To Kill A Mockingbird Character Analysis

All of Scout’s family claimed to be negatively affected by Atticus standing up for a black man, Atticus disagreed because he believed that all races were equal. To show how unfair discrimination and segregation against African Americans were, and how nothing but a permanent law could stop it. Cousin Francis says “Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover, it certainly does mortify the rest of the family… he’s ruinin’ the family”(Lee 94). Francis says this to Scout when he is talking about Atticus defending an African American in a case he has basically already lost. If Tom Robinson was white Atticus would not be given as much hate as he has right now.

Scout’s character development leads her to have a conversation about why her father, Atticus, is a “nigger-lover” (Lee 144). In the trial scenes of the book, Atticus fought hard to prove Tom Robinson guilty even though he knew he would lose. Although his direct goal was to help an innocent black man, he also wanted to meet his expectation-- love everyone, even if the society doesn't agree. When Scout clarifies, making sure her father was not a nigger-lover, he replies, “I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody. It's never an insult to be called what somebody else thinks is a bad name. It just shows how poor that person is” (Lee 144). Here, Harper Lee uses Atticus to express one of her central messages. That being, even though others may think that you're wrong, if you do what is considered moral and it is something that you believe in, there will still be those in society that are against you and that is ok. According to the author and her message, it is important to have courage and to express your beliefs even though you will not be favored by

Scout asks Atticus, “Atticus, are we going to win it?’ ‘No honey.’ ‘Then, why---’ ‘Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win,’ Atticus said” (74). This was a conversation between Scout and Atticus, and Scout asks Atticus if he thought they would win. Atticus explains the prejudice of that time, because he knew they wouldn’t win, and one could tell that Atticus really wants to win, but he knew that it would never happen during this time period. Atticus states, “There’s nothing more sickening to me than a low-grade white who’ll take advantage of a negro’s ignorance. Don't fool yourselves--it’s all adding up and one of these days we’re going to pay the bill for it”(204). Atticus explains that he does not approve of Mr. Ewell accusing Tom Robinson of raping Mayella Ewell. Atticus feels empathy towards Tom Robinson because he knows that Tom did not commit the rape, and deserves a chance to receive a proper defense. Atticus knows that the ideas of that time was morally wrong, and it meant Tom would be found guilty, but he still deserves a chance to tell the truth. This trial makes many people rethink their beliefs, since they know that it’s wrong to convict Tom, but they feel

“To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee emphasises the power of racial segregation and prejudice towards the black people which was predominant during the Depression era. Set in Maycomb County, an imaginary distinct in Southern Alabama, the novel describes the story of an attorney, Atticus Finch and his courage and determination to defend an innocent black man. Lee’s use of character development and detailed depictions have allowed the reader to view Atticus as heroic through his righteous and just actions. These actions are demonstrated through elements that construct him as the protagonist, portraying him as an embodiment of courage, wisdom and dignity. These elements are seen in his character, behaviour, attitudes and beliefs.

Scout has a lot of trouble when she finds out Atticus has accepted the case of Tom Robinson, when she went to school Cecil Jacobs was calling Atticus in his own words “A nigger lover”, this upset Scout and she started a fight. Jem had to break then up then explain why she could not do get into fights. After school Scout went up to Atticus, and asked what a “nigger lover” is, Atticus asked why and Scout told him, He then said he had been called loads of other names and it didn’t faze him. Scout had a lot of trouble getting used to people saying her father Atticus was “A nigger lover” as she really did not like it. Scout then asked a question for Atticus “You aren’t really a nigger-lover, then are you...” “I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody...I’m hard put, sometimes-baby, it’s never and insult to be called what somebody think is a bad name. It just shows how you how poor that person is, it doesn’t hurt you” – Scout and Atticus. Pg

Atticus has been assigned to defend an African-American, named Tom Robinson. The case takes place during the Great Depression, the time of segregation. Tom was been accused of raping a white teenage woman, named Mayella Ewell. Tom Robinson was on his way home from work, when Mayella had asked him if he could help her with something, so he did. Later that night Mayella's father, Bob Ewell came home and claimed that he saw Tom rapping Mayella. Atticus has been fighting for Tom Robinson from the beginning, he feels that no matter what he says the jury will turn their backs on him. Before the jury leaves the courtroom to vote, Atticus tells the jury and the courtroom what they all know is true. ‘“Which, gentlemen, we know is in itself a lie as black as Tom Robinson’s skin, a lie I do not have to point out to you. You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around---black or white. But this is the truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. There is no person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man who has never looked upon a woman without desire,”’(Lee 204). This quote is not an example of how empathy helps one overcome prejudice. As you can see, Bob Ewell lied in order to protect his daughter, Mayella, because at this time society would not accept the fact that Mayella kissed Tom. Since the Ewells are white and Tom is African-American, there was little chance of Atticus winning the case. Instead of Atticus being relinquished by the court case, he decides to tell the people of Maycomb what they all know is the truth. However, prejudice dictated the minds of the jury and they still came back with a guilty verdict for Tom Robinson. The

In the classic To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, a book set in the 1940’s during the Great Depression, Atticus Finch serves as the core of the novel by displaying a character of stability, humility, compassion, and high moral standards as he defends an innocent black man being prosecuted for a rape he did not commit because of the color of his skin.

