Character Sketches: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
1. Jean Louise “Scout” Finch
Role: Narrator and protagonist
Traits: Curious, outspoken, observant, empathetic
Key Quotes:
“Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love
breathing.”
“Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until
you stand in his shoes and walk around in them.”
“There’s just one kind of folks. Folks.”
“I think there’s just one kind of folks—folks.”
“Naw, Jem, I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks.”
Space for More Notes/Quotes:
2. Atticus Finch
Role: Father to Scout and Jem; a principled lawyer
Traits: Just, wise, humble, courageous
Key Quotes:
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from
his point of view...”
“The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s
conscience.”
“This case is as simple as black and white.”
“But there is one way in this country in which all men are created
equal... That institution, gentlemen, is a court.”
“Courage is not a man with a gun in his hand. It's knowing you're licked
before you begin but you begin anyway.”
Space for More Notes/Quotes:
3. Jeremy “Jem” Finch
Role: Scout’s older brother
Traits: Idealistic, protective, emotional, maturing
Key Quotes:
“It’s like bein’ a caterpillar in a cocoon...”
“How could they do it, how could they?” (After the trial)
“Don’t see how any jury could convict on what we heard.”
“I think I’m beginning to understand why Boo Radley’s stayed shut up
in the house all this time... it’s because he wants to stay inside.”
Space for More Notes/Quotes:
4. Miss Maudie Atkinson
Role: Neighbor and moral support for the Finches
Traits: Independent, kind, open-minded, insightful
Key Quotes:
“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy.”
“Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets.”
“We’re making a step. It’s just a baby-step, but it’s a step.”
“People in their right minds never take pride in their talents.”
Space for More Notes/Quotes:
5. Bob Ewell
Role: Antagonist; accuser in the Tom Robinson trial
Traits: Ignorant, racist, abusive, deceitful
Key Quotes:
“I seen that black n***** yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella!”
“I’ll get you if it takes the rest of my life!”
“Mr. Finch, I don’t know who kept him outta jail all this time... but he’s
finally paid for it.”
“Too proud to take charity from anyone, but not too proud to take the
stand and lie.” (Paraphrased reflection on Ewell’s hypocrisy)
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6. Arthur “Boo” Radley
Role: Mysterious neighbor; subject of local legends and children’s
fascination
Traits: Reclusive, gentle, misunderstood, kind-hearted
Key Quotes:
“Will you take me home?” (His only spoken line, filled with quiet
vulnerability)
“Boo was our neighbor. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and
chain, a pair of good-luck pennies…”
“You never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk
around in them.” (Scout reflecting on Boo at the end)
“Thank you for my children, Arthur.” (Atticus to Boo)
Symbolism:
Boo represents the ultimate mockingbird—harmless, gentle, and wrongly
judged by society.
Space for More Notes/Quotes:
7. Tom Robinson
Role: Black man falsely accused of raping Mayella Ewell
Traits: Honest, hardworking, respectful, victimized
Key Quotes:
“I felt sorry for her, she seemed to try more’n the rest of ‘em—” (a line
that shocks the jury and society)
“Mr. Finch, if you was a n***** like me, you’d be scared, too.”
“Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and
screamed.” (Narration)
Symbolism:
Tom, like Boo, is a mockingbird—destroyed by ignorance and racism despite
his innocence and goodness.
Space for More Notes/Quotes:
The Theme of Injustice in To Kill a Mockingbird
Overview
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the fictional town of Maycomb,
Alabama to explore deep issues of racial, social, and legal injustice in
1930s America. Through the trial of Tom Robinson, and the experiences of
Scout, Jem, and Atticus, we see how unfairness affects individuals and
communities—and how people choose to respond to it.
Types of Injustice in the Novel
1. Racial Injustice
Tom Robinson, a Black man, is wrongly accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a
white woman. Despite clear evidence of his innocence, he is convicted
simply because of the color of his skin.
"But there is one way in this country in which all men are created
equal—there is one human institution that makes a pauper the
equal of a Rockefeller... That institution, gentlemen, is a court." –
Atticus Finch
“Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth
and screamed.” – Narrator (Scout)
2. Social and Class Injustice
People in Maycomb are judged not only by race, but also by class and
family background. The Ewells, despite being white, are looked down on
due to their poverty. Meanwhile, the Cunninghams are poor but seen as
proud and hardworking.
"Miss Caroline, he’s a Cunningham." – Scout (explaining why Walter
won’t take lunch money)
"There’s four kinds of folks in the world..." – Jem (trying to explain
Maycomb’s social structure)
3. Gender Injustice
Scout faces pressure to act more “ladylike” and is criticized for being a
tomboy. The court system and town also dismiss Mayella’s loneliness and
abuse, while expecting women to be passive and proper.
“I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks.” – Scout
“You should be in a dress and camisole, young lady!” – Various adult
figures criticizing Scout
Why This Matters
Injustice in the novel isn’t just about Tom Robinson’s trial—it’s woven into the
way people think and live. Atticus tries to teach his children to do what’s
right even when it’s unpopular or dangerous. The novel asks:
What does justice look like?
Who gets to decide what’s fair?
How can we challenge unfair systems?
