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To Kill A Mockingbird - ADDITIONAL NOTES
Please note that the information given on this play is not meant to replace any material given in the classroom. The opinions expressed in this article represents the opinions of one individual, and opinions vary.
Characterization
THE FINCH FAMILY:
ATTICUS
Good father
Atticus' status, as a good father, is one that is unquestionable. He spends quality time with his children, as is seen when he reads to them on different occasions. He also treats them like little adults because he really listens to them and makes compromises with them, in order to ensure that they do not feel powerless in the father/ son and father/ daughter relationship. The major examples of his being an exceptionally good father is seen in the lessons that he deliberatley teaches his children, as well as the fact that he takes advantage of the teachable moments that arise during their interactions.
Atticus ensures that his children learn life lessons that equip them to function as adults. One of the toughest lessons that he passes on to Jem is that effort is what counts, not the end result. He does this by explaining, to Jem, that he cannot win the Tom Robinson case, but that he has to try.
'Atticus, are we going to wim it?'
'Then why -'
'Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win' (Lee, 82).
The reality of this is brought home to Jem when, as predicted, Atticus loses the case. Jem is traumatized by this loss, because the evidence, or lack of evidence, clearly highlighted Tom's innocence. Jem did not understand the intricacies of racism, which overshadows a man's innocence. Atticus is a good father, in (www.bulbsoup.com) this situation, because he tried to prepare his son for the unfairness that is inherent in racism. He tells Jem that he has lost before he has even begun. When this becomes a reality, he soothes his son and gives him the companionable space that he needs to accept this bitter pill.
'It ain't right, Atticus,' said Jem.
'No son, it's not right.'
We walked home.
The second example is seen in the Mrs. Dubose incident. Jem got angry and pulverized Mrs. Dubose's bushes, when she insulted Atticus. Atticus' response, ironically, was to punish Jem by letting him read to Mrs. Dubose. This decision was made in an attempt to show Jem that a man must display discipline in the face of overwhelming emotions, and that he must be a gentleman, no matter the situation. The end of the visit, however, is where the reader sees the most important lesson, in this context, that Atticus tried to teach his son. He wanted Jem to realize that manhood is not based on the ability to shoot a gun, but on the ability to persevere through hardships, even if the battle cannot be won '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 you see it through no matter what. (Lee, 118)
The third example of Atticus' status as a good father is seen in how he relates to Scout. Scout tries to convince Atticus to allow her to stay home, like the Ewells, and not attend school. The fact that he is a good father is seen in the patience with which he listens to Scout, and really seems to consider her argument. He also presents a reasonable counter argument, for her argument, and compromises with a deal that is satisfactory to the both of them. This is parenting at the highest level because he does not rob Scout of her voice. He respects his daughter by listening to her and taking her 'small' issue very seriously. He then compromises with her, allowing her to maintain her dignity and sense of fair play.
Considerate and non-racist
These two traits are linked because, in Atticus' case, one informs the other. The fact that he is not a racist person, impacts his classification as a considerate individual. He is not racist because he actually defends Tom Robinson, instead of 'slacking off', which would have been accepted by the townspeople. He defends Tom to the best of his ability in the courtroom, as is seen in his cross examination of Mayella Ewell. He even sits outside of the jailhouse, with a gun, when he felt that Tom was in danger. His non racist status is also highlighted by Calpurnia's status in the Finch household. Calpurnia is more than the household help, she is a mother figure to the two Finch children. Therefore, the boundary between employer and employee and black versus white have been blurred, even erased, in the Finch's household. This has to be the case, for Calpurnia to operate like a mother figure. In fact, when Scout asked her father to fire Calpurnia, Atticus admits that they could not function without her. This highlights that he accepts, and endorses, Calpurnia's equal (to him) and superior (to the children) status in his household.
The fact that he is considerate is shown in the fact that he tries to be fair, by always putting himself in other people's shoes, and this trait is fed by the fact that Atticus does not appear to see colour. There are several instances of Atticus' considerate nature:
A gentleman
Atticus is the epitome of a southern gentleman. This is the case because he treats the women that he encounters with care and consideration. When Scout wanted to quit school, Atticus did not pull an authoritarian parent act on Scout, instead, like a true gentleman, he listened to her and then reached a compromise. The same approach is taken with Aunt Alexandria. Aunt Alexandria visits his home and disturbs the order of the home, yet he is always polite. They have one visible altercation, during Aunt Alexandria's visit, but even in that context he maintains discipline and restraint in dealing with her. His approach to Mayella, on the stand, also highlights the fact that he is a gentleman. He is very polite to her, so much so that, in her ignorance, she mistakes it for sarcasm.
CALPURNIA
A Mother figure
Calpurnia is a mother figure to the Finch children. This can be seen in the manner that she assumes ownership of the children. When Scout, in the initial chapters, comments on Walter Cunningham's use of syrup in his food, she absolutely reprimands Scout, like a mother would, because there is an implied feeling of ownership and intimacy, on Calpurnia's part 'Calpurnia sent me through the swinging door to the dining room with a stinging slap ... I told Calpurnia to just wait I'd fix her: one of these days when she wasn't looking I'd go off and drown myself in Barker's Eddy and then she'd be sorry ... "Hush your fussin",' she said' (Lee, 30-31). Scout's response to this incident, which is to ask her father to fire Calpurnia, highlights that Scout identifies this feeling of ownership and blanches at it. Despite this response, however, there is an underlying acceptance of Calpurnia's authority over her. Scout knows that this is a person, who is not her mother, taking on the role of her mother, yet there is a familiarity between them that allows her to threaten Calpurnia with harming herself. She chooses this threat because there is an underlying knowledge that Calpurnia would be hurt by this, strongly pointing to a loving, though antagonistic, link between the two characters.
