Essay On Foil Characters In To Kill A Mockingbird

628 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: How was atticus finch depicted as protagonist in the film

Authors use minor characters that have specific traits to emphasize the characteristics of a main character and this is called foil characters. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, the author, uses Bob Ewell and Atticus Finch as foil characters to reveal the theme of courage and cowardice.
The actions Bob Ewell displays throughout the novel help emphasize the actions Atticus displays. For example, Atticus wants justice for Tom Robinson so he takes his case because he knows no one else will even try to defend him. “ Do all lawyers defend n-Negroes, Atticus? Of course they do, Scout…. If you shouldn’t be defendin’ him, then why are you doin’ it? For a number of reasons, the main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town” …show more content…

Atticus protects Tom Robinson when they move him to the county jail the day before the trial. “Nobody around here’s up to anything, it’s that Old Sarum bunch I’m worried about…. you’re not scared of that crowd, are you?” (194). Atticus asks Sheriff Heck Tate if he’s scared of a group of guys who just want to lynch Tom Robinson but Atticus shows courage by going down to the jail to protect Tom from the Old Sarum group.
Bob Ewell believes that Atticus is not a good man because he tries to stand up for Tom and the way he tries to get back at Atticus is by going after Jem and Scout on the way home from the pageant. “We were nearly to the road when I felt Jem’s hand leave me, felt him jerk backwards to the ground” (351). Jem and Scout were surprised by someone at a vulnerable time because it was dark and they were defenseless and taken by surprise.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses Atticus and Bob Ewell as foil characters to reveal the theme of courage and cowardice. These two characters are complete opposites in everything they do such as how they solve problems, how they dress, how much education they received, and how they raise their

Show More
Related

  • How Does Atticus Show Patience In To Kill A Mockingbird

    578 Words  | 2 Pages

    Bob Riley once said “Hard times don't create heroes, it is during the hard times when the ‘hero’ within us is revealed.” Author Lee shows the thoughts and feelings of each character carefully. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the character Atticus Finch represents Lee’s idea of social justice by demonstrating patience, wisdom and sympathy.

    Read More

  • Character Analysis Of To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

    1530 Words  | 4 Pages

    The novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, is an American classic, narrated by the young Scout Finch, the most engrossing character in the book. The novel is about the adventures of two siblings over the time of about three years. Jem and Jean Louise (Scout) Finch were two young siblings who one day met another young boy named Dill. Over time, Jem and Scout grow up under the careful watch of their father and friends, learning how to be adults. They play games, they sneak into a courthouse, and they learn a valuable life lesson. Scout was an intriguing character. As the narrator, you learn more about Scout’s feelings towards the events in the book and soon learn to love her. Let me introduce you to Scout Finch.

    Read More

  • character foils

    1360 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...t and dark, art and pain, choice and regret, cruelty and sacrifice.” [Libba Bray] The character “foils” within Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird add a real meaning of development, and complexity in the story that grasps the readers attention. It can be seen that each pair of characters are present in a way that the readers are able to show the contrast between each pair and can acknowledge and recognize a “good” character from a “bad” one. This contrast is most evident in the way each character deals with a situation. It is essential that, as readers, we do not assume that certain characters are the same due to some of the likeness that they have because each person has their own personality that creates the true image of their individual that is being described. In this world, there will be both good and evil because that is what creates balance in the world.

    Read More

  • Foils in To Kill a Mockingbird

    1728 Words  | 4 Pages

    ... Mockingbird to compare and contrast characters; this is a very useful literary term because it shows how one character can make another character seem extremely better. Many characters are clear examples of this: Atticus’s respectful and fair behaviour in contrast to Mr. Gilmer’s rude and prejudice behavior; Miss Maudie’s truthful and open-minded personality in comparison to Miss Stephanie’s gossipy and impulsive personality; and, finally, Walter Cunningham senior’s hardworking and generous attitude compared to Bob Ewell’s careless and greedy attitude.)(Thus, it can be seen that foils play a major role within literature because it brings out one’s true nature and compares them shoulder to shoulder.)(Many of the contrasts between characters intensify the conflict between them, turning the story of innocence to experience into an epic struggle between good and evil.

    Read More

  • Essay on Character Parallels in To Kill a Mockingbird

    462 Words  | 1 Pages

    Atticus Finch and Aunt Alexander is an example of a character foil in the book.

