One main character of the novel called To Kill A Mockingbird is Jean Louise Finch, otherwise known Scout, and during the period the book takes place and is a tomboy. We see her realize certain things, such as expectations in her society. The next main character is Atticus Finch who is a lawyer for Maycomb and he is assigned to represent Tom Robinson during a case. He is a widower and has two children and is not racist like many townsfolk of Maycomb. The next main character is Jeremey Finch, also known as Jem and he is Jean’s brother and is four years her senior. He is a best friend to her as well as a protector.
Then there’s Calpurnia, who is the Finch’s black housekeeper. She is as close as a mother to Jeremy and Jean and is one of the few black people who can read and write. After Calpurnia, it is Aunt Alexandra, who is Atticus’ sister.
She is seen as a reinforcer of femininity for Jean. Finally, there’s Maudie Atkinson who helps the children understand Atticus and the community they live in. 2. This story is told from Jean’s perspective. I know this because she is referred to by Jean/Scout throughout the entire novel. 3. This novel takes place in Maycomb, Alabama and is set during the Great Depression.
Many people during this era were still very racist because the Civil War was 70 years before this, making the racism still very recent. Also, during this time, ignorance created great prejudice. 4. One complication that Jean has is that the school won’t teach her how to read or write. Another complication is when she tells Miss Caroline of Walter’s family social class and tells her that he wouldn’t be able to repay her. Then there is the complication about her being way ahead of her years and not respecting her teachers. 5. The main external conflict in the novel is the court case for Tom Robinson.
Tom, a black person, is accused of raping a white woman named Mayella Ewell. 6. In my opinion, I think that the greatest internal conflict that Jean faces is the way she interprets people due to their family as opposed to judging them as a whole and as a person. In her community, she is taught to believe that families are prone to certain things and it isn’t until she gets to know Atticus more does her opinion change and her views in the townsfolk become like her father’s. 7.
The main external conflict was solved, just not in the way it should have been. Tom Robinson was found guilty of a crime he did not commit and the real one who was guilty walked away scot-free. Jean’s internal conflict was solved in the end because she decided to go the way her father saw things.
8. The climax of the novel is when Tom Robinson is found guilty. 9. One theme of this novel is that the impact of people’s (mis)treatment are based on fear and stereotypes.
It’s shown during the novel with how the Maycomb townsfolk view the families based on previous family members and how they treat the black people lower than the lowest of their own social pyramid. 10. The predominant symbol of this novel is a mockingbird. They are perceived as beings of innocence. Essentially to kill a mocking bird is to destroy innocence. Many characters, such as Tom Robinson and Boo Radley, could be classified as mockingbirds and they are torn down, but in Tom’s case, he was killed.
