To Kill A Mockingbird Character Analysis Worksheet

To Kill a Mockingbird: Character Analysis Worksheet – A Deep Dive

Understanding the intricate characters in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird is crucial to grasping the novel's profound themes of justice, prejudice, and childhood innocence. This character analysis worksheet provides a framework for exploring the key figures in Maycomb, Alabama, delving into their motivations, relationships, and impact on the story.

Introduction to Character Analysis in To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird thrives on its richly developed characters. Each individual, from the wise Atticus Finch to the enigmatic Boo Radley, contributes to the novel's complex tapestry. Analyzing these characters allows us to:

• Understand the novel's themes more deeply: Characters embody the novel's central ideas, such as racial injustice, moral courage, and the loss of innocence.
• Appreciate the historical and social context: The characters reflect the attitudes and prejudices prevalent in the American South during the 1930s.
• Connect with the story on a personal level: By understanding the characters' struggles and triumphs, readers can gain a deeper appreciation for the human condition.
• Improve critical thinking skills: Character analysis involves examining evidence, drawing inferences, and formulating well-supported interpretations.

Character Analysis Worksheet: Template

This worksheet provides a structured approach to analyzing the major characters in To Kill a Mockingbird. Feel free to adapt it based on the specific character you're analyzing.

Character Name:

I. Basic Information:

• Age:
• Occupation:
• Family:
• Social Status:

II. Physical Appearance:

• Describe the character's physical appearance. What details does the author provide?
• What does their appearance suggest about their personality or social standing?

III. Personality Traits:

• List the character's key personality traits (e.g., courageous, compassionate, prejudiced, shy).
• Provide textual evidence (quotes and examples from the book) to support each trait.

IV. Motivations:

• What are the character's goals, desires, and needs?
• What motivates their actions and decisions?

V. Relationships:

• Describe the character's relationships with other characters in the novel (e.g., Atticus and Scout, Jem and Dill, Boo Radley and the children).
• How do these relationships influence the character's behavior and development?

VI. Character Development:

• Does the character change or grow throughout the story? If so, how?
• What events or experiences contribute to their development?

VII. Role in the Story:

• What is the character's main function in the novel?
• How does the character contribute to the plot, themes, and overall message of the story?

VIII. Symbolic Significance:

• Does the character represent a particular idea, concept, or group of people?
• What is the symbolic meaning of the character's name, actions, or appearance?

IX. Key Quotes:

• List 3-5 significant quotes spoken by or about the character.
• Explain the meaning and significance of each quote.

X. Overall Impression:

• What is your overall impression of the character?
• Do you admire, sympathize with, or dislike the character? Why?

Applying the Worksheet: Example Analyses

Let's use the character analysis worksheet to explore some of the key figures in To Kill a Mockingbird.

1. Atticus Finch

Character Name: Atticus Finch

I. Basic Information:

• Age: Middle-aged
• Occupation: Lawyer
• Family: Father of Jem and Scout, brother of Alexandra
• Social Status: Respected member of the Maycomb community

II. Physical Appearance:

• Atticus is described as being older than most fathers in Maycomb. He wears glasses and is often seen in a suit.
• His appearance suggests his professionalism, intellect, and maturity.

III. Personality Traits:

• Moral: Atticus possesses an unwavering commitment to justice and fairness.
  • Textual Evidence: He defends Tom Robinson despite the intense prejudice of the community. "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."
• Compassionate: He is empathetic and understanding towards others, even those who hold opposing views.
  • Textual Evidence: He teaches Scout the importance of understanding others by "climbing into their skin and walking around in it."
• Patient: He remains calm and composed even in the face of adversity.
  • Textual Evidence: He calmly faces down the mob outside the jail.
• Wise: He offers valuable life lessons to his children.
  • Textual Evidence: He tells Scout, "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."

IV. Motivations:

• Atticus is motivated by his strong sense of justice and his desire to set a good example for his children.
• He wants to protect the innocent and fight against prejudice and inequality.

