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Character analysis to kill a mockingbird
To kill a mockingbird literary analysis
Character analysis to kill a mockingbird
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Maudie Atkinson is a familiar name to anyone who has read the classic of modern American literature, To Kill a Mockingbird. She is remembered from the novel, as the open-minded, garden-loving, supporting character that lives across the street from the Finch family, in which the youngest member of the household, Scout Finch is the narrator and protagonist of the story. Maudie Atkinson is simply known as Miss Maudie throughout most of the book. She is a larger part of the story than from what we saw in the book. In chapter 5, where she is described the most, it is mentioned by Scout that Miss Maudie had known the Finch family for quite some time, seeing as they grew up together as children and were quite close in age.
Her physical description
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in the book is very vague and exclusive to the author’s mind. However from the book there are inferences we can make about her appearance, such as in chapter 5 when Scout makes the comment that she is “a chameleon lady,” which suggests that she changes her appearance and attire for the occasion. Other instances of her physical description are found yet again in chapter 5 where it is said that she has a stern voice, false teeth, and that she is estimated to be around the age of fifty. Other than these few occurrences, there is not much about Maudie’s physical traits. Most of her appearance is left to the imagination of the readers and audience. Miss Atkinson is a trustworthy and strong character from the novel who helps Scout and Jem understand their community in a better and broader way. Maudie is clever, spunky, sympathetic, and she doesn't talk down to the children of Maycomb, which in turn earns their respect towards her.
Miss Atkinson becomes a trusted adult and somewhat of a friend to the children and Scout especially They go to when they have questions about the events happening in Maycomb and she is always sure to be truthful to them. She was an important person to Jem and Scout. The children would also spend time sitting with Maudie at her home to chat or help her with a few things that she needed done. In addition to this, Maudie would also bake the children small cakes and treats for them to enjoy during the summer days. It was mentioned in chapter 5 that there was an agreement between Miss Atkinson and the children that allowed for a peaceful balance between their relationship. Maudie allowed the children to roam free around her front yard and explore around her house as long as the children stayed out of specific areas and never messed anything up in her …show more content…
garden. Miss Maudie is an outdoor person.
She dislikes being indoors very much and prefers to be outside tending to her garden, which is something everyone saw her doing most of the time. She was very kind, knowledgeable, and very religious. “She loved everything that grew in God’s earth, even the weeds.” This quote from Scout shows how Maudie was an avid garden fanatic and that she was a religious person. Unfortunately she is racist like most people were in Maycomb during that time, but it’s how she grew up and it’s what she knew all of her life. Maudie’s character doesn’t change very much throughout the story. For the most part her personality is consistent throughout the story. However, she does help Scout’s personality grow and helps her become more ladylike and also knowledgeable through giving advice and sharing her own
opinions. Miss Maudie Atkinson is a beloved character in the story of To Kill a Mockingbird and whether most people recognize it or not, she helped the story and the characters develop a great deal. Her biggest role in the story was helping the narrator, Scout, develop into a better person. The many chats, advice, and questions that were shared between Maudie and Scout were part of Scout’s personal character development. In a way, I believe that Maudie became a sort of friend or Aunt figure to Scout by helping her various times throughout her childhood. Miss Atkinson’s respect for others and willingness to give advice is what makes her the caring, sympathetic, clever person that is well known all throughout the town of Maycomb.