Probably the most important thing that Calpurnia does for Scout, which demonstrates her role as a surrogate mother to Scout, is when she offers Scout her time, and company, when Jem became inconsistent and moody 'He's gonna want to be off to himself a lot now, doin' whatever boys do, so you just come right on in the kitchen when you feel lonesome. We'll find lots of things to do in her' (Lee, 121). This highlights that the love that Scout takes for granted, when she childishly threatens to drown herself, is a real thing. Calpurnia understood that Scout might feel rejected and lonely as a result of her brother's new attitude, so she offers Scout her time and company. Calpurnia saw an emotional need and she filled the gap. The reader also learns that Calpurnia inadvertently taught Scout to read 'Besides, I added, she'd already got me in trouble once today: she had taught me to read and write' (Lee, 31). She would give Scout writing exercises, and the fact that Scout had to do the tasks, speaks to Calpurnia's role as a mother figure, with authority, in her life. Mothers are not just caregivers, but teachers as well, and Calpurnia falls within this category.
Flexible
Calpurnia is a flexible character. This can be seen in the fact that she is comfortable around her educated white employer, as well as around her own race. Calpurnia can easily flow between speaking to the Finch children, and then addressing a member of her race, which require different linguistic skills/ knowledge. An example of this can be seen when she takes the children to her church, which is segregated. The difference in speech, between the Finches and the Black characters, becomes apparent when Scout notes that 'I thought her voice strange: She was talking like the rest of them.' (Lee, 125). it is clear that Calpurnia speaks to the children one way, and her peers another way. Calpurnia, however, is able to traverse the two cultural and language barriers, thereby enabling her to communicate, effectively, with both races.
JEAN LOUIS FINCH (SCOUT)
Guileless
The word guileless means innocent and without deception. This word describes Scout because her actions are guileless. The first example of this is seen when Scout tried to help her teacher by educating her about the fact that Walter did not want to borrow the money for his lunch because he would not be able to repay it 'You're shamin' him, Miss Caroline. Walter hasn't got a quarter at home to bring you, and you can't use any stovewood' (Lee, 27). Her actions were devoid of malice or ill intent, but her teacher did not interpret it in this manner. Scout, the older narrator, commented that 'If I could have explained these things to Miss Caroline, I would have saved myself some inconvenience and Miss Caroline subsequent mortifications, but it was beyond my ability to explain things as well as Atticus' (Lee, 27). Miss Caroline thought that Scout had overstepped her boundaries and was being disrespectful to her. A second example of this character trait is when the children followed Atticus to the jail, and Scout interrupted what could have been a disastrous encounter between Atticus and Tom Robinson's 'visitors'. Scout simply stepped between the men and began asking them about mundane things. Her actions literally diffused a very tense atmosphere and gave the adults time to rethink their intended actions. In each case, Scout's actions were done with the innocent intention to help, without any deceptive intentions. this categorizes Scout as guileless.
Loyal
Scout was very loyal to Jem. This can be seen when she does not abandon him when he is punished for destroying Mrs. Dubose's camelia bushes. Instead, she goes with him, every single evening, to serve his punishment. By doing this, she purposefully shared in his punishment, a side effect that she did not have to endure. This level of loyalty shows the love that she had for her brother, because she sacrifices her freedom to share in his punishment. The reader also sees Scout anxiety regarding Jem's decision to go back for his pants. Her worry is clear, especially based on the circumstances under which his pants was left on the the fence in the first place. Her relief is clear when he arrived safely home, which, again, highlights the fact that loyalty and love are intertwined traits for Scout.
Tomboy
Scout can be described as a tomboy. A tomboy is a girl that shows interest in activities that are typically related to boys. The first thing that hints at this trait being strong, in relation to Scout, is that she manages to keep up with her brother and Dill. Whatever activities they were doing, from playacting Boo Radley's life, to rolling in tires, Scout was not only involved, but excelled at it. This trait is highlighted, particularly, when Aunt Alexandria decided to spend time with Atticus and his children. She tried her best to teach Scout how to act like a Southern lady, lessons which were not appreciated by Scout. It is in this lack of appreciation for the traits, and actions, of a Southern lady that most points to the fact that Scout is a Tomboy. She did not appreciate being cooped up in the house and drinking tea during one of Aunt Alexandria's meetings.
JEREMY ATTICUS FINCH (JEM)
Disciplined & mature
Jem is the character that shows the most growth in the novel. He goes from being a little boy who plays childish games with his sister and friend, Dill, to a young man who learns valuable lessons as the plot progresses. He learns discipline, through the incident with Mrs. Dubose's garden. In a fit of rage, after Mrs. Dubose insulted Atticus, Jem destroyed the old lady's chamelia bush. His punishment, which was ironically issued by Atticus, was to sit and read to Mrs. Dubose in the evenings. Jem's level of discipline is seen when he stoically obeys his father, and even grudgingly agrees to the extension of his punishment. Jem also returns for his pants after he was forced to leave them at the Radley house. This shows both discipline and growth (maturity) on his part because he literally just did what had to be done, despite the pressing physical danger. Jem knew that he had to retrieve the pants because if it was found, he, along with his friends, would get in trouble. So, he thought beyond himself, which shows growth and maturity, and then executed a solution, which highlights the fact that he is disciplined.
Innocent
Jem displays innocence when he believed, despite the warning from Atticus, that Tom Robinson would not be convicted. He did not see Maycombe with an adult's eye, but with the eyes of an innocent child. He did not realize that the lack of evidence against Tom would not stop the all white jurors from convicting a black man in a case where it is his word against a white woman's. He did not understand the the mechanisms of racism. Jem pays for this innocence because he is traumatized by the guilty verdict. It shakes his innocent world that dictated that 1 + 1 = 2. If there is no evidence, there must be no conviction. The jurors did not need the evidence, in fact, the trial itself was unnecessary. The minute Mayella pointed a finger at Tom, it was his doom.
