through his kindness. He is kind towards everyone he encounters, whether they show kindness in return or not. He took the time to protect Tom Robinson at his jail so nobody would attack him at night, even though he didn’t have to. He was kind to the unkind, like Ms. Dubose. She always had something mean to say, but Atticus always greeted her kindly, as much as she hated him and his children. “When the three of us came to her house, Atticus would sweep off his hat, wave gallantly to her and say, “Good evening Ms. Dubose! You look like a picture this evening.”” (Lee 133). Overall, Atticus’ benevolent personality creates the idea of rationalism in his
Another character in the book that the Mockingbird represents is Atticus Finch. Atticus is the father of the main character, Scout Finch. Atticus is the man that decides he would risk his entire reputation to defend Tom Robinson. Atticus knows that he would not be able to win the trial, but he is so kind-hearted that he goes on to defend this trial. On page 194, Lee writes “‘You’ve got everything to lose from this, Atticus.
Everyone has their imperfections. The weaknesses some people bear seem worse than ones that others struggle with. The author Harper Lee, in her novel To Kill a Mockingbird, shows those imperfections through the characters that she has built her novel around. Many of these characters, though, also have positive characteristics, keeping them balanced. One character, though, does not identify with such balance. Mayella Ewell is not the average citizen of Maycomb county, mainly because of her forlornness, her ability to be secretive, and her cowardliness, resulting in great, yet miserable, consequences.
Matt Berman from Common Sense Media commented, “This richly textured novel, woven from the strands of small-town life, lets readers walk in the shoes of one fully realized character after another.” In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee lets the readers look into the perspectives and identities of some of the characters which makes the story seem very life-like. Lee’s ability to write in such a way helps people distinguish the characters’ admirable and dislikable qualities portrayed through their actions. Young six year old Scout contains the likable qualities of being courageous and mature for her age. Her father, Atticus Finch, who was at the time dealing with the Tom Robinson case, kept the admirable aspect of being sympathetic and strong
He never lets anyone upset him or change his opinion on things. Like when Bob Ewell spit on Atticus, he didn’t get mad, he almost defended Bob for his actions. In the novel he tries to imprint this trait on Scout, like when he tells her “you never really know a person until you consider things from his point of view- until you climb into their skin and walk around in it,” page 30 in chapter 3. He also tells Scout “you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anyone says to you, don’t let ‘em get your goat,” on page 76 in chapter 10. I think that’s probably the best example in the novel of Atticus being level headed because it’s hard for most people to just let people say what they want to without letting it affect
In Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird, the portrayl of friendship and racial inequality is expressed throughout this tale. They are based on observations that Harper Lee experienced firsthand. The main themes of this novel is innocence and the racial injustices of the south. The mockingbird represents an innocent being and to kill a mockingbird shows injustice cruelty. Scout and Jem’s childhood is innocent and they have never seen evil in the world until they start seeing the injustices for themselves since their father is reprsenting a black man (To) and they see how the townspeople treat them for doing so. Atticus Finch embodies the ethical voice of To Kill a Mockingbird. He has experienced and understands the evil that the world beholds
One strong character within To Kill A Mockingbird is Atticus Finch, a lawyer and father in Maycomb. He fights against racism in the
The book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has been a must read for so many years due to the story of the common lifestyles in Maycomb, Alabama told by Scout Finch an eight year old daughter of a well-known lawyer, Atticus Finch. Atticus was not only known for his practice, he was also well respected in his community because of his morals, and dedication to help his people. The people of Maycomb have made a place in the readers hearts because of the difficult situations there have faced. The rape trial against Tom Robinson has made an impact on Maycomb no one could deny. The classic book has become massively influential because it has taught the readers how to empathize with characters they don't agree with, have courage to do the right
Harper Lee has a number of characters that contribute to the novel and violent scenes in To Kill a Mockingbird, some that have meaning and some that do not. Some characters that appear often and some that have a minimal role in being seen in the novel, but the characters that do not appear often seem to have the biggest impact on the novel. There are three characters that are looked down on by society around them, one because of race and two because of their morals. Society disregarded these people simply because they were afraid that they could be like them and the unknown. Lee uses violence and alienation to help depict the things that are wrong within the small society.
In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus resembles a Mockingbird. A character in the book named Miss Maudie said, “Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people’s gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Atticus is very well kept. He keeps to himself, stays out of people's way, and no matter what he sticks to his gut feeling and stands up for what he knows is right. He also loves and cares for his family regardless of what people say.
Scout Finch is a young girl that is interested in many situations throughout the town that are far too mature for her understanding. However, Calpurnia and Atticus still try to explain situations and circumstances on a childhood level for her to understand. Lee uses these examples to show Scout’s character, but to also show the racism and tragedy that occurs in her hometown. Dare in the periodical states, “Her innocence is a crucial aspect of the narration, highlighting the senseless racism and class divisions that rend Maycomb” (96). Scout’s innocent childhood point of view exemplifies Harper Lee’s idea of prejudice actions that occurs in Maycomb.
In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, the author Harper Lee writes about her life when she was 6-year-old. She composes the novel in first person narrative which gives Lee a lot of complexities when she tells about the people in Maycomb informed through the eyes of Scout Finch, you learn about her father Atticus Finch, an attorney who desperately endeavors to prove the innocence of a black man unfairly incriminated of rape; and about Boo Radley, a mysterious neighbor who saves Scout and her brother Jem from being killed. The major characters in the novel are Atticus Finch (Scout’s father), Scout Finch, Dill Harris (Scout’s friend), Boo Radley (Mysterious neighbor), Maudie Atkinson (Neighbor), Tom Robinson (Black accused of rape), Jem Finch (Scout’s brother), Mayella Violet Ewell (Women that claims she has been raped), Calpurnia (Scout’s caretaker and maid), Robert Ewell (Mayella’s dad) and Alexandra Hancock (Atticus’s sister). A protagonist is the leading character or one of the major characters in a drama, movie, novel, or other fictional text. Protagonist in the novel is Jem and Scout because the whole story revolves around them.
Minor characters are often more important than they initially seem, and can be just as engaging and complicated as major characters. Furthermore, protagonists are isolated without the people that surround and influence them subliminally. This applies to the intriguing minor characters one has the privilege of discovering in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Specifically, Lee uses minor characters to effectively disprove stereotypes and establishing setting. Not only do they influence the direction of the plot, but also Scout and her development as a character. Lee carefully selects minor characters to send important messages and reinforce themes by using characters as symbols. Fundamentally, the minor characters in “To Kill a
The Mockingbird has a very deep and powerful meaning in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird. It represents peacefulness, innocence and kindness which is portrayed through the characters of Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. The mockingbird's influence can also be applied to the relationships between humans. The Mockingbird is a powerful symbol that echoes a strong meaning throughout the novel.
Basic Situation: The main characters for To Kill A Mockingbird are Jean Louise ‘Scout’ Finch, Jem Finch, Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, Robert Ewell, Mayella Violet Ewell, Dill Harris, and Tom Robinson.
One of the hallmarks of memorable literature is the creation of interesting, believable characters. This is a reason why Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” is still remembered to this day. Harper Lee’s characters demonstrate realism through their actions and words, and I believe Atticus Finch is a fine example of such. There are many ways to describe Scout, due to the characterization displayed of her by Harper Lee.