Yeon Jae Cho
March 13th, 2013
Father or Scout and Jem, a lawyer of a small town of Maycomb. He is one of the
few townspeople who strongly believes in racial equality and justice. He agrees
to defend Tom Robinson, an African American man, in the court.
The narrator and the protagonist of the story. She is a tomboy, outspoken,
vivacious, and extremely ingenious. She progressively matures throughout the
story, learning how to control her anger and face the ugly prejudice that runs in
the town.
Scout's brother, 4 years older than her. He is stubborn, hates to admit his
defeats, and loves football. He reaches puberty in middle of the novel, declares
independence, but still constantly cares for Scout.
An African American housekeeper of Finch's. She is strict, placing an importance
on morals and disciplines. She is also like a mother to Scout, teaching her what
girls usually learn from their mother. She introduces the lives of African
Americans to the children by taking them to African American church.
Atticus's sister. She is fierce, with a steady devotion to her family. She calls
Atticus a shame in their family for defending Tom Robinson. However, she is
proud of the Finch family and its heritage, and teaches Scout how to be a lady.
Atticus's brother, a doctor who always jokes while mending Scout's wounds,
relieving her pain. He is understanding and considerate for most of the time, but
clashes with Scout when he misunderstands her intention of beating Francis up.
Unlike his brother, he prefers to keep the children under control.
Jem and Scout's friend, who stays in Maycomb with his aunt Miss Rachel each
summer. He is also Scout's sweetheart. With an aid with his vivid imaginations,
Scout and Jem make games involving Boo Radley.
The lawyer of Bob and Mayella Ewell in the court. He constantly harasses Tom
Robinson by calling him 'boy' and attempting to put him in a difficult situation.
An African American man who is accused for raping Mr. Ewell's daughter. His
left arm is shorter than his right, which Atticus uses in the court to prove that he
is innocent. He is an honest, considerate man who works diligently for Mr. Link
Deas, helps Mayella with her chores, and is devoted to religion.
A wicked, ignorant man who accuses Tom Robinson for raping his daughter.
However, it is proven in the court that he was the one who beat his own daughter
up.
The eldest of the Ewells, burdened with responsibilities for caring her father and
seven siblings. She is lonely with no friends, which made her fall to Tom Robinson, the
first one who helped her with her chores. However, she accuses Tom for raping to
cover up her shame.
A neighbor of Finches. She is Dill's aunt, and takes take for him every summer.
A neighbor of Finches, a friend of Jem and Scout. She is one of the few townspeople
who strongly believes in justice. When her house gets burned down, she seems to stay
cheerful and optimistic, but her grief is shown in the cuts of her hands.
A cranky old lady who lives near Finches. She is one of the people who supports racial
inequality. However, she shows courage by battling with her morphine addiction.
Neighbor of Finches, a recluse who never gets out of his house. He spurs the
imagination of Scout, Jem, and Dill, and mysteriously appears from time to time.
Older brother of Boo. Unlike his brother, he frequently makes appearances in the town.
Scout thinks he is similar to old Mr. Radley, who had passed away earlier. He fills the
knothole with cement, cutting the children's communication with a mysterious person,
who was leaving small presents for them in the knothole.
The sheriff of Maycomb. He is believed to be a good man, supporting justice.
An old judge who takes in the case of Tom Robinson. He is a good judge, not biased
like most other judges. He appoints Atticus to defend Tom for such reason.
A poor farmer who had joined in the lynch mob. However, influenced by Scout's
innocent nature, he tells the mob to back off.
The reverend of First Purchase African M.E. Church. Unlike other reverends, he uses
his pulpits to freely express his opinion on lapses of grace. He also collects money to
help Helen, Tom Robinson's wife.
The man who Tom Robinson works for. In the court, he shouts out that Tom is a
diligent, honest man, an action which forces him to get out of the courthouse.
A chatty, gossipy neighbor of Finches. She tells the children many gossips about Boo
Radley, influencing their vivid imaginations.
Dill Harris
p. 7
Dill was a curiosity... As he told us the old tale his blue eyes would lighten and darken; his laugh was
sudden and happy...
p.8
The Radley place fascinated Dill. In spite of our warnings and explanations it drew him as he moon
draws water.
p. 12
The more we told Dill about the Radleys, the more he wanted to know, the longer he would stand
hugging the light pole on the corner, the more he would wonder.
p. 13
But Dill got him the third day, when he told Jem the folks in Meridian certainly weren't as afraid as the
folks in Maycomb.
Provincial: of or concerning a province of a country of an empire.
This relates to the novel because the novel continuously depicts the old, small town of Maycomb. From Scout's narrations
and various events that occur throughout the story, the readers gets broad information about this town.
Scout lively depicts how her ancestor Simon Finch settled in Maycomb, and how her family history began in the town.
Boo Radley is a recluse who never, or seldom comes out from his house. The neighbors gossip and spread false about him,
like he is mentally challenged, or how he is locked in the basement prison.
Walter Cunningham comes from a very poor family. He cannot bring lunch to school, because his family has no money.
Scout explains to Miss Caroline that Walter is one of the "Cunninghams", and that's why he doesn't bring lunch to school.
This statement shows how poor ones are treated differently in Maycomb.
Racial intolerance is not described very much in chapters 1-2. However, it is clear that it exists, when Scout mentions that
"the court did not want Boo Radley to be locked in basement prison with Negro's, no matter how crazy he is". This shows
how the African Americans were locked in prisons and white men were not, even if they were "crazy".
The children first make a snowman out of
The fire licks up Miss Maudie's house and her
mud, then coat it with thin layers of snow.
little patch of garden. Only few furniture could be
saved.
The children coat the 'snowman' made out of
mud with sheets of snow, saying that they have
The fire in Miss Maudie's house represents a new
start. It is the turning point of the story, where the
never heard of 'nigger snowman'. This symbolizes good childhood of the Finch children is gone and the ugly, prejudiced
the racial discrimination deeply rooted in
adults' world rules over.
people's heart.
Scout and Jem are quite static, the snowman
The characters make dramatic responses to the fire.
doesn't seem to have brought so much
Scout is startled when she is told that Boo Radley wrapped
differences for them. However, there is a
her up with his blanket. Miss Maudie stays calm and smiles,
little bit of dynamic response from Jem when
but works on a new patch of garden, ruining her hands with
Atticus compliments his work.
cuts and gashes- which shows how sad and pained
she actually is.