A good brother
Jem can be unequivocally classified as a good big brother because he looks out for his sister. One instance of him taking the role of care taker is when he advises his sister against eating the gum that they found in the knot hole, as well as defending her against Bob Ewell when he attacked the siblings. These actions show not only concern and love, but they highlight the sacrifice that he is willing to make for his sister's safety. Scout's description of the attack was not very detailed, based on the fact that she was encased in the ham costume, but Jem's injury implies that he might have attempted to protect his sister, and got seriously injured as a result. His protective instincts, regarding his sister, is highly honed.
AUNT ALEXANDRIA
Determined
Aunt Alexandria is a very determined individual. Her lazer sharp focus was trained on ensuring that Scout acquired the attributes of a lady, which entailed changing the atmosphere of the Finch household. It was now abuzz with visitors and meetings, such as the Missionary Society meeting. Scout was expected to attend the meetings and to hold polite conversations with the visitors, like a perfect little Southern lady. Aunt Alexandria was determined to ensure that her niece acted in a ladylike manner. This mission, despite the fact that it irritated Scout, helped Scout because there is strength in being ladylike, and holding to traditions, especially during tough times. This was seen when Scout, Miss Maudie and Aunt Alexandria got the news that Tom Robinson had been killed, and Calpurnia had to leave, with Atticus, to break the news to Tom's wife. Miss Maudie, Scout and Aunt Alexandria, summoning the strength passed down by countless Southern ladies, absorbed the traumatic news, took a moment to assimilate, then returned to their meeting, serving the guests with grace and poise. This might appear to be a simple task to accomplish, but it took great discipline to don a placid face, and to play a polite host, when something has you off balanced emotionally. This is the value of Southern etiquette, being polite and gracious in all situations. This is the value that Aunt Alexandria wanted to teach Scout, discipline in the face of adversity.
JOHN HALE FINCH (JACK)
Disciplinarian
Despite being a minor character, Uncle Jack serves an important purpose. He exists to highlight that discipline is the hallmark of the Finch family. He is a disciplinarian because he ensured that Scout was properly punished after she fought with her cousin. His concern was with Scout's undisciplined behaviour. He was not concerned with why Scout fought her cousin, there will always be reasonable reasons why people are upset, it was her reaction to being upset that was the problem. It was an unrestrained reaction that had no thought behind it.
FRIENDS OF THE FINCH FAMILY:
CHARLES BAKER HARRIS (DILL)
Innocent
Dill is, perhaps, the most emotionally fragile of the children. He lived with a single mother and was sent to Maycombe in the summers. His fragility is seen when his mother remarried and the anticipation and joy that he felt at having a new father, as well as a traditional nuclear family. This hope was dashed when Scout found him under her bed, and learnt that he had run away because he felt neglected by his mother and new father 'they do get on a lot better without me, I can't help them any. They ain't mean. They buy me everything I want, but it's now-you've-got-to-go-play-with-it ... Boys get out and play baseball with other boys, they don't hang around the house worryin' their folks' (Lee, 149). Dill ran to the place where he felt most comfortable and loved, as a result of this feeling. This example highlights that Dill is an innocent and vulnerable soul that yearned for love. His innocence is further seen when he breaks down at Tom Robinson's trial 'Dill had started crying and couldn't stop; quietly at first, then his sobs were heard by several people in the the balcony' (Lee, 204). His innocence is shattered, at that point, because, like Jem, he believed that people should be treated fairly. The trial revealed that black people were not treated in the same manner as white people. Dill learnt, through Tom's trial, that life is unfair and filled with biases, racism being one of them.
MISS MAUDIE ATKINS
Wise
Miss Maudie is an influential force in Scout's, and the other children's, life. This is the case because she was able to give Scout, in particular, a different perspective on many difficult issues, one of which was her perception of Boo Radley. The standard perception of Boo was that he was a monster that did outlandish things, like stabbing his father. Miss Maudie humanized Boo, for Scout. He changed from a hideous ghost, to a man who deserved compassion, and to be seen, because he had a foot washing Baptist for a father who did not grant him an easy life 'There are just some kind of men who - who're so busy worrying about the next world they've never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.' (Lee, 51). Mr. Radley took no pleasure in life and, therefore, inflicted the results of this predilection on Boo. Miss Maudie also clarified, for the children, why Atticus was given Tom Robinson's case. She told them that he was purposefully given the case because the judge knew that he would do his best. Her wisdom, therefore, helped the children to come to terms with Atticus' role in the Tom Robinson trial. His role was to sacrifice himself, to bear the ignorant reactions, of treating a Black man fairly in a racist society. It was not an easy role to play, but he did it with grace because, according to Maudie 'we're paying him the highest tribute we can pay a man. We trust him to do right. It's that simple.' (Lee, 242). So, through her wisdom, Miss Maudie acts as the voice of reason in the novel. She helps the children to understand the weighty issues that they faced, as a result of the Tom Robinson trial. Lastly, Miss Maudie adds to the optimistic tone of the novel by highlighting the fact that race relations were shifting, due to the lengthy deliberation of the jurors.
IMPORTANT 'MINOR' CHARACTERS & THEIR DRAMATIC SIGNIFICANCE):
Minor characters are flat characters that serve particular purposes. The characters are flat because they do NOT change over time, they are not complex, but uni-dimensional, and are often stereotypical portrayals of human traits. They often exist to develop the plot, to highlight character traits of major characters, to highlight irony, dramatic irony and sarcasm, to highlight particular themes in the text and to highlight, or contribute to, conflict. In other words, their significance is to enhance the elements of Literature: plot, character, conflict, theme, setting.
