Nelle Harper Lees

To Kill a Mockingbird
-AnalysisLawyers, I suppose, were children once.
Charles Lamb

Table of Contents
page

Title Page

Table of Contents

ii

Introduction
1
List of Characters

Story Summary

Critical Analysis
Epigraph
Bird Symbolism
Coexistence of Good and Evil
8
Importance of Moral Education
9
Existence of Social Inequality
10
In the 21st Century
10

7
7

Introduction
Reading To Kill a Mockingbird was quite an experience on my part. I
myself consider it a classic American literature in the 20 th century and events
that takes place in the novel gives the reader an opportunity into looking
onto the writers depiction of childhood innocence, its scathing moral
condemnation of racial prejudice, and its affirmation that human goodness
can withstand the assault of evil.
The author Harper Lee uses memorable characters to explore civil
rights and racism in the segregated Southern United States of the 1930s.
Told through the eyes of Scout Finch, you learn about her father Atticus Finch,
an attorney who hopelessly strives to prove the innocence of a black man
unjustly accused of rape; and about Boo Radley, a mysterious neighbor who
saves Scout and her brother Jem from being killed.
A good part of this story's brilliance lies in the fact that it's told from a
child's point-of-view. Through Scout's eyes, the author is able to present the
story objectively. By having an innocent little girl make racial remarks and
regard people of color in a way consistent with the community, the author
provides an objective view of the situation. As a child, Scout can make
observations that an adult would avoid or sugarcoat. Other readers, too, are
likely to be forgiving of a child's perception, whereas they would find an adult
who makes these remarks offensive.
To Kill a Mockingbird can also be read as a coming-of-age story
featuring a young girl growing up in the South and experiencing moral
awakenings; it is also Jem's (Scouts older brother) and Dill's (childhood
friend) although we mostly we hear about Scout. Over the course of the

novel Scout learns to act in a more adult way, even a more ladylike way, and
to see the people around her as actual human beings. And the novel is also
about growing up more generally, asking an important question: Is it possible
to become an adult, to join an adult community, and still keep a child's
sensitivity to injustice?

List of Characters
Scout (Jean Louise Narrator of the story. The story takes place from the
Finch) time Scout is aged 6 to 9, but she tells the story as an
adult. Scout is a tomboy who would rather solve
problems with her fists than with her head. Throughout
the course of the book, Scout comes to a new
understanding of human nature, societal expectations,
and her own place in the world.
Atticus Finch Maycomb attorney and state legislative representative
who is assigned to represent Tom Robinson. A widower,
Atticus is a single parent to two children: Jem and Scout.
Jem (Jeremy Atticus Scout's older brother who ages from 10 to 13 during the
Finch) story. He is Scout's protector and one of her best
friends. As part of reaching young adulthood, Jem deals
with many difficult issues throughout the story.
Aunt Alexandra Aunt Alexandra lives at Finch's Landing, the Finch family
homestead, but she moves in with Atticus and the
children during Tom Robinson's trial. She is very
concerned that Scout has a feminine influence to
emulate.
Francis Hancock Aunt Alexandra's grandson. He taunts Scout about
Atticus, getting her in trouble.
Uncle Jack Finch Atticus and Aunt Alexandra's bachelor brother who
comes to visit every Christmas. He is a doctor who, like
Atticus, was schooled at home.

Calpurnia The Finchs' African American housekeeper. She grew up

at Finch's Landing and moved with Atticus to Maycomb.
She is the closest thing to a mother that Scout and Jem
have. One of the few Negroes in town who can read and
write, she teaches Scout to write.
Boo Radley (Mr. The mysterious neighbor who piques the children's
Arthur Radley) interest. They've never seen him and make a game of
trying to get him to come outside.
Zeebo The town garbage collector who is also Calpurnia's son.
He's one of four people who can read at the First
Purchase African M.E. Church.
Nathan Radley Boo Radley's brother who comes back to live with the
family when Mr. Radley dies.
Mr. and Mrs. Radley Boo and Nathan Radley's parents.
Dill (Charles Baker Jem and Scout's neighborhood friend. Living in Meridian,
Harris) Mississippi, Dill spends every summer with his aunt,
Miss Rachel Haverford.
Miss Rachel Dill's aunt who lives next door to the Finches.
Haverford
Miss Maudie Atkinson One of Maycomb's most open-minded citizens, Miss
Maudie lives across the street from Jem and Scout. An
avid gardener, she often spends time talking with the
children especially Scout, helping them to better
understand Atticus and their community.
Miss Stephanie The neighborhood gossip.
Crawford
Mrs. Henry Lafayette A grouchy, vile, elderly woman who teaches Jem and
Dubose Scout a great lesson in bravery.
Mrs. Grace A devout Methodist, Mrs. Merriweather writes the
Merriweather Halloween pageant.
Mrs. Gertrude Farrow The "second most devout lady in Maycomb" belongs to
the local Missionary Society.

