Louise Finch, Scout Scout is a very unusual little girl, both in her own qualities and in her social position. She is unusually intelligent (she learns to read before beginning school), unusually confident (she fights boys without fear), unusually thoughtful (she worries about the essential goodness and evil of mankind), and unusually good (she always acts with the best intentions). In terms of her social identity, she is unusual for being a tomboy in the prim and proper Southern world of Maycomb. Atticus Finch, Atticus Father of Jem and Scout, Atticus Finch sits on the Alabama State Legislature and acts as Maycomb's leading attorney. The epitome of moral character, Atticus teaches his children and his community how to stand up for one's beliefs in the face of prejudice and ignorance by defending a black man, Tom Robinson, wrongfully accused of raping a white woman. Having lost his wife when Scout was two years old, Atticus devotes himself to his children despite criticism from family and neighbors who think his children lack discipline and proper guidance. Atticus stands as one of literature's strongest and most positive father figures. Jeremy Finch, Jem Ten years old when the book begins , Jeremy "Jem" Finch acts as Scout's playmate and protector. Entering adolescence during the course of Mockingbird, Jem matures as he struggles with issues of racism and intolerance. On the brink of manhood, Jem goes through phases as he comes to grips with his family's past and his future role in society. Sometimes moody and sullen, sometimes kind and gentle, Jem emerges as a leader as he helps Scout understand how to get along in school and reminds her to respect Atticus and their other elders. Charles Baker, Dill Harper Lee based her character, Charles Baker "Dill" Harris, on her girlhood friend and famous writer, Truman Capote. Spending his summers with his relative, Miss Rachel, in Maycomb, Dill, who is Scout's age, comes from a broken family. Dill spins grand tales about his father but runs away from home late in the book because he feels his mother and step-father don't care about him. During his summer's however, he, Jem, and Scout entertain themselves by pretending they are characters in plays and attempting to coax Boo Radley out of his house. Boo Radley, Boo Arthur "Boo" Radley is Maycomb's town recluse. Myths and rumors about Boo and his family abound. According to town gossip, Boo stabbed his father in the leg when he was a boy and has since been confined to his house. The children imagine Boo as a ghoulish figure who eats cats and stalks about the neighborhood under the cover of night. In fact, Boo stands as a figure of innocence who befriends and protects the children in his own way. |