BOO RADLEY
Boo is a mockingbird. This is the case because he is an innocent character that is treated terribly by his family, and the people of Maycombe. Two generations of patriarchs, his father and his brother, deliberately isolated him from the people of Maycombe by shutting him away in his house, because of an unfortunate incident in his youth. The citizens of Maycombe then built on this tragedy by treating him like an outcast. They made up stories about him, which only drove him further into a self imposed isolation. As a mockingbird, he contributes to plot development in the story. This is the case because the major characters, the children, are initially intrigued by his story and spent many hours, equaling a large percentage of the plot, retelling and re-enacting his story. He also ends up, by the end of the novel, saving the Jem and Scout. Therefore, despite the fact that he is a minor character, he plays a major role in the development of the plot.
TOM ROBINSON
Tom is also a mockingbird. He is a mockingbird because he is a kind individual, who tried to help another human being, and was punished for it. He tried to assist Mayella Ewell with her chores, because he is a kind and good person, but she accused him of attempted rape. The premise behind the idea of the mockingbird is that this person, like the mockingbird, does nothing to harm anyone, they go about their life in a peaceful manner, but are targeted for harm despite the innocent and harmless life that they lead. Tom's purpose in the novel, as a mockingbird, is to provide the major conflict in the novel and highlight the theme of racism.
He provides the major conflict in the novel because he is accused of a crime that he did not commit, which then garners reactions from the Maycombe community. This is a recipe for conflict because the Black community sees him as innocent, a small percentage of the white community agrees, while an overwhelmingly larger portion of the white community believe that he is guilty. This is indeed a recipe for conflict, as seen when Calpurnia took the Finch children to church with her. One particular congregant was not pleased with Calpurnia because she not only defied the rule of segregation, but she also did it a t a volatile time, when tempers were running high, due to the pending trial.
Tom also highlights the theme of racism because the accusation that was made against him was founded on racial principles. The Jim Crow Laws, in effect at that time, dictated that Blacks and whites could not co-habitat, or be romantically involved. Mayella Ewell attempted to seduce Tom Robinson, which was a breach of the law, so when she was caught in the act, she literally had no choice but to accuse Tom of rape 'She did something that in our society is unspeakable: she kissed a black man ... No code mattered to her before she broke it, but it came crashing down on her afterwards.' (Lee, 210). If she did not accuse him, she would have shamed herself and her family. So Tom being accused of rape is an act of racism in itself, because the accusation is supporting the institutionalized racism, Jim Crow Laws, of that era. The results of the accusation also highlights the theme of racism because Tom's wife could not get a job. This strongly implies that the white populace of Maycombe had convicted Tom, even before his trial. The conflict and racism that came about, because of Tom's presence in the novel, automatically leads to an advancement of the plot.
DOLPHUS RAYMOND
Dolphus can be classified as a mockingbird who highlights the theme of racism. This is the case because Dolphus simply wants to be with the woman that he loves, but is prevented from doing so because the woman that he loves happens to be Black. He is a mockingbird because society has prevented him from getting what he desires and, as such, he is forced to lie to attain his desires; he pretends that he is constantly drunk 'I try to give 'em a reason, you see. It helps folks if they can latch on to a reason. When I come to town, which is seldom, if I weave a little and drink out of this sack, folks can say Dolphus Raymond's in the clutches of whiskey - that's why he won't change his ways. He can't help himself, that's why he lives the way he does.' (Lee, 207). He sacrifices his reputation and any 'normal' life that he could have, in order to be with the woman that he loves. Through Dolphus, the reader realizes that racism does not only affect the Black citizens of Maycombe, but also the white ones. Institutional racism literally robs Dolphus of a 'normal' life.
MISS CAROLINE FISHER
Miss Fisher is Scout's teacher. Her purpose, in the novel, is to highlight the distinct irony that is inherent in racism. This is seen when she discusses Adolph Hitler with Scout's class. She talks about the unfairness of what is happening to the Jews, at the hands of Adolph Hitler and the Natzis, and sympathizes with them. She categorically stated that 'Over here we don't believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution comes comes from people who are prejudiced' (Lee, 251). It is clear that the teacher does not realize that she, along with most of the populace of Maycombe, were prejudice. She described herself, and the town, without knowing it. She stated that they, in the United States, in Maycombe, did not believe in persecuting anybody. The fact that the Black populace faced persecution, through a racist machinery, everyday, implies that they do not define the Black race as 'anybody', they were not granted the status of being people, somebodies, anybodies. She did not realize that the denigration of an ethnicity has its mirror image in Maycombe, in the form of the denigration of a race of people. The same way in which the Natzis did not view the Jews as human beings who are equal to them, is the same way that the citizens of Maycombe did not view the Blacks as humans who are equal to them. This sentiment is echoed by Dolphus Raymond when he was encouraging Dill to cry outside of the courthouse, 'Cry about the hell white people give coloured folks, without even stopping to think that they're people, too.' (Lee, 207).
MRS. HENRY LAFAYETTE DUBOSE
Mrs. Dubose advances the plot of the story because, through the experience of
ATTICUS
Good father
Atticus' status, as a good father, is one that is unquestionable. He spends quality time with his children, as is seen when he reads to them on different occasions. He also treats them like little adults because he really listens to them and makes compromises with them, in order to ensure that they do not feel powerless in the father/ son and father/ daughter relationship. The major examples of his being an exceptionally good father is seen in the lessons that he deliberatley teaches his children, as well as the fact that he takes advantage of the teachable moments that arise during their interactions.
