Keyword Guide · character-analysis
Understanding the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird helps you follow the novel’s themes and conflicts. This guide breaks down the main and supporting characters in a clear, study-friendly way. Use it for quick review, class discussion, or essay prep.
Scout Finch is the young narrator whose growth shapes the story. Atticus Finch, her father, represents moral integrity and reason. Jem Finch, Scout’s older brother, matures as he confronts injustice. Tom Robinson is a Black man wrongly accused, and his case exposes deep racial prejudice in the community.
Calpurnia is the Finch family’s housekeeper and a moral guide who bridges social divides. Boo Radley is a reclusive neighbor surrounded by rumors, later revealed as compassionate. Mayella Ewell and Bob Ewell represent abuse of power and social cruelty within the town.
Each character highlights a major theme. Atticus and Tom connect to justice and fairness. Scout and Jem show loss of innocence. Boo Radley challenges the danger of judging others without understanding them. Together, the characters turn abstract ideas into personal experiences.
Group characters by role: moral leaders, victims, and agents of conflict. Track how Scout’s perspective changes over time. For essays, link one character’s actions to a theme like justice or empathy. For quizzes, memorize each character’s relationship to the Finch family.
Scout Finch is the central character because the story is told through her perspective and focuses on her moral growth.
Atticus represents moral courage and fairness, especially through his role as a lawyer defending Tom Robinson.
Boo Radley is ultimately portrayed as a quiet hero who shows kindness and protects others despite being misunderstood.
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