    Read More

  • Character Analysis Of 'To Kill A Mockingbird'

    842 Words  | 2 Pages

    Keeping a mouth shut doesn't hold the world shut out, it opens up new doors to things that would never be expected. In To Kill A Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, there is are two character that is are an eternal mystery for the readers. Boo Radley, though the reader nor Scout and Jem know anything about the character all they want is to learn about him. Boo becomes a mysterious figure that many see as creepy, ghostly, but also reasonably wise. The one-time Boo appears the readers learn he is a sagacious, powerful man. Little do Scout and Jem know is that their father is also a rational being as well. The two crucial character in the story helps support the

    Read More

  • To Kill a Mockingbird-Character Foils

    1382 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...character foils within Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, each pair symbolizing the good and evil that lies within Maycomb County. Boo and Nathan Radley, though brothers, look at life in contrasting ways. Walter Cunningham Jr. and Burris, though classified the same in terms of society, stand for opposite morals; and Miss Maudie Atkinson and Miss Stephanie Crawford, both respected women in Maycomb, are nothing alike in terms of character. The philosophical meaning behind character foils present not only in this novel, but other works of literature, can be seen as the balance within the universe; with every good thing, comes a bad thing that counterweights it. “The ingredients of both darkness and light are equally present ...The madness of this planet is largely a result of the human being's difficulty in coming to virtuous balance with himself” (Gilbert 251).

    Read More

  • Compassion and Tolerance in To Kill A Mockingbird

    629 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus shows great compassion and tolerance when he stands up for the Negroes. He stands up and represents Tom Robinson because he believes that everyone should be treated equally in the court of law. He knows that because Tom was a Negro there would be a slim chance of winning. That fact never discouraged him though because he says that the main reason he is representing Tom is because, ' if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature'; (75). He recited a speech, which clearly states that Tom Robinson is not guilty. In that speech he says, 'our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal'; (205). He believed that prejudice and stereotyping is wrong and he tries to teach these morals to Scout and Jem.

    Read More

  • Identity Quotes In To Kill A Mockingbird

    911 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are no two characters in To Kill a Mockingbird that differ in identity as much as Atticus Finch and Bob Ewell. Atticus is a man of the law. He defends Tom, an innocent man wrongly convicted, despite the flack his family get from it. “‘ My folks said your daddy was a disgrace an’ that nigger oughta hang from the water tank!’” (Lee 76) He sets a good example for his children. He calls everyone he know ‘Sir’ or ‘Ma'am’.

    Read More

  • Social Issues Displayed in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

    732 Words  | 2 Pages

    These morals are bound to the “impartiality” and “fairness” taught to people as children, but become unavoidably invisible through selfish actions. The characters in To Kill a Mockingbird express audacity along with resilience in the face of cowardice. In the novel, one of the main characters is the father of the narrator, Atticus Finch. He is portrayed as a just character with common social grace. As the novel develops, Atticus begins to portray courage and sacrifice that goes against all common propriety.

    Read More

  • How Is Atticus Finch A Good Role Model

    663 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus Finch is a very essential character in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. He is not only the father on Jem and Scout, but he is also defending Tom Robinson. Along with all of the obstacles and challenges that Atticus faces he is still an exceptional role model for the children. He also overcomes the diversity of Negroes and whites that is displayed during his time by standing up and fighting for Tom Robinson and his triumph in court against Bob Ewell. Lee presents Atticus Finch as understanding of Tom Robinson, caring with the children, and calm throughout the Tom Robinson trial.

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Character Analysis

    827 Words  | 2 Pages

    The author George Elliot once said “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Appearance can be very misleading, and you shouldn't prejudge the worth or value of something by its outward appearance alone. This philosophical idea has been included in many works of literature, including the timeless classic To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee. The novel takes place in the town of Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s. Many citizens of Maycomb tend to make judgements based on outward appearances alone. In the novel, Lee uses minor characters such as Boo Radley, Mrs. Dubose, and Tom Robinson to convey the book’s theme of prejudice.

    Read More

  • Is Atticus A Hero

    305 Words  | 1 Pages

    Revenge and violence is everywhere, but there are always heros big and small trying to change things for the better. Many heros go unnoticed, a few get recognized by everyone, some are forgotten. Atticus is a hero because he does his best to protect an innocent man even though he's black. Bob Ewell wants revenge for Atticus destroying his credibility if he had any. Violence will always be here to stay, no matter where or when violence is there. The book To Kill A Mockingbird is created by Harper Lee.

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Essays: Doing the Right Thing

    807 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus remained a pillar of righteousness in a town whose moral foundation was weak to say the least.  When Atticus took Tom Robinson's case, he didn't treat the case differently from any other he might take on.  He knew that there was no way that Tom would be saved from death no matter how well he defended him.  From opening to closing statements, Atticus remained vigilant in his defense of Tom.

    Read More

  • Theme of Courage in To Kill A Mocking Bird

    792 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus was incredibly courageous taking on tom Robinsons case against the prejudice of Macomb County and he shows incredible courage when he says, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and won." He wants the people of Maycomb to hear the truth about Tom Robinson, "That boy may go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told." Chapter 15, Page 146. He was against the whole white community including his own sister practically said that he was a disgrace to his family Atticus tells scout when she asks him why he is taking the case he says "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 county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again.

    Read More

More about Essay On Foil Characters In To Kill A Mockingbird

Open Document