tkam characters

Scout Finch

Narrator, daughter of Atticus, rejects traditional aspects of society, smart beyond her age, prideful in her rebellious nature; perspective of humanity changes with her experiences and knowledge from the adults in her community to the challenges her family faces because of Tom Robinson’s trial

Jem Finch

only saw the evil in society, and his navigation of justice and relationship with Scout results in him realizing the relationship between good and evil, as Scout learned, but with a darker route and perspective. 

Dill

With his creative storytelling and hope for adventure, Dill represents the naivety and hope of childhood that Scout and Jem grow out of fast,

Atticus Finch

Jean and Jem’s father, county attorney, often fights for racial equality in court cases; acts as a beacon of wisdom for Scout and Jem, teaching them lessons as they experience life as well as his own perspective of morality that he values

Alexandra Finch

J+S aunt, showcases traditionalism in a positive and negative light;

John “Jack” Hale Finch

showcases the importance of context for decisions and rules

Arthur “Boo” Radley

The two conflicting identities of Arthur Radley, a good man hurt by society’s evil and “Boo Radley” the persona society created that marks him as an evil, mysterious figure are exposed, and emphasize the extent of society’s influence on one’s point of view of others, even children.

Calpurnia

e exposes them to the Black community and culture, and acts as another perspective to racial inequity and discrimination.

Miss Caroline

Scout’s teacher; introduces idea that societies, even in proximity, have vastly different culture, and in particular, Maycomb’s stubbornness to change and strict tradition.

Miss Maudie

Acts as a motherly figure to J+S (but mostly S); ideas of what children should know foil with Atticus

Mrs. Dubose

 introduces the concept to Jean that someone can matches the attributes of being an “evil person” but have an admirable quality that can still be exemplary of who they are as a person, not what they were taught. 

Tom R

message about society's negligence of the truth that develops the environment of oppression that hurts both sides.

Bob Ewell

catalyst of Scout learning the darkness of society from his offenses of his lack of education, job, and overly aggressive nature that results in his death

Mayella Ewell

 represents the entrapment of her family’s ignorance and status in society, furtherly, the how evil isn’t always as straightforward as it may seem. 

Dolphus Raymond

the ramifications of culture upon the people who do not fit into distinct, “normal” categories

Lula

 represents the intolerance and divide of the white and black community in the South

Walt Cunningham

When Scout prevents him from lynching Tom, the shift in his attitude from letting the stereotypical, hateful, and ill-minded ways of his family and what he believes he should do because of his family, to the realization of humanity, he represents the “humanity in a mob”and the fact that society can only define you if you let it.