Core C Comp & Lit

To Kill a Mockingbird / Character List

Jean Louise Finch (Scout) The narrator of To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus's daughter, Jem's sister, Alexandra and Jack's niece, friend
of Dill. In the three years the novel covers, she grows from six-years-old to nine. Scout is intelligent and
loves to read, but is also headstrong, outspoken, and a tomboy. Over the course of the novel, Scout's
innocence falls away as she discovers how cruel and violent people can be. Through Atticus's careful
teaching, she learns the necessary response to intolerance: seek to understand its origins, relate to
people (no matter who) with dignity rather than anger.
Jeremy Atticus Finch (Jem) Scout's older brother and Atticus's son. Four years older than Scout. Intelligent and adventurous.
Grows into a young man who is strong, serious, idealistic, and sensitive. Jem also reveres the justice
and moral character of his father.
Atticus Finch Scout and Jem's widowed father, and Alexandra and Jack's brother. A distinguished lawyer in Maycomb,
Atticus believes in moral integrity, and stands up against the racism of Maycomb to defend a black
man, Tom Robinson, falsely accused of rape by a white man, Bob Ewell. Atticus teaches his children to
respect the dignity of every human being, to try to see the world from their individual point of view.
Arthur Radley (Boo) A recluse who never sets foot outside his house, Arthur is an object of fascination for many Maycomb
residents. Many rumors describe Arthur as a kind of monster who stabbed his father as a boy, eats
cats, and haunts the neighborhood at night. He turns out to be innocent, gentle, kind, protective of
children, intensely shy, and one of the mockingbirds to which the title of To Kill a Mockingbird refers.
Calpurnia The Finches' black cook, she essentially raised Scout and Jem. Atticus considers her family. Calpurnia is
strict but loving. Though at times Scout resents Calpurnia's rules and restrictions, she comes to respect
Calpurnia for her strength, intelligence, and kindness.
Charles Baker Harris (Dill) Jem and Scout's friend, who visits Maycomb each summer from his home in Meridian, Alabama. Miss
Rachel Haverford’s nephew. Intensely imaginative and sensitive boy; uses his imagination to hide
loneliness and pain. Dill is obsessed with Boo Radley.
Miss Maudie Atkinson A widowed neighbor of the Finches' and a childhood friend of Atticus, Alexandra, and Jack. Miss
Maudie Atkinson is a friend and confidante to the Finch children. Her moral outlook is similar to
Atticus's. She loves flowers and nature.
Aunt Alexandra Atticus and Jack's sister, and Scout and Jem's aunt. Alexandra is stern and often haughty, and she
believes in the importance of social class and gender roles.
Tom Robinson A black man accused of rape by Bob Ewell, and defended by Atticus. Tom is a family man, father, and
churchgoer. He does not have the use of his left arm.
Bob Ewell Mayella's father and the patriarch of the poor, vicious Ewell clan who live in an old cabin near the town
dump. Ewell is thoroughly awful, a man who buys alcohol while letting his children go hungry.
Mayella Ewell Bob Ewell's daughter and oldest child. Lonely, friendless, and the only woman in her family, Mayella
accuses Tom Robinson of raping her.
Uncle Jack Atticus and Alexandra's younger brother. Scout and Jem's uncle.
Mrs. Henry Lafayette An old woman and neighbor of the Finch's. She is an old and bitter woman, and a racist through and
Dubose through, though Jem and Scout discover she has her own dignity and courage deserving of respect.
Nathan Radley Boo Radley's older brother. A cold and very religious man, he runs the Radley household.
Heck Tate The sheriff of Maycomb.
Link Deas Tom Robinson's employer.
Mr. Underwood The writer, editor, and publisher of Maycomb's newspaper.
Mr. Dolphus Raymond A wealthy white man who lives outside town with his black mistress and interracial children.
Mr. Cunningham One of the poor Cunningham farmers and the father of Walter Cunningham.
Walter Cunningham Mr. Cunningham's son and Scout's classmate.
Miss Rachel Haverford Dill's aunt and one of the Finch's neighbors.
Mrs. Grace Merriweather A member of Aunt Alexandra's social circle in Maycomb.
Miss Stephanie Crawford A neighbor of the Finch's and a big gossip.
Mr. Avery Another of the Finch's neighbors.
Cecil Jacobs One of Scout's classmates.
Judge Taylor The judge at the trial of Tom Robinson.
Mr. Gilmer The prosecutor at the trial of Tom Robinson.
Miss Caroline Scout's first grade teacher.
Miss Gates Scout's third grade teacher.
Reverend Sykes The reverend at Calpurnia's church.
Burris Ewell A son of Bob Ewell.
Mrs. Robinson Wife of Tom Robinson.