Atticus ensures that his children learn life lessons that equip them to function as adults. One of the toughest lessons that he passes on to Jem is that effort is what counts, not the end result. He does this by explaining, to Jem, that he cannot win the Tom Robinson case, but that he has to try.
'Atticus, are we going to wim it?'
'Then why -'
'Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win' (Lee, 82).
The reality of this is brought home to Jem when, as predicted, Atticus loses the case. Jem is traumatized by this loss, because the evidence, or lack of evidence, clearly highlighted Tom's innocence. Jem did not understand the intricacies of racism, which overshadows a man's innocence. Atticus is a good father, in (www.bulbsoup.com) this situation, because he tried to prepare his son for the unfairness that is inherent in racism. He tells Jem that he has lost before he has even begun. When this becomes a reality, he soothes his son and gives him the companionable space that he needs to accept this bitter pill.
'It ain't right, Atticus,' said Jem.
'No son, it's not right.'
We walked home.
The second example is seen in the Mrs. Dubose incident. Jem got angry and pulverized Mrs. Dubose's bushes, when she insulted Atticus. Atticus' response, ironically, was to punish Jem by letting him read to Mrs. Dubose. This decision was made in an attempt to show Jem that a man must display discipline in the face of overwhelming emotions, and that he must be a gentleman, no matter the situation. The end of the visit, however, is where the reader sees the most important lesson, in this context, that Atticus tried to teach his son. He wanted Jem to realize that manhood is not based on the ability to shoot a gun, but on the ability to persevere through hardships, even if the battle cannot be won '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 you see it through no matter what. (Lee, 118)
The third example of Atticus' status as a good father is seen in how he relates to Scout. Scout tries to convince Atticus to allow her to stay home, like the Ewells, and not attend school. The fact that he is a good father is seen in the patience with which he listens to Scout, and really seems to consider her argument. He also presents a reasonable counter argument, for her argument, and compromises with a deal that is satisfactory to the both of them. This is parenting at the highest level because he does not rob Scout of her voice. He respects his daughter by listening to her and taking her 'small' issue very seriously. He then compromises with her, allowing her to maintain her dignity and sense of fair play.
Considerate and non-racist
These two traits are linked because, in Atticus' case, one informs the other. The fact that he is not a racist person, impacts his classification as a considerate individual. He is not racist because he actually defends Tom Robinson, instead of 'slacking off', which would have been accepted by the townspeople. He defends Tom to the best of his ability in the courtroom, as is seen in his cross examination of Mayella Ewell. He even sits outside of the jailhouse, with a gun, when he felt that Tom was in danger. His non racist status is also highlighted by Calpurnia's status in the Finch household. Calpurnia is more than the household help, she is a mother figure to the two Finch children. Therefore, the boundary between employer and employee and black versus white have been blurred, even erased, in the Finch's household. This has to be the case, for Calpurnia to operate like a mother figure. In fact, when Scout asked her father to fire Calpurnia, Atticus admits that they could not function without her. This highlights that he accepts, and endorses, Calpurnia's equal (to him) and superior (to the children) status in his household.
The fact that he is considerate is shown in the fact that he tries to be fair, by always putting himself in other people's shoes, and this trait is fed by the fact that Atticus does not appear to see colour. There are several instances of Atticus' considerate nature:
- When the children take Walter Cunningham home for lunch, Atticus instantly engages the child and makes him feel comfortable at his table. He ignores the fact that Walter has different habits, pouring syrup over his food, and simply meets the child at his level.
- When the chilldren play acted Boo Radley's life, he had a conversation with them about being considerate of others. He did not want them acting out rumours of Boo's life, right in front of his window.
- When Mrs. Radley was ill, he told the children that they had to be quiet during the day. This was because he did not want them disturbing the Radley household.
- When Atticus cross examined Mayella Ewell, he was very respectful and tried to be as subtle as he could be when approaching sensitive subject matter. In fact, he was so aware, and therefore considerate, of Mayella's feelings, that she thought that he was insulting her.
- When Atticus was going to inform Mrs. Robinson of Tom's death, he went home to get Calpurnia because he thought that she could, somehow, assist in softening the blow of such tragic news.
- When he received food from the Black community, as payment for giving his all in defense of Tom Robinson, Atticus wanted to return all the food. He knew that the contributors could not afford to give away their food.
A gentleman
Atticus is the epitome of a southern gentleman. This is the case because he treats the women that he encounters with care and consideration. When Scout wanted to quit school, Atticus did not pull an authoritarian parent act on Scout, instead, like a true gentleman, he listened to her and then reached a compromise. The same approach is taken with Aunt Alexandria. Aunt Alexandria visits his home and disturbs the order of the home, yet he is always polite. They have one visible altercation, during Aunt Alexandria's visit, but even in that context he maintains discipline and restraint in dealing with her. His approach to Mayella, on the stand, also highlights the fact that he is a gentleman. He is very polite to her, so much so that, in her ignorance, she mistakes it for sarcasm.
CALPURNIA
A Mother figure
Calpurnia is a mother figure to the Finch children. This can be seen in the manner that she assumes ownership of the children. When Scout, in the initial chapters, comments on Walter Cunningham's use of syrup in his food, she absolutely reprimands Scout, like a mother would, because there is an implied feeling of ownership and intimacy, on Calpurnia's part 'Calpurnia sent me through the swinging door to the dining room with a stinging slap ... I told Calpurnia to just wait I'd fix her: one of these days when she wasn't looking I'd go off and drown myself in Barker's Eddy and then she'd be sorry ... "Hush your fussin",' she said' (Lee, 30-31). Scout's response to this incident, which is to ask her father to fire Calpurnia, highlights that Scout identifies this feeling of ownership and blanches at it. Despite this response, however, there is an underlying acceptance of Calpurnia's authority over her. Scout knows that this is a person, who is not her mother, taking on the role of her mother, yet there is a familiarity between them that allows her to threaten Calpurnia with harming herself. She chooses this threat because there is an underlying knowledge that Calpurnia would be hurt by this, strongly pointing to a loving, though antagonistic, link between the two characters.