Scout tried to explain this to her teacher, Miss Caroline, but got in trouble. Scout was so angry she rubbed Walter’s nose in dirt. Jem invited Walter over for dinner and Scout made a remark that made Calpurnia furious. She told Scout, “That boy’s yo’ comp’ny and if he wants to eat the table cloth you let him, you hear?” (32). Scout went on to say how just because he is a Cunningham he was not company. Calpurnia became even more furious and raised her voice and said, “Yo’ folks might be better’n the Cunninghams but it don’t count for nothin’ the way you’re disgracin’ ‘em” (33). This lesson was important because Scout learned just because you might be better than someone or have more does not mean you should act like it. Calpurnia gives the talks and is there for both children just like a real mother would be. Miss Maudie is another Maycomb citizen who is an important role model for Jem and
The book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee gives insight to society's prejudice against age, gender and especially race and how it impacts communities and individuals in a destructive way. Lee establishes how women did not have the same rights as men when she writes, ""For one thing, Miss Maudie can't serve on a jury because she is a woman-" "You mean women in Alabama can't-?" I was indignant." The use of aposiopesis is effective in conveying how shocked Scout felt after hearing this discriminating rule. The hyphen also displays the way Scout precipitously interrupted Atticus in disbelief. This reveals how Scout knew if Miss Maudie could be on the jury, Tom might have been ruled fairly. It proves that gender prejudice made the difference
Do Bystanders have a responsibility to intervene in crimes? This is a question we tend to ask ourselves very often. In the texts To Kill a Mockingbird and “Stand Up”, one can see the dangers of intervening in crimes. Bystanders are innocent and shouldn't risk their own lives for someone they don't even know. Being a bystander doesn't make you guilty, because it's your choice weather to help and stick up for someone or not.
Frances O'Grady, the first woman to be General Secretary of the Trades Union of the UK once said "You just wish sometimes that people would treat you like a human being rather than seeing your gender first and who you are second." To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee was about how evil human behavior can change people for the worse in many different cases for example Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. Both were hurt by the evil doings of others around them. Boo by his own father and Tom by the Ewells and their supporters. Scout and Jem's father Atticus was a young black man named Tom Robinson's lawyer in the trial after he was falsely accused by the Ewells who said the he raped 19 year old Mayella Ewell. Sadly he was charged with rape and sentenced
Harper Lee’s story To Kill a Mockingbird includes lots of different characters, although not all of them as equally important. However Miss Maudie is a minor character that has an impact on the themes/morals of the story. Also, she helps develop characterization for our main characters. Furthermore, she helps contribute to the motifs in To Kill a Mockingbird. Therefore, I think that Miss Maudie Atkinson is a minor character who impacts the book the most in different ways.
To Kill a Mockingbird "I simply want to tell you that there are some men in this world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father's one of them." – Miss Maudie The quote above states that Atticus Finch was a man who did unpleasant things, but this quote is false. Miss Maudie had every good intention when she told Jem and Scout this and her point was taken in the way she intended it to be taken by the children. Her point could have been better worded if the portion that reads "our unpleasant jobs" were replaced with "what is right." Atticus did unpleasant things only because he knew that they were the right thing to do. Miss Maudie told the children about their father in this way only to avoid saying that the rest of the town was wrong.
Miss Maudie has lnown Atticus Finch, now she has helped to raise Jem and Scout. Miss Maudie has always been there for scout, “I spent most of the remaining twilights that summer sitting with Miss Maudie Atkinson in her front porch.”(Lee 55) Miss Maudie took time out of her day to spend time with Scout when Jem abandoned her in his games with Dill. Miss Maudie acts like a mother would checking on the child and finding something for them to do. Miss Maudie also acts like a parent when she is asked a question. “Why, one sprig of nut grass can ruin a whole yard. Look here. When it
Like a mockingbird, children are generally a joy for most people, free from committing the sins that come with growing up. Scout was a joy to Miss Maudie this is seen when scout says “She called us by our names … a gesture of cordiality that cemented our friendship”. This quote shows that she is like a mockingbird because she’s just good to be around even with an adult. Also, since she wasn’t raised as a racist during this time she was seen as an outcast, some kids challenged her ideals and the fact that her father was defending a black man. Scout is a harmless child who is just trying to understand why people are racist. The innocence Scout remains throughout the story, though they witness actions that are far from innocent; The Ewells accuse an innocent man of terrible
