TKM Characters Flashcards
Scout points
Narrator
Gender
Innocence
Growing up
Scout as a narrator
Scout is based on harper Lee herself, who would have been around scouts age in the 1930s when the novel is set.
Narrational structure is told by Scout looking back on what she remembers of the events of her childhood, this is similar to Lee, as an adult was writing the novel, she was looking back at her past
The use of both adult and child voice ensure that the theme of innocence is developed but also the understanding is kept
Although the focus of the novel is mainly on the teachings of Atticus rather than scout, the decision to portray these teachings through the eyes of his daughter make them seem more effective - we can see the real impact of these lessons on a person
Scout Gender
Scout does not conform to the gender roles expected of her at the time the novel is set, much to the disappointment of some family members
This immediately presents her as different from her peers, a theme which is continued throughout the novel
Due to her surroundings by men she begins to see her gender as a bad thing - she is constrained by her gender norms at the time and wishes to take a more active role in society like her father. However as the novel progresses she realises that being a girl is not necessarily a bad thing and challenges her own ingrained sexism. - This expands on the theme of prejudice, scout is in some way prejudice against women, but learns that this is wrong through the course of the novel showing her growth.
Therefore the significants of scouts gender lies in her journey of overcoming prejudice, and as part of the characterisation that she does not fit in with common society
Youth / innocence
Bc of her youth scout is easily impressionable, this allows Atticus’s teachings to be more easily portrayed - This draws to the theme of education, the different ways children learn in school and out of it
This is a key way at looking at society because she is naturally curious about what is happening, and does not understand certain societal norm, so is able to question them and therefore make the reader question them
Since the novel mainly focuses on the acts of adults, it is essential that with a first person narrative to have an outsider perspective - an almost neutral view so these can be properly examined
Scout Growing up
Scout matures a lot throughout the novel
This can be seen by the way she sees boo Radley at the start of the novel vs the way she sees him at the end
The development of scout is used to show the effects of lessons Atticus had taught her - showing that they were good
Atticus key points
Masculinity
Father figure
Justice
Morality
Masculinity
Masculinity is portrayed in a very progressive way throughout the novel. This can be seen in Atticus who is not the most typically masculine man of the era the novel is set - he does not play football with most men, does not help get furniture out of Miss Maudie house when it is on fire. This shows his nonconformity
Atticus’s beliefs about masculinity can be seen in what he tells Jem to be a gentleman son
There is little anger in Atticus’s masculinity which sets him apart from the rest of the men in the novel
However he is portrayed at having the strongest shot in maycomb, which surprises his children, and is lees way of showing it does not matter what skills you have it is what you do with them, though he could chooose to be Atticus chooses not to be violent
Atticus Father figure
The teachings of Atticus are portrayed primarily through scout, rather than directly
This automatically places him as a moral authority figure, given that he is scouts father
It allows the reader to see the impact of what he says, that it results in kindness, and his children looking up to him for guidance
This also allows him to be easily compared to other father figures in the novel - mainly bob ewell who neglects and abuses his children
Therfore it is immmediateliy obvious to the readers who beliefs are right and wrong and therfore helps the moral message of the novel
Atticus Justice
As a lawyer Atticus represents the justice system, but he can also represent other forms of justice
He expresses a distaste for the practice of criminal law, developing Lees belief that the justice system is flawed, and he explains this to Scout and Jem that whatever the evidence was, Tom Robinson would be found guilty
In everyday life Atticus also has a different interpretation of of justice. He is never violent of cruel towards his children, and listens to their side of the story whenever they have done something wrong. E.g. listening to Jems reason for attaching Mrs dubose bushes, but punishing him nonetheless
He also impresses on his children that they must always be empathetic- the need for fairness and understanding is essential in what he teaches them
Morality
In the book morality is generally seen as being black and white - there are good Characters and there are bad characters
However in society at the time the book was written, the beliefs of racial equality and tolerance that Atticus held were essentially controversial
Therefore by justifying these beliefs with other more accepted ones such as the need for kindness and empathy, Lee emphasises that these viewpoints are as obviously morally right as some of the others.
Therefore she uses Atticus to bring together controversial beliefs and commonly held ones to challenge the idea that anyone who disagreed with him could still be a truly good person
She places as much emphasis on these beliefs as she does on one’s such as kindness and respect, indicating that they are fundamental
Jem key points
Perspective
Emotion
Masculinity
Courage
Jem perspective
He is seen through the eyes of his younger sister, and this helps show how much he has changed over the course of the novel
Not only is this an outsider perspective letting the reader see his emotions with objectivity, but it also shows the reader the differences in how he treats scout - he goes from dragging her along and being exasperated by her, to feeling innately protective towards her
This helps show his development
Jem Emotion
Jem is an emotional character though he would pretend that he isnt, that scout is the one who tends to lose her head
This can be seen in how he reacts to Mrs dubose, or how strongly he feels a sense of injustice after the trial
Also seen in when scout describes his moods swings as he becomes a teenager
The fact that Jem is left with a lifelong injury due to the events surrounding the dwells is representative of the impact it has had on him and the acts as a vessel for harper lees message of the need for change
Jem Masculinity
As Jem is developing into a young man over the course of the novel, he is struggling to figure out what exactly masculinity means to him
He idolises Atticus even saying that he wants to be a lawyer, and thus will do anything to be a gentleman and please Atticus
Even when he temporarily loses his head with Mrs dubose he listens to Atticus as he tells him what he has done wrong
Masculinity is portrayed in a very progressive sense in the novel - Atticus impresses on Jem that while it is ok to feel emotional, it is important to not keep your head and not take your anger out on other people
Jem courage
Another key factor when considering the character of Jems is the theme of courage - his definition of this develops alongside scouts, as Atticus teaches them
At first he beliefs it’s never turning down a dare, and not being afraid to touch the radley house, but as he grows up he understands more, he realises that courage is often just carrrying on
This can be shown in his changing ideas of Mrs dubose
Boo radley main points
Ghost character
Relation to scout and Jem
Mockingbird and innocence
Empathy
Boo radley gosht character
He represents the things in maycomb that people don’t want to talk about - he is the darker side of the small town
He is used as almost a scapegoat for some of the towns problems and the metaphor of him being shut away links to how the town hides its problems and does not deal with them - the children try and course him to come out
Boo radley relation to Jem and scout
Scout and Jems relationship to boo radley shows how much they have matured as the novel progresses
From childish to genuine empathy, he is part of the them of growing up - he does not really change, but scout and Jems thoughts about him do
Vehicle for their development
Boo radley Mockingbird and innocence
Boo is one of the characters for whom teh mockingbird symbol applies - he is clearly and innocent, but the town does not treat him as such
Also takes into account a different form of innocence x responsiblilty and how people can be abused
Empathy/ walking in another persons shoes boo radley
Boo is portrayed as a frightening chapter at first but as the reader learns more about him we become more e empathetic towards him
It is essential for the reader to have incorrect first impressions so that the teachings of Atticus make an impact on them as well as scout and Jem
Mrs dubose main points
Moral ambiguity
Representative for the town
Courage
Political symbol
Vessel for teaching
Moral ambiguity Mrs dubose