Tom Robinson Black man who is accused of raping and beating

Mayella Ewell.
Helen Robinson Tom Robinson's wife.
Link Deas Tom and Helen Robinson's employer. He makes sure
that Helen can pass safely by the Ewells' after Tom is
arrested.
Bob Ewell The Ewell patriarch, Bob Ewell spends his welfare
checks on alcohol. He claims to have witnessed Tom
attacking Mayella.
Mayella Violet Ewell Tom's 19-year-old accuser.
Burris Ewell One of Bob Ewell's children. He attends school only one
day a year.
Reverend Skyes The pastor at First Purchase African M.E. Church. He
helps Jem and Scout understand Tom's trial and finds
seats for them in the "colored balcony."
Judge John Taylor The judge at Tom's trial. He appoints Atticus to
represent Tom.
Mr. Horace Gilmer The state attorney representing the Ewells.
Sheriff Heck Tate Maycomb's sheriff who accompanies Atticus to kill the
mad dog and who delivers the news about Bob Ewell.
Mr. Braxton Bragg The owner, editor, and printer of The Maycomb Tribune.
Underwood Although he openly dislikes blacks, he defends Tom's
right to a fair trial.
Dolphus Raymond Father to several biracial children, Mr. Raymond lives on
the outskirts of town. When he comes into Maycomb, he
pretends to be drunk.
Walter Cunningham, One of the men who comes to kill Tom Robinson, he's
Sr. also one of Atticus' clients. After speaking with Scout,
he calls off the mob.

Walter Cunningham, One of Scout's classmates. Jem invites him to have

Jr. lunch with them after Scout approaches Walter on the
playground.
Miss Caroline Fisher New to teaching and to Maycomb and its ways, Miss
Caroline is Scout's first grade teacher.
Cecil Jacobs A schoolmate of the Finch children, he scares Jem and
Scout on the way to the Halloween pageant.
Little Chuck Little One of Scout's classmates who stands up to Burris Ewell
in defense of Miss Caroline.
Miss Gates Scout's second grade teacher.
Lula A parishioner at First Purchase African M.E. Church who
is upset when Scout and Jem attend services there.
Eula May The local telephone operator.
Mr. Avery A boarder at the house across from Mrs. Dubose's.

Story Summary
To Kill a Mockingbird is primarily a novel about growing up under
extraordinary circumstances in the 1930s in the Southern United States. The
story covers a span of three years, during which the main characters
undergo significant changes. Scout Finch lives with her brother Jem and their
father Atticus in the fictitious town of Maycomb, Alabama. Maycomb is a
small, close-knit town, and every family has its social station depending on
where they live, who their parents are, and how long their ancestors have
lived in Maycomb.

A widower, Atticus raises his children by himself, with the help of kindly
neighbors and a black housekeeper named Calpurnia. Scout and Jem almost
instinctively understand the complexities of their neighborhood and town.
The only neighbor who puzzles them is the mysterious Arthur Radley,
nicknamed Boo, who never comes outside. When Dill, another neighbor's
nephew, starts spending summers in Maycomb, the three children begin an
obsessive and sometimes perilous quest to lure Boo outside.
Scout is a tomboy who prefers the company of boys and generally
solves her differences with her fists. She tries to make sense of a world that
demands that she act like a lady, a brother who criticizes her for acting like a
girl, and a father who accepts her just as she is. Scout hates school, gaining
her most valuable education on her own street and from her father.
Not quite midway through the story, Scout and Jem discover that their
father is going to represent a black man named Tom Robinson, who is
accused of raping and beating a white woman. Suddenly, Scout and Jem
have to tolerate a barrage of racial slurs and insults because of Atticus' role
in the trial. During this time, Scout has a very difficult time restraining from
physically fighting with other children, a tendency that gets her in trouble
with her Aunt Alexandra and Uncle Jack. Even Jem, the older and more
levelheaded of the two, loses his temper a few times. After responding to a
neighbor's (Mrs. Dubose) verbal attack by destroying her plants, Jem is
sentenced to read to her every day after school for one month. Ultimately,
Scout and Jem learn a powerful lesson about bravery from this woman. As
the trial draws nearer, Aunt Alexandra comes to live with them under the
guise of providing a feminine influence for Scout.
During the novel's last summer, Tom is tried and convicted even
though Atticus proves that Tom could not have possibly committed the crime
of which he is accused. In the process of presenting Tom's case, Atticus
inadvertently insults and offends Bob Ewell, a nasty, lazy drunkard whose