Probably the most important thing that Calpurnia does for Scout, which demonstrates her role as a surrogate mother to Scout, is when she offers Scout her time, and company, when Jem became inconsistent and moody 'He's gonna want to be off to himself a lot now, doin' whatever boys do, so you just come right on in the kitchen when you feel lonesome. We'll find lots of things to do in her' (Lee, 121). This highlights that the love that Scout takes for granted, when she childishly threatens to drown herself, is a real thing. Calpurnia understood that Scout might feel rejected and lonely as a result of her brother's new attitude, so she offers Scout her time and company. Calpurnia saw an emotional need and she filled the gap. The reader also learns that Calpurnia inadvertently taught Scout to read 'Besides, I added, she'd already got me in trouble once today: she had taught me to read and write' (Lee, 31). She would give Scout writing exercises, and the fact that Scout had to do the tasks, speaks to Calpurnia's role as a mother figure, with authority, in her life. Mothers are not just caregivers, but teachers as well, and Calpurnia falls within this category.
Flexible
Calpurnia is a flexible character. This can be seen in the fact that she is comfortable around her educated white employer, as well as around her own race. Calpurnia can easily flow between speaking to the Finch children, and then addressing a member of her race, which require different linguistic skills/ knowledge. An example of this can be seen when she takes the children to her church, which is segregated. The difference in speech, between the Finches and the Black characters, becomes apparent when Scout notes that 'I thought her voice strange: She was talking like the rest of them.' (Lee, 125). it is clear that Calpurnia speaks to the children one way, and her peers another way. Calpurnia, however, is able to traverse the two cultural and language barriers, thereby enabling her to communicate, effectively, with both races.
JEAN LOUIS FINCH (SCOUT)
Guileless
The word guileless means innocent and without deception. This word describes Scout because her actions are guileless. The first example of this is seen when Scout tried to help her teacher by educating her about the fact that Walter did not want to borrow the money for his lunch because he would not be able to repay it 'You're shamin' him, Miss Caroline. Walter hasn't got a quarter at home to bring you, and you can't use any stovewood' (Lee, 27). Her actions were devoid of malice or ill intent, but her teacher did not interpret it in this manner. Scout, the older narrator, commented that 'If I could have explained these things to Miss Caroline, I would have saved myself some inconvenience and Miss Caroline subsequent mortifications, but it was beyond my ability to explain things as well as Atticus' (Lee, 27). Miss Caroline thought that Scout had overstepped her boundaries and was being disrespectful to her. A second example of this character trait is when the children followed Atticus to the jail, and Scout interrupted what could have been a disastrous encounter between Atticus and Tom Robinson's 'visitors'. Scout simply stepped between the men and began asking them about mundane things. Her actions literally diffused a very tense atmosphere and gave the adults time to rethink their intended actions. In each case, Scout's actions were done with the innocent intention to help, without any deceptive intentions. this categorizes Scout as guileless.
Loyal
Scout was very loyal to Jem. This can be seen when she does not abandon him when he is punished for destroying Mrs. Dubose's camelia bushes. Instead, she goes with him, every single evening, to serve his punishment. By doing this, she purposefully shared in his punishment, a side effect that she did not have to endure. This level of loyalty shows the love that she had for her brother, because she sacrifices her freedom to share in his punishment. The reader also sees Scout anxiety regarding Jem's decision to go back for his pants. Her worry is clear, especially based on the circumstances under which his pants was left on the the fence in the first place. Her relief is clear when he arrived safely home, which, again, highlights the fact that loyalty and love are intertwined traits for Scout.
Tomboy
Scout can be described as a tomboy. A tomboy is a girl that shows interest in activities that are typically related to boys. The first thing that hints at this trait being strong, in relation to Scout, is that she manages to keep up with her brother and Dill. Whatever activities they were doing, from playacting Boo Radley's life, to rolling in tires, Scout was not only involved, but excelled at it. This trait is highlighted, particularly, when Aunt Alexandria decided to spend time with Atticus and his children. She tried her best to teach Scout how to act like a Southern lady, lessons which were not appreciated by Scout. It is in this lack of appreciation for the traits, and actions, of a Southern lady that most points to the fact that Scout is a Tomboy. She did not appreciate being cooped up in the house and drinking tea during one of Aunt Alexandria's meetings.
JEREMY ATTICUS FINCH (JEM)
Disciplined & mature
Jem is the character that shows the most growth in the novel. He goes from being a little boy who plays childish games with his sister and friend, Dill, to a young man who learns valuable lessons as the plot progresses. He learns discipline, through the incident with Mrs. Dubose's garden. In a fit of rage, after Mrs. Dubose insulted Atticus, Jem destroyed the old lady's chamelia bush. His punishment, which was ironically issued by Atticus, was to sit and read to Mrs. Dubose in the evenings. Jem's level of discipline is seen when he stoically obeys his father, and even grudgingly agrees to the extension of his punishment. Jem also returns for his pants after he was forced to leave them at the Radley house. This shows both discipline and growth (maturity) on his part because he literally just did what had to be done, despite the pressing physical danger. Jem knew that he had to retrieve the pants because if it was found, he, along with his friends, would get in trouble. So, he thought beyond himself, which shows growth and maturity, and then executed a solution, which highlights the fact that he is disciplined.