Quick Quote Bank (Use in your writing or discussions)
“The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a
person’s conscience.” – Atticus
“In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black
man’s, the white man always wins.” – Atticus
“I felt sorry for her, she seemed to try more’n the rest of ‘em
—” – Tom Robinson
“It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” – Atticus / Miss Maudie
The Theme of Herd Mentality in To Kill a Mockingbird
What is Herd Mentality?
Herd mentality happens when people follow the group instead of thinking
for themselves. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows how this kind of
thinking leads to injustice, prejudice, and fear—especially in a small town
like Maycomb.
Think about it: Why do people go along with the crowd, even when they
know something is wrong?
Herd Mentality in Maycomb
Many characters in the novel go along with racist, unfair, or harmful
beliefs just because that's what everyone else in the town believes. Very
few people—like Atticus, Miss Maudie, and Heck Tate—stand up to the crowd.
Key Moments of Herd Mentality
The Trial
Most of the white citizens of Maycomb believe Tom Robinson is guilty
because of his race, not because of any real evidence.
“In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s,
the white man always wins.” – Atticus Finch
“The jury couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson’s
word against the Ewells’.” – Narrator (Scout)
The Mob at the Jail
A group of men tries to lynch Tom Robinson the night before the trial. They
don’t think for themselves—they act out of fear and pressure.
“You know what we want,” another man said. “Get aside from the
door, Mr. Finch.”
“Hey, Mr. Cunningham.” – Scout’s simple, personal words break the mob
mentality
What stopped the mob? Scout reminded them they were individuals—not
just part of a group.
Herd Mentality and Prejudice
People in Maycomb grow up hearing certain ideas about Black people,
women, and social class—and they rarely question them.
“That boy’s yo’ comp’ny and if he wants to eat up the tablecloth you
let him, you hear?” – Calpurnia
“Don’t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house’s yo’
comp’ny.” – Calpurnia again, teaching Scout not to follow the town’s
prejudices
Why It Matters
Herd mentality shows how people can support injustice without thinking,
just because they’re afraid to be different. To Kill a Mockingbird teaches us to
think for ourselves, ask questions, and stand up for what’s right—even
when it’s hard.
Quote Bank
“The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s
conscience.” – Atticus
“A mob’s always made up of people, no matter what.” – Atticus
“Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until
you stand in his shoes…” – Scout
“I thought Mr. Cunningham was a friend of ours.” – Scout
“It took a child to bring them to their senses.” – Atticus (about Scout
and the mob)
What is Courage? What is Resilience?
Courage is the strength to do what’s right—even when it’s hard, scary,
or unpopular.
Resilience is the ability to keep going, even when things get difficult.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows us many kinds of courage:
standing up to racism, telling the truth, or facing pain and loss with dignity.
Courage in the Courtroom – Atticus Finch
Atticus defends Tom Robinson, knowing the town will turn against him.
“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 you see it through no matter
what.” – Atticus Finch
“Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no
reason for us not to try to win.” – Atticus Finch
Even though he knows he’ll lose the case, Atticus stands up for what’s right.
Quiet Strength – Mrs. Dubose
An elderly, racist neighbor, Mrs. Dubose fights a morphine addiction before
she dies.
“She was the bravest person I ever knew.” – Atticus Finch
“She had her own views about things, a lot different from mine, maybe... but
she was a great lady.” – Atticus Finch
Atticus teaches Jem that real courage is fighting a personal battle, even
when no one sees it.
Growing Strong – Scout and Jem
Scout and Jem learn to be brave in small ways—like standing up to bullies or
questioning what the adults around them say.
“I wanted you to see what real courage is... It’s when you know you’re
beaten before you begin but you begin anyway and see it through no matter
what.” – Atticus
“Atticus, he was real nice.” “Most people are, Scout, when you finally see
them.” – Scout and Atticus
Their journey is about learning how to stay strong while growing up in an
unjust world.
Silenced but Strong – Tom Robinson
Tom shows courage by telling the truth in court, even though he knows no
one will believe him.
“Mr. Finch, if you was a n*** like me, you’d be scared, too.”** – Tom Robinson
Even in the face of certain injustice, Tom speaks honestly and respectfully.
Gentle Bravery – Boo Radley
Boo, a shy and mysterious figure, risks his safety to protect Jem and Scout.
“Thank you for my children, Arthur.” – Atticus to Boo
“I think I’m beginning to understand why Boo Radley’s stayed shut up in the
house all this time... it’s because he wants to stay inside.” – Jem
Boo’s quiet acts of kindness show us that heroism doesn’t always look loud
or strong.
Quote Bank (for writing and discussion)
“It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin
anyway...” – Atticus
“She died beholden to nothing and nobody.” – Atticus about Mrs.
Dubose
“I’m simply defending a Negro—his name’s Tom Robinson.” – Atticus
“Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them.” – Atticus
“I wanted you to see what real courage is...” – Atticus
Questions:
1. Which character do you think best represents the mockingbird? Use
quotes or moments from the book to explain your answer.
2. Which moment in the novel made you feel most strongly about
injustice? Why?
3. How does the trial of Tom Robinson show that the justice system is
flawed?
4. Why do you think the people of Maycomb go along with injustice?
5. How does Scout help stop the mob at the jail? What does that scene
teach us about herd mentality?
6. Which character do you think shows the most courage? Why?
7. How does Harper Lee show that courage isn’t always physical?