daughter is Tom's accuser. In spite of Tom's conviction, Ewell vows revenge

on Atticus and the judge for sully his already tarnished name. All three
children are bewildered by the jury's decision to convict; Atticus tries to
explain why the jury's decision was in many ways a foregone conclusion.
Shortly after the trial, Scout attends one of her aunt's Missionary
Society meetings. Atticus interrupts the meeting to report that Tom Robinson
had been killed in an escape attempt. Scout learns valuable lessons about
achieving the ideal of womanhood and carrying on in the face of adversity
that day.
Things slowly return to normal in Maycomb, and Scout and Jem realize
that Boo Radley is no longer an all-consuming curiosity. The story appears to
be winding down, but then Bob Ewell starts making good on his threats of
revenge. Scout is in the Halloween pageant at school, playing the part of a
ham. With Atticus and Aunt Alexandra both too tired to attend, Jem agrees to
take Scout to the school. After embarrassing herself on-stage, Scout elects to
leave her ham costume on for the walk home with Jem.
On the way home, the children hear odd noises, but convince
themselves that the noises are coming from another friend who scared them
on their way to school that evening. Suddenly, a scuffle occurs. Scout really
can't see outside of her costume, but she hears Jem being pushed away, and
she feels powerful arms squeezing her costume's chicken wire against her
skin. During this attack, Jem badly breaks his arm. Scout gets just enough of
a glimpse out of her costume to see a stranger carrying Jem back to their
house.
The sheriff arrives at the Finch house to announce that Bob Ewell has
been found dead under the tree where the children were attacked, having
fallen on his own knife. By this time, Scout realizes that the stranger is none
other than Boo Radley, and that Boo is actually responsible for killing Ewell,
thus saving her and Jem's lives. In spite of Atticus' insistence to the contrary,

the sheriff refuses to press charges against Boo. Scout agrees with this
decision and explains her understanding to her father. Boo sees Jem one
more time and then asks Scout to take him home, but rather than escort him
home as though he were a child, she has Boo escort her to his house as a
gentleman would.
With Boo safely home, Scout returns to Jem's room where Atticus is
waiting. He reads her to sleep and then waits by Jem's bedside for his son to
wake up.

Epigraph
Lee begins To Kill a Mockingbird with an epigraph by Charles Lamb:
"Lawyers, I suppose, were children once." That she chose this epigraph is
interesting on several levels.
After reviewing the book, I believe it pertains to how Atticus knows that
the charges against Tom are baseless, but Atticus knows the harshness of the
world and how things can be unfair. He has no hope in Tom's case. Jem and
Scout on the other hand know that Tom is innocent, and their innocence
leads them to believe that justice will prevail. Atticus knows better. I think
the quote means that the "lawyer" used to have hope and innocence that
children have. He used to believe that justice and fair play would prevail, but
the harshness of the world has changed his views dramatically. It is a
comment that he once shared Jem and Scout's naivet, but he no longer
remembers when his innocence of mind was lost.

Bird Symbolism
The title of To Kill a Mockingbird has very little literal connection to the
plot, but it carries a great deal of symbolic weight in the book. The

mockingbird represents innocence.

Like hunters who kill mockingbirds for

sport, people kill innocence, or other people who are innocent, without
thinking about what they are doing.

Atticus stands firm in his defense of

innocence and urges his children not to shoot mockingbirds both literally and
figuratively. The mockingbird motif arises numerous times during To Kill a
Mockingbird: When Atticus gives Jem and Scout air guns for Christmas and
instructs them not to kill mockingbirds; When B.B. Underwood writes about
Tom Robinson's death in his column; A mockingbird sings right before Bob
Ewell attacks Jem and Scout; and Scout agrees with Atticus that prosecuting
Boo for Ewell's murder would be like killing a mockingbird.

The Coexistence of Good and Evil

The most important theme of To Kill a Mockingbird is the books
exploration of the moral nature of human beingsthat is, whether people are
essentially good or essentially evil. The novel approaches this question by
dramatizing Scout and Jems transition from a perspective of childhood
innocence, in which they assume that people are good because they have
never seen evil, to a more adult perspective, in which they have confronted
evil and must incorporate it into their understanding of the world. As a result
of this portrayal of the transition from innocence to experience, one of the
books important subthemes involves the threat that hatred, prejudice, and
ignorance pose to the innocent: people such as Tom Robinson and Boo
Radley are not prepared for the evil that they encounter, and, as a result,
they are destroyed. Even Jem is victimized to an extent by his discovery of
the evil of racism during and after the trial. Whereas Scout is able to
maintain her basic faith in human nature despite Toms conviction, Jems
faith in justice and in humanity is badly damaged, and he retreats into a
state of disillusionment.