V. Relationships:

• Scout and Jem: He is a loving and supportive father, teaching them valuable life lessons.
• Tom Robinson: He defends Tom to the best of his ability, even though he knows he is unlikely to win.
• The Maycomb Community: He is respected by some, but criticized by others for his progressive views.

VI. Character Development:

• Atticus remains consistent in his values and beliefs throughout the novel. He serves as a moral compass for the reader.

VII. Role in the Story:

• Atticus is the moral center of the story. He represents justice, integrity, and compassion.
• He challenges the prejudiced attitudes of the Maycomb community and inspires others to do the same.

VIII. Symbolic Significance:

• Atticus symbolizes justice, integrity, and moral courage. He represents the possibility of overcoming prejudice and achieving equality.

IX. Key Quotes:

• "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." (Empathy and Understanding)
• "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." (Moral Integrity)
• "I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand." (True Courage)

X. Overall Impression:

• Atticus Finch is a highly admirable character. His unwavering commitment to justice and compassion makes him a role model for readers.

2. Scout Finch

Character Name: Scout Finch (Jean Louise Finch)

I. Basic Information:

• Age: Starts at 6, ends around 9
• Occupation: Student
• Family: Daughter of Atticus, sister of Jem
• Social Status: Middle-class family in Maycomb

II. Physical Appearance:

• Described as a tomboy, preferring overalls to dresses. She has short hair and is often barefoot.
• Her appearance reflects her independent and adventurous spirit.

III. Personality Traits:

• Curious: Scout is eager to learn about the world around her.
  • Textual Evidence: She constantly asks questions and seeks explanations for things she doesn't understand.
• Intelligent: She is precocious and learns to read and write at a young age.
  • Textual Evidence: She reads with Atticus every night.
• Fiercely Loyal: She is protective of her family and friends.
  • Textual Evidence: She defends Jem against criticism and stands up for Atticus.
• Naive: She is initially unaware of the extent of prejudice in Maycomb.
  • Textual Evidence: She struggles to understand the town's reaction to Atticus defending Tom Robinson.
• Tomboyish: She prefers rough-and-tumble play to traditional feminine activities.

IV. Motivations:

• Scout is motivated by her desire to understand the world around her and to protect those she loves.
• She seeks to make sense of the prejudice and injustice she witnesses in Maycomb.

V. Relationships:

• Atticus: She has a close and loving relationship with her father, who is her role model and mentor.
• Jem: She has a complex relationship with her brother, marked by both affection and rivalry.
• Dill: She forms a close friendship with Dill, who shares her sense of adventure and imagination.
• Calpurnia: She has a motherly relationship with Calpurnia, the Finch family's housekeeper, who provides her with guidance and support.

VI. Character Development:

• Scout undergoes significant development throughout the novel. She learns about prejudice, injustice, and the complexities of human nature.
• She gradually loses her innocence as she confronts the harsh realities of the world.
• By the end of the novel, she has gained a deeper understanding of empathy and compassion.

VII. Role in the Story:

• Scout is the narrator of the story, providing a child's perspective on the events unfolding in Maycomb.
• She serves as a lens through which the reader experiences the novel's themes.
• She is also a symbol of innocence and hope.

VIII. Symbolic Significance:

• Scout represents innocence, childhood curiosity, and the potential for growth and understanding.

IX. Key Quotes:

• "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." (Learned from Atticus, showing her growth)
• "Well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird, wouldn't it?" (Understanding the symbolism of the mockingbird)

X. Overall Impression:

• Scout Finch is a relatable and endearing character. Her journey from naive child to understanding young woman is both compelling and inspiring.

3. Jem Finch

Character Name: Jem Finch (Jeremy Atticus Finch)

I. Basic Information:

• Age: Starts at 10, ends around 13
• Occupation: Student
• Family: Son of Atticus, brother of Scout
• Social Status: Middle-class family in Maycomb

II. Physical Appearance:

• Older and more mature than Scout. He is interested in sports and begins to assert his independence.
• His appearance reflects his growing maturity.