Innocent
Jem displays innocence when he believed, despite the warning from Atticus, that Tom Robinson would not be convicted. He did not see Maycombe with an adult's eye, but with the eyes of an innocent child. He did not realize that the lack of evidence against Tom would not stop the all white jurors from convicting a black man in a case where it is his word against a white woman's. He did not understand the the mechanisms of racism. Jem pays for this innocence because he is traumatized by the guilty verdict. It shakes his innocent world that dictated that 1 + 1 = 2. If there is no evidence, there must be no conviction. The jurors did not need the evidence, in fact, the trial itself was unnecessary. The minute Mayella pointed a finger at Tom, it was his doom.
A good brother
Jem can be unequivocally classified as a good big brother because he looks out for his sister. One instance of him taking the role of care taker is when he advises his sister against eating the gum that they found in the knot hole, as well as defending her against Bob Ewell when he attacked the siblings. These actions show not only concern and love, but they highlight the sacrifice that he is willing to make for his sister's safety. Scout's description of the attack was not very detailed, based on the fact that she was encased in the ham costume, but Jem's injury implies that he might have attempted to protect his sister, and got seriously injured as a result. His protective instincts, regarding his sister, is highly honed.
AUNT ALEXANDRIA
Determined
Aunt Alexandria is a very determined individual. Her lazer sharp focus was trained on ensuring that Scout acquired the attributes of a lady, which entailed changing the atmosphere of the Finch household. It was now abuzz with visitors and meetings, such as the Missionary Society meeting. Scout was expected to attend the meetings and to hold polite conversations with the visitors, like a perfect little Southern lady. Aunt Alexandria was determined to ensure that her niece acted in a ladylike manner. This mission, despite the fact that it irritated Scout, helped Scout because there is strength in being ladylike, and holding to traditions, especially during tough times. This was seen when Scout, Miss Maudie and Aunt Alexandria got the news that Tom Robinson had been killed, and Calpurnia had to leave, with Atticus, to break the news to Tom's wife. Miss Maudie, Scout and Aunt Alexandria, summoning the strength passed down by countless Southern ladies, absorbed the traumatic news, took a moment to assimilate, then returned to their meeting, serving the guests with grace and poise. This might appear to be a simple task to accomplish, but it took great discipline to don a placid face, and to play a polite host, when something has you off balanced emotionally. This is the value of Southern etiquette, being polite and gracious in all situations. This is the value that Aunt Alexandria wanted to teach Scout, discipline in the face of adversity.
JOHN HALE FINCH (JACK)
Disciplinarian
Despite being a minor character, Uncle Jack serves an important purpose. He exists to highlight that discipline is the hallmark of the Finch family. He is a disciplinarian because he ensured that Scout was properly punished after she fought with her cousin. His concern was with Scout's undisciplined behaviour. He was not concerned with why Scout fought her cousin, there will always be reasonable reasons why people are upset, it was her reaction to being upset that was the problem. It was an unrestrained reaction that had no thought behind it.
FRIENDS OF THE FINCH FAMILY:
CHARLES BAKER HARRIS (DILL)
Innocent
Dill is, perhaps, the most emotionally fragile of the children. He lived with a single mother and was sent to Maycombe in the summers. His fragility is seen when his mother remarried and the anticipation and joy that he felt at having a new father, as well as a traditional nuclear family. This hope was dashed when Scout found him under her bed, and learnt that he had run away because he felt neglected by his mother and new father 'they do get on a lot better without me, I can't help them any. They ain't mean. They buy me everything I want, but it's now-you've-got-to-go-play-with-it ... Boys get out and play baseball with other boys, they don't hang around the house worryin' their folks' (Lee, 149). Dill ran to the place where he felt most comfortable and loved, as a result of this feeling. This example highlights that Dill is an innocent and vulnerable soul that yearned for love. His innocence is further seen when he breaks down at Tom Robinson's trial 'Dill had started crying and couldn't stop; quietly at first, then his sobs were heard by several people in the the balcony' (Lee, 204). His innocence is shattered, at that point, because, like Jem, he believed that people should be treated fairly. The trial revealed that black people were not treated in the same manner as white people. Dill learnt, through Tom's trial, that life is unfair and filled with biases, racism being one of them.
MISS MAUDIE ATKINS
Wise
Miss Maudie is an influential force in Scout's, and the other children's, life. This is the case because she was able to give Scout, in particular, a different perspective on many difficult issues, one of which was her perception of Boo Radley. The standard perception of Boo was that he was a monster that did outlandish things, like stabbing his father. Miss Maudie humanized Boo, for Scout. He changed from a hideous ghost, to a man who deserved compassion, and to be seen, because he had a foot washing Baptist for a father who did not grant him an easy life 'There are just some kind of men who - who're so busy worrying about the next world they've never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.' (Lee, 51). Mr. Radley took no pleasure in life and, therefore, inflicted the results of this predilection on Boo. Miss Maudie also clarified, for the children, why Atticus was given Tom Robinson's case. She told them that he was purposefully given the case because the judge knew that he would do his best. Her wisdom, therefore, helped the children to come to terms with Atticus' role in the Tom Robinson trial. His role was to sacrifice himself, to bear the ignorant reactions, of treating a Black man fairly in a racist society. It was not an easy role to play, but he did it with grace because, according to Maudie 'we're paying him the highest tribute we can pay a man. We trust him to do right. It's that simple.' (Lee, 242). So, through her wisdom, Miss Maudie acts as the voice of reason in the novel. She helps the children to understand the weighty issues that they faced, as a result of the Tom Robinson trial. Lastly, Miss Maudie adds to the optimistic tone of the novel by highlighting the fact that race relations were shifting, due to the lengthy deliberation of the jurors.
