To Kill a Mockingbird Characters
What is Scout's real name?
Jean Louise Finch
In what town does To Kill a Mockingbird take place?
Maycomb, Alabama.
What do Scout, Jem, and Dill do in the summers?
They play games and try to get Boo Radley to come out.
What does Atticus mean when he says, “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird”?
Mockingbirds represent innocence and do no harm, so it’s wrong to hurt them.
In Chapter 2, Scout says about Maycomb: “Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it.” How does this description help set the tone of the novel and establish the social environment of the town?
It sets a slow, rigid, and outdated atmosphere, reflecting Maycomb’s resistance to change, particularly regarding racial and social issues.
What is Atticus Finch's occupation?
Who is the man he defends?
Lawyer
Tom Robinson
During what historical period is the novel set?
During the Great Depression.
What unusual fact do we learn about the Radley family?
They rarely leave their house and are feared by the town.
Why does Atticus emphasize empathy in his parenting?
He wants Scout and Jem to understand that people’s actions often stem from their circumstances.
In Chapter 4, after finding gifts in the Radley tree, Jem says, “Don’t you cry, now, Scout… don’t cry.” when the knothole is sealed. Why does Jem react this way, and what does this moment reveal about his character development?
Jem realizes that Boo Radley was reaching out to them and that Nathan Radley is cutting off this connection. This moment marks Jem’s growing maturity and deeper understanding of the injustices around him.
What are the names of the Finch children
Who is narrator that is retelling the story?
Jem and Scout
Scout
Why is it significant that Atticus is defending Tom Robinson?
Because he is a Black man, and racial prejudice is strong in the town.
What lesson does Atticus try to teach Scout after her rough first day at school?
To understand people by seeing things from their point of view.
How does the fire at Miss Maudie’s house serve as a turning point in the novel?
It shows the town’s ability to come together and reveals Boo Radley’s quiet kindness when he places a blanket around Scout.
In Chapter 11, Atticus tells Jem, “Courage is not a man with a gun in his hand. It’s knowing you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” How does this idea apply to both Mrs. Dubose and Atticus himself?
Mrs. Dubose shows courage by fighting her addiction, even though she knows it will be difficult. Atticus also embodies this idea by defending Tom Robinson, despite knowing the town’s racial prejudices make winning nearly impossible.
What is the name of the mysterious character that is never seen?
Arthur or Boo Radley
What does the Radley house symbolize in the first part of the novel?
Fear, mystery, and societal isolation.
Why does Uncle Jack get upset with Scout during Christmas, and how does Atticus intervene?
Scout uses bad language and fights with Francis. Uncle Jack disciplines her but later realizes he should have listened to her side of the story first, as Atticus advises.
How does Scout’s changing perception of Boo Radley reflect the novel’s theme of growing up?
At first, she sees Boo as a scary figure based on town gossip, but as she matures, she realizes he is kind and misunderstood, illustrating her growth in empathy and understanding.
In Chapter 5, Miss Maudie says, “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets.” What does she mean by this, and why is it important in shaping how Scout and Jem view their father?
Miss Maudie means that Atticus is always honest and principled, no matter the situation. This consistency helps Scout and Jem respect him and learn about integrity and moral courage.
How does Miss Maudie serve as a positive role model for Scout?
She encourages Scout to be herself, teaches her about kindness and respect, and supports Atticus’s values.
How does Harper Lee use Maycomb’s setting to establish themes of racism and social class?
She portrays Maycomb as a slow-moving, judgmental town where racial and social divisions are deeply ingrained, setting the stage for conflicts in the novel.
Why does Jem return to the Radley yard to retrieve his pants, and what does he discover when he goes back?
Jem doesn’t want to disappoint Atticus by getting caught in a lie. When he returns, he finds the pants neatly folded and stitched up, suggesting that Boo Radley was watching over them.
How does Harper Lee use the children’s fear of Boo Radley to comment on prejudice?
The children’s misconceptions mirror the town’s racial prejudices—both are based on ignorance rather than truth.
In Chapter 11, after reading to Mrs. Dubose, Jem receives a single white camellia from her. What does the camellia symbolize, and how does it relate to Jem’s growth and the novel’s themes of understanding and forgiveness?
The camellia symbolizes forgiveness and the complexity of human nature. Though Mrs. Dubose was harsh, she wanted Jem to learn a lesson about strength. This moment helps Jem grow in understanding and maturity.