The moral voice of To Kill a Mockingbird is embodied by Atticus Finch,

who is virtually unique in the novel in that he has experienced and
understood evil without losing his faith in the human capacity for goodness.
Atticus understands that, rather than being simply creatures of good or
creatures of evil, most people have both good and bad qualities. The
important thing is to appreciate the good qualities and understand the bad
qualities by treating others with sympathy and trying to see life from their
perspective. He tries to teach this ultimate moral lesson to Jem and Scout to
show them that it is possible to live with conscience without losing hope or
becoming cynical. In this way, Atticus is able to admire Mrs. Duboses
courage even while deploring her racism. Scouts progress as a character in
the novel is defined by her gradual development toward understanding
Atticuss lessons, culminating when, in the final chapters, Scout at last sees
Boo Radley as a human being. Her newfound ability to view the world from
his perspective ensures that she will not become jaded as she loses her
innocence.

The Importance of Moral Education

Because exploration of the novels larger moral questions takes place
within the perspective of children, the education of children is necessarily
involved in the development of all of the novels themes. In a sense, the plot
of the story charts Scouts moral education, and the theme of how children
are educatedhow they are taught to move from innocence to adulthood
recurs throughout the novel (at the end of the book, Scout even says that
she has learned practically everything except algebra). This theme is
explored most powerfully through the relationship between Atticus and his
children, as he devotes himself to instilling a social conscience in Jem and
Scout. The scenes at school provide a direct counterpoint to Atticuss
effective education of his children: Scout is frequently confronted with

teachers who are either frustratingly unsympathetic to childrens needs or

morally hypocritical. As is true of To Kill a Mockingbirds other moral themes,
the novels conclusion about education is that the most important lessons
are those of sympathy and understanding, and that a sympathetic,
understanding approach is the best way to teach these lessons. In this way,
Atticuss ability to put himself in his childrens shoes makes him an excellent
teacher; while Miss Carolines rigid commitment to the educational
techniques that she learned in college makes her ineffective and even
dangerous.

The Existence of Social Inequality

Differences

in

social

status

are

explored

largely

through

the

overcomplicated social hierarchy of Maycomb, the ins and outs of which

constantly baffle the children. The relatively well-off Finches stand near the
top of Maycombs social hierarchy, with most of the townspeople beneath
them. Ignorant country farmers like the Cunninghams lie below the
townspeople, and the white trash Ewells rest below the Cunninghams. But
the black community in Maycomb, despite its abundance of admirable
qualities, squats below even the Ewells, enabling Bob Ewell to make up for
his own lack of importance by persecuting Tom Robinson. These rigid social
divisions that make up so much of the adult world are revealed in the book to
be both irrational and destructive. For example, Scout cannot understand
why Aunt Alexandra refuses to let her consort with young Walter
Cunningham. Lee uses the childrens confusion at the unpleasant layering of
Maycomb society to assess the role of class status and, ultimately, prejudice
in human interaction.

In the 21st Century

Not only is To Kill a Mockingbird a fun novel to read it is purposeful.
Harper Lee wrote the novel to demonstrate the way in which the world and
its people should live together in harmony through a basic moral attitude of
treating others with respect and kindness. Reading To Kill a Mockingbird
provides its audience with a basic moral code by which to live and encounter
individuals who appear different or make choices unlike those made by the
mainstream populace. Therefore, this novel becomes part of our moral
culture; regardless of age, people learn from the moral codes taught by
defense attorney Atticus Finch, his children, and his community.
The novel, in a sense, was a voice for the injustice that was and still is
in many places occurring around the world. This is one large reason the novel
has the staying power that it does and still serves as a reminder of what
racial ignorance can create.
Social status has existed nearly as long as man. To Kill a Mockingbird
exposes these inequalities in a less than subtle way. The Finches, the
protagonists in the story, set atop the hierarchy. This perspective gives
Scout, the narrator, an innocent view of how rigid social classes can be.
While the 21st century may not have the exact same social dynamics
of Alabama in the 1930s (the novels Setting), much of what happened
during that time still occurs today. Often the class that is deemed lowest is
someone of a different nationality, religion, or sexual orientation.
The social inequality, no matter what the decade is, still exists. To Kill a
Mockingbird offers powerful lessons that still apply in many circumstances
today. With little doubt, Harper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird remains as much a
part of 21st century pop culture as it was when it was first published in 1960.
The lessons on justice and equality are etched into the minds of the readers
as they enjoy its timeless lessons.