tkam characters

Link Deas

Tom Robinson’s employer; stands up for him in court.

Calpurnia

Finch family’s housekeeper; a mother figure to Scout and Jem.

Tim Johnson

Rabid dog shot by Atticus; symbol of hidden danger.

Helen Robinson

Tom’s wife; harassed by Bob Ewell.

Dill (Charles Baker Harris)

Scout and Jem’s friend; imaginative and curious.

Walter Cunningham, Sr.

Poor but proud farmer; pays Atticus with goods.

Heck Tate

Sheriff of Maycomb County.

Francis

Scout’s cousin; calls Atticus a racial slur.

Aunt Alexandra

Atticus's sister; very traditional and proper.

Judge Taylor

The judge in Tom’s trial; fair and laid-back.

Jem (Jeremy Finch)

Scout’s older brother; matures over the course of the book.

Mr. Underwood

Newspaper editor; defends Atticus and Tom in print.

Tom Robinson

Black man falsely accused of raping Mayella.

Mrs. Merriweather

Hypocritical member of the missionary circle.

Cecil Jacobs

Scout’s schoolmate; taunts her about Atticus.

Rev. Sykes

Minister at First Purchase Church; helps Scout and Jem during the trial.

Bob Ewell

Racist, abusive father who falsely accuses Tom.

Mrs. Dubose

Elderly, ill woman who struggles with morphine addiction.

Stephanie Crawford

Town gossip.

Mayella Ewell

Bob’s daughter; accuses Tom of rape.

Dolphus Raymond

White man who pretends to be drunk to explain his lifestyle.

Zeebo

Calpurnia’s son; garbage collector; leads singing at church.

Boo Radley (Arthur)

Mysterious neighbor; saves the children.

Mr. Gilmer

Prosecuting attorney in Tom’s case.

Nathan Radley

Boo’s brother; takes care of the Radley house.

Atticus

Scout and Jem’s father; lawyer who defends Tom.

Ewells

Poor, disrespected, lazy, dishonest, false pride, disregard towards the law.

Cunninghams

Poor, respected, hardworking, honest, quiet dignity, law-abiding

Foreshadowing the Attack on the kids

Bob Ewell’s threats after the trial, events during the Halloween pageant, and the brken wach and gray ghost references.

Who Symbolizes a Mockingbird?

Tom Robinson - Innocent man destroyed by racism

Boo Radley - Kind but misunderstood recluse.

Jem (possibly) - Innocence lost as he matures.

Racism and Injustice

Tom Robinson’s trial and conviction

Moral Growth / Coming of Age

Scout and Jem’s changing views on Boo, justice

Courage

Atticus defending Tom; Mrs. Dubose fighting addiction

Empathy

“You never really understand a person until you climb into his skin…” - Atticus

Hypocrisy

Missionary society condemning other cultures while being racist