Learn: To kill a mocking bird

Scout Finch

The narrator and protagonist of the story. Scout lives with her father, Atticus, her brother, Jem, and their black cook, Calpurnia, in Maycomb. She is intelligent and, by the standards of her time and place, a tomboy. Scout has a combative streak and a basic faith in the goodness of the people in her community. As the novel progresses, this faith is tested by the hatred and prejudice that emerge during Tom Robinson's trial. Scout eventually develops a more grown-up perspective that enables her to appreciate human goodness without ignoring human evil.

Jem

Scout's older brother that begins her story at 10. Jem is quiet, more reserved, and has very high standards and expectations for people

Dill

Charles Baker Harris, small, older than Scout, younger than Jem, is obsessed with seeing Boo

Boo radely

A recluse who never emerges from his house. As a young boy, he was in trouble with the police, and his strictly religious, also reclusive parents kept him inside. One day he stabbed his father with scissors, and has never been heard of since. The town has created a myth around him of monstrous proportions. He lives with his brother throughout much of the book.

Mrs. Dubose

elderly neighbor, children don't like her, racist, jem gets mad and tears up her flowers, as punishment jem has to read to her, addicted to morphine, the reading helps her die free of painkillers, leaves jem a carnation in a box, sexist, obnoxious

Atticus

Scout and Jem's father, a lawyer in Maycomb descended from an old local family. A widower with a dry sense of humor, Atticus has instilled in his children his strong sense of morality and justice. He is one of the few residents of Maycomb committed to racial equality. When he agrees to defend Tom Robinson, a black man charged with raping a white woman, he exposes himself and his family to the anger of the white community. With his strongly held convictions, wisdom, and empathy, Atticus functions as the novel's moral backbone.

Tom robinson

- A 25 year old black man, being accused of raping Mayella Ewel

Bob Ewel

A drunken, mostly unemployed member of Maycomb's poorest family. In his knowingly wrongful accusation that Tom Robinson raped his daughter, Ewell represents the dark side of the South: ignorance, poverty, squalor, and hate-filled racial prejudice.

Maycomb

the racist town in Alabama where this book takes place

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 blacks in town who can read and write, she teaches Scout to write.

Aunt Alexandria

Sister to Atticus and Jack; Aunt Alexandra is very concerned with appearances and the ways in which the Finch family is perceived by others; Scout's tomboyish ways are a source of great tension between her and Alexandria

Knothole

Arthur Radley left lots of little presents for the children in a Knot Hole. He left a ball of twine, figurines carved out of soap, chewing gum, a medal, and a pocket watch. The children planned to write a letter and leave it in the hole however it got filled up with cement by Nathan

Mayella Ewel

Daughter of Bob Ewell; tries to stay clean; takes care of her brothers and sisters; has no friends; accused Tom Robinson of raping her

Mr. Avery

overweight neighbor, tells children the weather changes because of bad children like them, they build a snowman that looks like him

Stephanie Crawford

neighborhood gossip, miss maudie lives with her when her house burns down, wants her cake recipe

air rifle

The gift that the Finch kids get for Christmas

Uncle Jack

Atticus's brother, a doctor Jem and Scout are very fond of

Miss Maudie

The Finches' neighbor, a sharp-tongued widow, and an old friend of the family. Miss Maudie is almost the same age as Atticus's younger brother, Jack. She shares Atticus's passion for justice and is the children's best friend among Maycomb's adults.

Nathan Radely

Boo's brother who has to take care of him after his father dies and walks to town everyday; almost shoots Jem; fills the knot hole

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.

Tim Johnson

the mad dog with rabies who Atticus shot

Aunt Rachel

Dill's aunt who lives next door to the Finches

Heck Tate

Maycomb County's trusty sheriff, who is ultimately an honest and upstanding man.

Mocking Bird

Symbol of joy and innocence and Atticus says it is a sin to kill one

Finch Landing

Home of Aunt Alexandra and Uncle Jimmy, built by Simon Finch to please his wife.

Jessie

Mrs. Dubose's black nurse; cares for Mrs. Dubose

Morphine

a powerful, addictive drug used to ease pain and bring sleep

Snow-on-the-mountain

Mrs. Dubose's present to Jem

Helen Robinson

Wife of Tom Robinson, took a job at Link Deas when no one would hire her. Harassed by Bob Ewell.

Uncle Jimmy

Aunt Alexandria's husband and is very quiet

Harper Lee

Author of To Kill a Mockingbird