English

quotes

You, Understand, View

You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb into his skin and walk around in it, Atticus Finch, Scout has had a difficult first day at school and is frustrated with her teacher, Miss Caroline, and Walter Cunningham. Atticus explains that she needs to understand situations from other people's perspectives before judging them.

Wanted, Courage, Man, Licked, Anyways, No matter

I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.Atticus is speaking to Jem after Jem has been forced to read to Mrs Dubose as punishment for destroying her flowers. Mrs Dubose has been battling morphine addiction and Atticus explains that, despite knowing how difficult her struggle would be, she was determined to overcome it before she died. He wants Jem to understand that courage is not about physical strength or weapons, but about perseverance and determination. Atticus Finch

Remember, Sin, Kill

Remember it’s a sin to kill a mocking bird

Atticus gives Jem and Scout air rifles but tells them never to shoot mockingbirds. Later, Miss Maudie explains that mockingbirds are harmless creatures that simply make music for people to enjoy.- Atticus Finch

People, look, hear, for

People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for - Atticus Finch

Think, kind, folks

I think there’s just one kind of folks, folks. Scout Finch

Shoot, want, ‘em, remember, sin, mockingbird

Shoot all the bluejays you want, is you can hit ‘em, but remember it is a sin to kill a mockingbird - Atticus Finch.

crime, vulnerable, beauty, causing harm

It is a crime to harm the vulnerable and innocent who give beauty to the world without causing harm - Atticus Finch

Simply, licked, years, started, not, try, win.

Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started, is no reason for us not to try to win - Atticus Finch

Before, folks, live, myself.

Before I can live with other folks, I’ve got to live with myself - Atticus Finch

Scout has had a difficult first day at school and is frustrated with her teacher, Miss Caroline, and Walter Cunningham. Atticus explains that she needs to understand situations from other people's perspectives before judging them.

SF

The main character and narrator. She is curious, outspoken and initially innocent. Throughout the novel, she learns about racism, injustice and empathy.

Represents: Innocence, growing up and understanding.

AF

Scout and Jem's father. He is a lawyer who believes everyone deserves fairness, regardless of race. He defends Tom Robinson even though he knows the town will turn against him.

Represents: Courage, integrity, morality and justice.

JF

Scout's older brother. He begins to understand the cruelty and injustice of the adult world as the story progresses.

Represents: Loss of innocence and maturity.

BR

A mysterious neighbour who rarely leaves his house. The children initially believe he is frightening, but eventually discover that he is kind and protective.

Represents: Misjudgement, innocence and empathy.

TR

A Black man falsely accused of assaulting Mayella Ewell. Despite strong evidence supporting his innocence, he is convicted by an all-white jury.

Represents: Racism, injustice and the destruction of innocence.

DH

Scout and Jem's friend who visits Maycomb during summer. He becomes upset when he witnesses the way Tom is treated during the trial.

Represents: Childhood innocence and empathy.

CP

Calpurnia: The Finch family's Black housekeeper who helps raise Scout and Jem.

ME

The white woman who accuses Tom Robinson.

Bob Ewell

Mayella's father, who falsely accuses Tom and represents racism and cruelty.

MD

An elderly neighbour whose struggle teaches Jem about real courage

"The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."

"The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience." Atticus, defending tom robinson