IMPORTANT 'MINOR' CHARACTERS & THEIR DRAMATIC SIGNIFICANCE):
Minor characters are flat characters that serve particular purposes. The characters are flat because they do NOT change over time, they are not complex, but uni-dimensional, and are often stereotypical portrayals of human traits. They often exist to develop the plot, to highlight character traits of major characters, to highlight irony, dramatic irony and sarcasm, to highlight particular themes in the text and to highlight, or contribute to, conflict. In other words, their significance is to enhance the elements of Literature: plot, character, conflict, theme, setting.
BOO RADLEY
Boo is a mockingbird. This is the case because he is an innocent character that is treated terribly by his family, and the people of Maycombe. Two generations of patriarchs, his father and his brother, deliberately isolated him from the people of Maycombe by shutting him away in his house, because of an unfortunate incident in his youth. The citizens of Maycombe then built on this tragedy by treating him like an outcast. They made up stories about him, which only drove him further into a self imposed isolation. As a mockingbird, he contributes to plot development in the story. This is the case because the major characters, the children, are initially intrigued by his story and spent many hours, equaling a large percentage of the plot, retelling and re-enacting his story. He also ends up, by the end of the novel, saving the Jem and Scout. Therefore, despite the fact that he is a minor character, he plays a major role in the development of the plot.
TOM ROBINSON
Tom is also a mockingbird. He is a mockingbird because he is a kind individual, who tried to help another human being, and was punished for it. He tried to assist Mayella Ewell with her chores, because he is a kind and good person, but she accused him of attempted rape. The premise behind the idea of the mockingbird is that this person, like the mockingbird, does nothing to harm anyone, they go about their life in a peaceful manner, but are targeted for harm despite the innocent and harmless life that they lead. Tom's purpose in the novel, as a mockingbird, is to provide the major conflict in the novel and highlight the theme of racism.
He provides the major conflict in the novel because he is accused of a crime that he did not commit, which then garners reactions from the Maycombe community. This is a recipe for conflict because the Black community sees him as innocent, a small percentage of the white community agrees, while an overwhelmingly larger portion of the white community believe that he is guilty. This is indeed a recipe for conflict, as seen when Calpurnia took the Finch children to church with her. One particular congregant was not pleased with Calpurnia because she not only defied the rule of segregation, but she also did it a t a volatile time, when tempers were running high, due to the pending trial.
Tom also highlights the theme of racism because the accusation that was made against him was founded on racial principles. The Jim Crow Laws, in effect at that time, dictated that Blacks and whites could not co-habitat, or be romantically involved. Mayella Ewell attempted to seduce Tom Robinson, which was a breach of the law, so when she was caught in the act, she literally had no choice but to accuse Tom of rape 'She did something that in our society is unspeakable: she kissed a black man ... No code mattered to her before she broke it, but it came crashing down on her afterwards.' (Lee, 210). If she did not accuse him, she would have shamed herself and her family. So Tom being accused of rape is an act of racism in itself, because the accusation is supporting the institutionalized racism, Jim Crow Laws, of that era. The results of the accusation also highlights the theme of racism because Tom's wife could not get a job. This strongly implies that the white populace of Maycombe had convicted Tom, even before his trial. The conflict and racism that came about, because of Tom's presence in the novel, automatically leads to an advancement of the plot.
DOLPHUS RAYMOND
Dolphus can be classified as a mockingbird who highlights the theme of racism. This is the case because Dolphus simply wants to be with the woman that he loves, but is prevented from doing so because the woman that he loves happens to be Black. He is a mockingbird because society has prevented him from getting what he desires and, as such, he is forced to lie to attain his desires; he pretends that he is constantly drunk 'I try to give 'em a reason, you see. It helps folks if they can latch on to a reason. When I come to town, which is seldom, if I weave a little and drink out of this sack, folks can say Dolphus Raymond's in the clutches of whiskey - that's why he won't change his ways. He can't help himself, that's why he lives the way he does.' (Lee, 207). He sacrifices his reputation and any 'normal' life that he could have, in order to be with the woman that he loves. Through Dolphus, the reader realizes that racism does not only affect the Black citizens of Maycombe, but also the white ones. Institutional racism literally robs Dolphus of a 'normal' life.
MISS CAROLINE FISHER
Miss Fisher is Scout's teacher. Her purpose, in the novel, is to highlight the distinct irony that is inherent in racism. This is seen when she discusses Adolph Hitler with Scout's class. She talks about the unfairness of what is happening to the Jews, at the hands of Adolph Hitler and the Natzis, and sympathizes with them. She categorically stated that 'Over here we don't believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution comes comes from people who are prejudiced' (Lee, 251). It is clear that the teacher does not realize that she, along with most of the populace of Maycombe, were prejudice. She described herself, and the town, without knowing it. She stated that they, in the United States, in Maycombe, did not believe in persecuting anybody. The fact that the Black populace faced persecution, through a racist machinery, everyday, implies that they do not define the Black race as 'anybody', they were not granted the status of being people, somebodies, anybodies. She did not realize that the denigration of an ethnicity has its mirror image in Maycombe, in the form of the denigration of a race of people. The same way in which the Natzis did not view the Jews as human beings who are equal to them, is the same way that the citizens of Maycombe did not view the Blacks as humans who are equal to them. This sentiment is echoed by Dolphus Raymond when he was encouraging Dill to cry outside of the courthouse, 'Cry about the hell white people give coloured folks, without even stopping to think that they're people, too.' (Lee, 207).
MRS. HENRY LAFAYETTE DUBOSE
Mrs. Dubose advances the plot of the story because, through the experience of