To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee: Character Analysis

Words: 798
Pages: 4
Open Document
Before you really know a person, you judge them by their reputation. For years, reputation helped criminal investigations for picking suspects. If you have a reputation of being dangerous, people are going to avoid you. It doesn't matter if you changed, because someone else might not know the real side of you. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee claims reputation is not always accurate, making it misleading, and this is true in today’s society. Harper Lee shows that reputation is not accurate with Boo Radley. For example, Boo Radley has a reputation of being a monster because he supposedly stabbed his dad with scissors. Even though nobody actually knows Boo Radley personally, it doesn't stop them from acting like they do. Scout was told many rumors about Boo Radley, so in her mind Boo Radley’s reputation was being a psychopath. In the book, Scout thought to …show more content…
Tom Robinson is looked at as less than a human because he is black. In the 1930’s, racism was a huge part of society. Most of the people that were black in the 30’s were treated terribly. In the book, Jem mentioned, “They don’t belong anywhere.”(215) Scout and Jem were talking about children who were half black and half white, and that nobody wants them. This relates to Tom Robinson because in the book, white people don’t care about him. In the book, the jury found Tom Robinson to be guilty due to his skin color. The reason why Tom lost the jury was because the jury was all whites, and didn't want a black man to win. In the courtroom in the 30’s, this was a very common thing. White people felt superior over blacks, so why should a black man win a case? In the book, Mr. Underwood mentioned, “Tom Robinson was a dead man the day Mayella opened her mouth and screamed.”(323) The reason why Mr. Underwood said this is because in Tom’s case, it would be impossible to win. This proves that reputation can be completely
Show More

Related Documents: To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee: Character Analysis

Character Analysis: To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

In to kill a mockingbird Dill is motivated by fear to do many things for attention. For a character like Dill, he is a compulsive liar; he wants the people around him to feel bad for him, to show him more attention because of what he tells them. Dill was sent to stay with his aunt every summer and because that he always wanted to talk about his parents. One of the many lies Dill told to Jem and Scout was that his dad was the president of L&N Railroad. Whenever Dill said things like “I helped the…

Words 335 - Pages 2

Character Analysis: To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird In to kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee demonstrates that children grow in their understanding of justice as they mature. Scouts initial understanding of justice is that if something is right then the world will see it. My first example is when Scout reacts to not being able to read after her teacher trys to prevent her. When scout is not allowed to read she learns that even though she should be allowed to what is right doesn't always happen and the rules aren't always fair but…

Words 281 - Pages 2

To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee: Character Analysis

Have you ever felt your morals being influenced by different factors? What makes you judge what is right and wrong? In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the setting is Maycomb, Alabama, during the height of racism and the Great Depression. Jean Louise, nicknamed Scout, is young and fighting to find what is right and wrong. Every aspect of her morals is being formed as she questions whether whites and black are equal. Many things can influence your morals and judgement. Three of the main factors…

Words 816 - Pages 4

Character Analysis Of Calpurnia In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

Calpurnia is considered to be an essential asset to the Finch family’s household. Besides being a maid and doing all the cooking, cleaning, and caring of the house, she has many other responsibilities. She acts as a maternal figure and a disciplinarian in the lives of Scout and Jem. When Scout and Jem both leave to go to school, Calpurnia feels their absence and had to turn on the radio to distract herself. Calpurnia has always told Scout what to do and how to behave properly, to the extent that…

Words 309 - Pages 2

Character Analysis Of Atticus In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

In the book To “Kill a Mockingbird” Atticus is a very genuine and kind man. He strives to show great fatherly instincts when he is raising his two young children. As a lawyer Atticus is very loaded with tasks he is responsible for, but always tries to be fair. However he still keeps his great relationship with friends and family. In the story Atticus is outrageously kind to everyone he comes in contact with. Consequently he tries to put himself in other people's shoes. He does not think about…

Words 480 - Pages 2

Character Analysis Of Atticus In To Kill A Mockingbird, By Harper Lee

In this passage it shows how Atticus felt about the night before when Walter Cunningham, along with other men, tried to attack him. What I felt was most important was how Atticus referred to them as wild animals but then when they came to their sense he called them human. “...that a gang of wild animals can be stopped, simply because they’re still human.” (line 21-22) He later goes on to tell Jem that even a small girl can stop them. I think this goes to show how small acts can change the way people…

Words 363 - Pages 2

Character Analysis Of Atticus In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

arrogant. Your characteristics determine how you contribute to society. In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus is given a case to defend a man named Thomas Robinson. Atticus is unbiased towards the fact that he is a black man. Atticus stands up for Tom Robinson by actually trying to defend him. “Yeah, but Atticus aims to defend him. That’s what I don’t like about it”(To Kill A Mockingbird page 186). Atticus knows he could get hurt or disrespected by helping Thomas Robinson but…

Words 410 - Pages 2

Character Analysis Of Atticus Finch In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

will receive the best childhood that he can provide them with. The fundamental and often universal theme shown throughout To Kill A Mockingbird is the difference between good and evil in the world.…

Words 668 - Pages 3

Character Analysis Of Boo Radley In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

book “To Kill a Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee is an example of how life was during the segregation between blacks and white. Atticus says, “Remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird,” which this refers to the title To Kill a Mockingbird”, by meaning that a mockingbird doesn’t do anything to people but be nice. So, it would be a sin to kill one if the mockingbird isn’t bothering anyone or did nothing wrong. In the Book, the Mockingbird is a symbol for Boo Radley. The symbol of the mockingbird support…

Words 709 - Pages 3

Character Analysis Of Atticus Finch In To Kill A Mockingbird, By Harper Lee

them through it. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, a father raises up his children with many lessons. The author shows how Atticus Finch teaches his children three most important lessons throughout the novel. Atticus demonstrates what courage is, the importance of moral principles, and to not judge others. That being said, Atticus Finch teaches his children courage, moral principles, and about judgement in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. One of the three lessons Atticus…

Words 681 - Pages 3