To Kill A Mockingbird GCSE English

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

summary by Naomi Sargent, UK

Key Points -  set in mid 1930's, Maycomb, Alabama, USA - a small secluded, friendly town -  narrator is Scout Finch looking back at her childhood & growing up -  Scout lives with older brother Jem and father Atticus -  looked after by Calpurnia, a negro woman,(stern but affectionate) because Scout's mother died when she was very young -  Harper Lee would herself have been Scouts age at the same time, so is perhaps referring to her own childhood

Plot outline 1. Scout's first day and long established boundaries in society are explained to the reader 2. Dill arrives 3. Try to get Boo Radley out 4. Boo leaves presents for Scout and Jem in a hole in a tree 5. Miss Maudie Atkinsons' house burns down in a cold winter night and, without her realizing, Boo puts a blanket on Scouts' shoulders to keep her warm 6. Atticus is called to defend Tom Robinson, a Negro man, accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman -- sparks tension with some townspeople who are racist and prejudiced 7. Atticus shoots a mad dog, the children learn respect for him as he was known as "Ol' One-Shot" due to his expertise with a rifle 8. Jem destroys Mrs Dubose's camellias and as a punishment must read to her every day for a month; she dies and Atticus tells the children she was a brave woman because despite only having a few months left to live she fights her morphine addiction 9. The children go to Calpurnia's Church and learn more about Tom Robinson 10. Aunt Alexandra comes to stay -- tries to make the children behave properly and tries to get Atticus to fire Calpurnia 11.The trial of Tom Robinson -- Atticus demonstrates that Tom is probably innocent by questioning Mayella Ewell (lied about rape). Despite this, the jury (after much deliberation) find Tom Robinson guilty. 12. Bob Ewell (Mayella's father) spits at and threatens Atticus 13. News is heard that Tom Robinson tried to escape from prison and was shot 17 times 13. On the way home from a Halloween pageant in the dark, Scout and Jem are attacked by Bob Ewell and Jem is badly hurt. Boo Radley comes to their rescue and Bob Ewell dies. 14. Heck Tate persuades Atticus to accept that Bob Ewell fell on his own knife. 15. Scout walks Boo Radley home and looks at the neighborhood from his perspective.

SCOUT (JEAN LOUISE) FINCH

Role: narrator Age: 6-9 Characteristics: lively, intelligent, astute, boyish, strong-willed, hot tempered, gets in trouble, innocent Other: - close with Atticus- he tries to make her fight with her head rather than her fists - taunted by the children for Atticus defending a Negro- instinctively she would fight but she refuses to retaliate - Aunt Alexandra is offended by her wild behaviour and frank speech and believes she should be more 'ladylike'- Scout resists this and prefers male company to her aunt's friends Change: Scout begins to adhere to her fathers previous analysis of life: "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." - begins to understand Aunt Alexandra's view point - sympathizes with Boo Radley - accepts Jem is growing up - has sympathy for Mayella - Has no prejudice "Just one kind of folks. Folks"

JEM (JEREMY) ATTICUS FINCH

Role: brother of Scout Age: 10-13 (4 years older than Scout) Characteristics: milder tempered than Scout, sensitive Other: -  Scout tries to occasionally guess what Jem is thinking -  only once exploded with anger- Mrs Dubose's camellias -  learns about personal courage by Atticus- "Its when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what" Change: Tom Robinson's trial causes Jem to be devastated by the unjust verdict and he realizes there is imperfections of people. -  approaches adolescence -  originally begins with normal childhood pursuits like football, games and having fun -  story unfolds and Jem becomes more moody and is less willing to join in games with Scout and Dill, he then prefers to be on his own -  begins to understand Boo stays inside because he wants to be -  develops responsibility e.g. informs Atticus of Dill being at the house -- becomes more protective of Scout -- develops a way with words that is reminiscent of Atticus

ATTICUS FINCH

Role: father of Scout, widow Age: 50 Characteristics: a man of reason, courage, morals, believed in using your head than your fists, bravery, driven by equality, reliable "before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience" Other:  -  his children are disappointed that he doesn't play football, poker, drink or smoke -  described as old and short sighted -  highly regarded by those who matter in Maycomb -  subjected to criticism from his brother and sister for bringing up Scout and Jem incorrectly (lets the children have freedom yet ensures they are polite, courteous and honest) -  fair and listens to both sides of an argument -  represents the voice of truth and fairness in the community; they 'trust him to do it right

BOO RADLEY

Role: figure of fear at first, a "haunt" He is much different to what they imagine.  He's not a monster as the children present him, but actually a very kind gentleman who is very shy.  He was locked in the house by his father for fifteen years.

CALPURNIA

Role: family cook and mother figure Other: -  has firm control over the children so Scout resents her at first -  Atticus supports her completely -  intelligent and can write  

MISS MAUDIE ATKINSON

Role: the children's favorite neighbor Other: -  popular with the children, she treats them with kindness and respect, enjoys their company, bakes them cakes and doesn't talk down to them -  she is individual and shows courage -  optimistic  

TOM ROBINSON

Role: falsely accused of raping a white woman -  married with children  -  hardworking, honest -  respected (as respected as a black man could have been) -  found guilty (falsely) -  in an attempt to escape prison, he is shot dead with 17 bullet holes

Themes/Topics/Symbols

  Courage Family Justice Prejudice Innocence Mockingbird