Aunt Alexandra recognizes Scout’s maturity when she invites Scout to a seemingly meaningless lady’s brunch. As Scout views the gathering,she understands that this is no ordinary brunch but it is a showcase of social talent. Scout remembers, “There was no part about it, I must soon enter this world” (Lee 267). In this quote Scout comes to the realization that being a lady is not only justified in actions but also in universally accepted social functions. It is here that Scout’s lessons in womanhood come full circle and she is able to embrace a part of her existence that she had brushed off for a long time. Mayella Ewell is a singular character that gives an important insight into understanding of lower classes but in a less literal sense she is an extension of Scout. Mayella is part of Scout that is arrogant,confused, and denies the truth of the adult world. As Aunt Alexandra constantly mentions, she will never befriend the Cunninghams “Don’t be silly, Jean Louise,”said Aunt Alexandra. “The thing is, you can scrub Walter Cunningham till he shines,you can put him in shoes and a new suit, but he’ll never be like Jem” (Lee 256). While in relation to Scout, Aunt Alexandra is portrayed as uptight, she is the ideal lady of
Clearly, Miss Maudie Atkinson proves very influential in Scout’s life. Scout learns many lessons and morals from her, which ultimately help her become a better person. The lessons and morals Scout acquires provide her with many of the tools necessary for success in life and for improving her character. Among many things, Scout learns from Miss Maudie that she should not judge people or believe rumors, act humbly about any skills she possesses, and always maintain a good and positive attitude. However, not only Scout can learn from Miss Maudie. All individuals can take a lesson from Miss Maudie and become a better person in the process.
Aunt Alexandra is Atticus' sister. She moves to live with Scout and Jem because she wants to teach them the right way of growing up since their mom is dead. As she watches them grow up, she grows up mentally also. “People up there set them free, but you don't see them setting at the table with them. At least we don't have the deceit to say to them ‘yes, you are as good as we are but stay away from us’ said Mrs.
Miss Maudie Atkinson, one of the Finch’s neighbors, had a house fire. Atticus (Scout and Jem’s father) woke up the kids and made them go outside, in case the fire spread to their house. While Scout was not looking someone gave her a blanket, “‘Someday, maybe, Scout can thank him for covering her up.’ ‘Thank who?’ I asked.
In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is an ideal father, who sets a great example for his kids. A picture of Atticus is important to Scout because Atticus teaches Scout many important life lessons about life. Firstly, as Atticus talks to Scout about Miss. Stephanie, he states “if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. 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” (Lee,30). Scout realizes that one can never feel someone’s pain, happiness, or glory until she looks at their point of view of things; she learns to consider other people’s situation and feelings. She also understands that she will never know what goes in other people’s lives, and therefore she cannot judge anyone. Scout matures as she learns to apply Atticus’ wise advice to understand Mrs. Dubose and Boo Radley, who are individuals that are misunderstood by the community. Furthermore, as Miss Maudie talks to Scout, she states “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets” (Lee, 46). Miss Maudie knows about Atticus’ personality quite well. Miss Maudie explains to Scout Atticus is a man with moral principles, he does what he believes is right even if others are not there to praise him. Through Atticus’ exemplary role, Scout understands the importance of integrity, and strong moral values. Finally, when Scout questions her father about the possible outcome of the trial, Atticus states “simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us to try to win” (Lee, 76). Atticus teaches Scout toleration, determination and moral courage. He already knows he is going to los...
Maudie Atkinson is a modern day woman in her mannerism compared to a traditional woman such as Alexandra Hancock. Miss Maudie's futuristic view point is very apparent through her actions. She says in a conversation with Scout and Jem about the trial that is about to occur, “'Just because it's public, I don't have to go'”(Lee 159). Lee shows the characterization of Miss Maudie as a strong, rebellious woman for not attending the court case even though it was an event in the town's history where most citizens of Maycomb attended. Miss Maudie shows her independent thinking of modern day women in the society of Alabama.
To Kill a Mocking Bird is narrated retrospectively from the view of Scout, the daughter of Atticus Finch a lawyer of Maycomb, and younger sister of Jem. The informal vocabulary of the narration is still good enough to suggest it is spoken from the view of an adult Scout, (looking back at her childhood) but is casual enough to be understood by most readers.