Character Development In To Kill A Mockingbird

"To Kill a Mockingbird" is a novel written by the American author Harper Lee. The Story took in the time of the Great Depression, the story follows young Scout Finch, her brother Jem, and their father, the morally upright lawyer Atticus Finch, throughout the story it revolves around Atticus defending a black man named Tom Robinson, who has been falsely accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Well. Despite compelling evidence in favor of Tom’s innocence, the racially biased jury finds Tom Robinson guilty. The character of Atticus Finch serves as a beacon of morality, a figure who not only upholds justice but also personifies it. Through his actions and words, Atticus demonstrates an unwavering commitment to fairness and empathy, ultimately

“ To Kill a Mockingbird” is a story about a county in Alabama in the 1930’s, drawing attention to the the different social classes in the South and the racism that occurred during that time. Characters in difficult situations unexpectedly showing courage is one of the major themes in this book, and is shown through many of the actions that people take in this story. In the book, the word courage can be defined as the ability to withstand hatred and judgement with a high head and a grateful heart. This book has many courageous characters, including but not limited to Atticus Finch, Reverend Sykes, Boo Radley, and Dolphus Raymond.

Let’s begin with Atticus. Atticus Finch has a significant part to play in not only the book, but in the theme of courageousness. To start off, Atticus show a great deal of courage when he decided to defend Tom Robinson in his case, even if he knew they had no chance of winning. In response to Scout’s question of why he would still take the case if he know he wouldn't win he said, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” This shows that Atticus still wanted the truth to be heard in court even if the jury was going to believe the testimony of a lying white

Scout asks Atticus the reason why he is representing Tom. He says, “‘Scout, simply by the nature of the work, every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally. This one’s mine, I guess’” (Lee 78). Every lawyer can receive a case that could potentially ruin their reputation.

Harper Lee, a skillful and well-known novelist in the 1960s, utilizes various life lessons in her writings. In her acclaimed novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, the prominent theme revolves around the loss of innocence and the journey of maturation. Scout, the main character and narrator of the story, discovers how cruel and unfair the world can be as a young child. She develops an awareness of the social inequality in her community by witnessing Tom Robinson’s trial. Scout and Jem faces the bitter reality of racism through the living conditions in Maycomb, Alabama.

Do people really change? All characters show significant changes and growth development. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows a lot of growth development. People always change they develop. Scout and Jem develop their characters a lot threw this novel.

“You never really understand someone until you consider things from his perspective,” (Lee 30). To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper E Lee, illustrates the life of Jem and Scout as they go upon racial and pessimistic struggles of the nineteen sixties. With a community hinged on the verdict of an upcoming trial considering the case of a black man, Tom Robson, and the conspiracy of Bob and Mayella Ewell. The To Kill a MockingBird movie however, has several differences that vary the mood of the story, and Scout’s overall character development.

Harper Lee uses many techniques in To Kill a Mockingbird to achieve the goal of character development. One way Harper Lee exhibits this is by using inner thinking when Scout holds back from fighting Cecil. Scout is eager to fight Cecil because he was making fun of her father, Atticus, for defending a black man in court who goes by the name of Tom Robinson. In chapter nine, Scout was ready to throw a punch but realizes that would not make matters better. “My fists were clenched and I was ready to let fly … I was far too old and too big for such childish things, and the sooner I learn to hold it in, the better off everybody would be” (Lee, 99).

Atticus honestly tried his best to win the case for Tom, but the town had already made their decision when they first heard of the case. It took incredible courage to defend a black man in the 1930s. He tells Scout “ Simply because we are licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” Atticus also displayed courage when he stood in front of the jail and protected Tom. He knew a mob of drunk countrymen would try to pull something and he was right.

As Atticus is talking to Scout, he remarks that “every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally. This one’s mine, I guess” (Lee 101). Atticus knows that accepting the opportunity to defend Tom Robinson in court is dangerous because it will put him and his family in an unforgiving situation. Furthermore, Atticus expresses courage when he frequently states, “it's not time to worry yet” (Lee 139).

Although he is appointed to defend Tom Robinson, Atticus does his best to prove Tom’s innocence, despite the ridicule imposed on him and his family. When Scout asks why Atticus is defending Tom he responds with, “For a number of reasons… The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this country in legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (Lee 100). This shows that Atticus has a strong sense of righteousness and will affirm to what is right.

Atticus tells Scout after she was told by a fellow schoolmate he was defence a black man he replied with “...if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this country in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something” (pg 100) This displays that he believes if he doesn’t do his job just because he is defending a black man he isn’t anyone anymore. He failed to prove he isn’t prejudice on the job. He failed to show that he can empathize for a fellow human being. Also, he explains to Scout minutes later that he know he can’t relinquish just yet just because of others prejudices because: “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.”

To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Introduction To Kill A Mockingbird (TKAM) written by Harper Lee is a novel that reflects the notions of conscience, courage, and conviction through the eyes of Jean Louise (Scout) Finch. The novel takes you on an investigation with this little girl, Scout as she matures and grows by lessons taught to her by her wise father, Atticus Finch. Scout is living throughout the Great Depression in her small town Maycomb Country and experiences prejudice and racism through the events which span across the novel. Scout matures into a genuine and respectful girl and learns many important lessons from her father which teach her how to see the good in people and to never judge a person based on the colour of their skin or their

While one of the main themes of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is understanding another human’s perspective. Scout Finch, the story’s protagonist, shows growth and maturity as she learns to deal with the injustice of a prejudiced society. Scout is a young girl from Alabama whose father, Atticus Finch, is asked to defend an African-American man who is charged with rape. The southern way of life during the Great Depression would not allow Tom Robinson a fair trial, and Scout and her brother Jem are forced to deal with a county’s ignorance and racist attitudes. While in the beginning of the book Scout seems to be an innocent, naive little girl, she matures as time goes on and ultimately learns the lessons her father wants her to understand.

Atticus shows determination by fighting for an African American while being discouraged by the white citizens of his town. When Scout asks Atticus why he’s defending Tom even though people of the town had started talking bad about it , he says “‘Scout, you aren’t old enough to understand somethings yet, but there’s been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending this man. … the main [reason] is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town.’”