“The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience,” (Lee 120). This quote from To Kill a Mockingbird is a good representation of the book. The book is set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. Jean Louise (Scout) Finch, narrates the story of herself and her family facing the racial prejudices of the time. When her father Atticus, defends an innocent black man in a rape trial, Maycomb turns on Scout's family. Atticus, Scout, and her brother Jem stand up for what they believe in even if their neighbors disagree. By analyzing Harper Lee’s use of symbolism and tone, the reader can learn that courage isn’t physical strength, you gain morals as you grow, and prejudice kills innocence.

Atticus displays loyalty in his commitment to the community, his legal practice, and his children. Atticus was prominent community leader who attempted to help poor community members obtain legal services, without seeing the color of their skin. He wants to teach his community how to seek assistance through the law rather through violence. Atticus embodies loyalty to his legal practice and goes the extra mile to defend Tom Robinson in every way he can. He seeks out witnesses and talks to each person with passion for his client’s cause. He tells Scout—his daughter—that “you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” In the diligence and passion he uses to defend Tom, Atticus lives what he preaches to his daughter.

In her coming-of-age novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, portrays the main character Jean Louise “Scout” Finch to reveal to the causes and effects of lies in the small southern town, Maycomb County. In Maycomb County, Alabama, the civilians of the town make “telling lies” a helpful thing to do. Most of the people who live in the town come up with lies to protect themselves and other, affecting the lives of innocents. This harmful and selfish act harms the town and its citizens in many ways. Through the use of characterization, rising actions, and falling actions, Lee portrays gossip spreading and telling lies have a big impact on the town, Maycomb.

In Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, there are enormous conflicts within the deep south. Set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, Harper Lee tells the story of characters’ experiences with racism and injustice, largely stemming from false charges of rape by a poor white woman against an innocent black man named Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson’s attorney is Atticus Finch, a single father of two children, Jem and Scout, who appears as a moral compass for a town plagued by inequality. There are many strong, racially charged feelings and horrible consequences surrounding the case and those around it. Racism is a dangerous problem throughout Maycomb County in ‘To Kill Mockingbird’. Some effects of racism in the story would be Tom Robinson, Calpurnia, The Church, Segregation, and the Finches.

“There are some men in this world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs” (pg. 288). When aunt Alexandra defends her brother for the first time in the novel, she talks about the relationship Atticus has with the town. He does the right thing, it is what they want to do, but they are afraid to. By standing up for what is right despite them knowing they lost from the minute the case is ever brought to court. It is almost guaranteed they will lose, however they sprint headfirst into the situation undeterred by the effect it will have on their

“Feed your child ideas of peace, harmony and compassion but at the same time give them courage to defend their identity and dignity.” A quote written by Abhijit Naskar in a study of child psychology. Children are molded by the milieu they are raised in, as apparent throughout the story of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Countless times we are exposed to children who are raised in different environments, from the Finchs to Ewells to even the Cunninghams. While we follow Scout, a 6 year old girl, and Jem, a 10 year old boy, through the story, we get to see their characters’ personalities evolve and change due to when and where they grew up at. We also get to experience how they interact and compare with each other as we progress. {}{}{}

"'Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy...That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.'" (119) Reading the beginning of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, one would assume there is no connection with the title to the storyline. After delving deeper into the novel the connection becomes evident. The concept of the mockingbird is introduced when Scout is given a gun for Christmas, she is then told by her father that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Scout dismisses this fact until it becomes relevant again, when someone in her life is compared to mockingbird after a life altering experience.

Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird details the life of a typical white American family during the era of the Great Depression. Although each of the family members is portrayed in a detailed manner throughout the novel, Jean Louise Finch is the main character, as well as the narrator for the majority of the novel. The narration of “Scout” works through two points of view: The view of an independent six year old girl, and simultaneously, the view of a mature woman who is recapping some moments of her earlier childhood. Lee does a superior job in combining the two very unique voices, and forming what came to be a well known novel throughout the United States. The mature adult voice narrating the story To Kill A Mockingbird not only informs readers of the views of the young Scout, but also gives the mature outlook on the events in which the child could not see.