III. Personality Traits:

• Brave: Jem is willing to take risks and stand up for what he believes in.
  • Textual Evidence: He touches the Radley house on a dare.
• Idealistic: He has a strong sense of justice and fairness.
  • Textual Evidence: He is deeply affected by the injustice of Tom Robinson's trial.
• Sensitive: He is easily hurt by the prejudice and cruelty he witnesses.
  • Textual Evidence: He cries after the trial verdict.
• Protective: He is fiercely protective of Scout and Atticus.
• Growing Maturity: As he ages, Jem grapples with understanding the complexities of the adult world.

IV. Motivations:

• Jem is motivated by his desire to do what is right and to protect his family and friends.
• He seeks to understand the complexities of the adult world and to find his place in it.

V. Relationships:

• Atticus: He admires and respects his father.
• Scout: He has a close but sometimes competitive relationship with his sister.
• Dill: He forms a strong bond with Dill, sharing adventures and secrets.

VI. Character Development:

• Jem undergoes significant development throughout the novel, experiencing the harsh realities of prejudice and injustice.
• He loses some of his innocence as he grapples with the complexities of the adult world.
• He becomes more disillusioned and cynical after the trial.

VII. Role in the Story:

• Jem represents the loss of innocence and the transition from childhood to adulthood.
• He provides a perspective that is more mature than Scout's but still vulnerable.
• He demonstrates the impact of prejudice and injustice on young people.

VIII. Symbolic Significance:

• Jem symbolizes the loss of innocence, the struggle to understand the world, and the impact of prejudice.

IX. Key Quotes:

• (After the trial) He comes to question the justice system and the ingrained prejudices of Maycomb. (Implied, not a direct quote but reflects his emotional state)

X. Overall Impression:

• Jem Finch is a complex and sympathetic character. His journey from childhood innocence to a more nuanced understanding of the world is both poignant and thought-provoking.

4. Boo Radley

Character Name: Arthur "Boo" Radley

I. Basic Information:

• Age: Adult
• Occupation: Unknown (reclusive)
• Family: Brother of Nathan Radley
• Social Status: Outcast in Maycomb

II. Physical Appearance:

• He is pale and thin, with ghostly features, and is rarely seen outside his house.
• His appearance contributes to his mysterious and frightening reputation.

III. Personality Traits:

• Shy: Boo is extremely reclusive and avoids contact with others.
• Misunderstood: He is the subject of rumors and speculation.
• Kind: Despite his reputation, he shows acts of kindness towards Jem and Scout.
  • Textual Evidence: He leaves gifts in the knothole of the tree.
• Protective: He ultimately saves Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell.

IV. Motivations:

• Boo's motivations are largely unknown.
• It is suggested that he is trying to protect himself from the outside world.
• He is also motivated by a desire to connect with others, as evidenced by his gifts to Jem and Scout.

V. Relationships:

• Jem and Scout: He observes them from afar and leaves them gifts.
• Nathan Radley: His brother keeps him isolated from the community.

VI. Character Development:

• Boo remains largely unchanged throughout the novel, but his actions at the end reveal his true character.
• He emerges from his isolation to save Jem and Scout, demonstrating his courage and compassion.

VII. Role in the Story:

• Boo represents the misunderstood outcast and the dangers of prejudice and rumor.
• He challenges the children's perceptions of fear and empathy.
• He is a symbol of kindness and protection.

VIII. Symbolic Significance:

• Boo symbolizes the mockingbird, an innocent creature who is harmed by the cruelty of others.
• He represents the potential for good in even the most misunderstood individuals.

IX. Key Quotes:

• (Atticus, after Sheriff Tate insists Bob Ewell fell on his own knife) "Let the dead bury the dead." This is to protect Boo Radley.

X. Overall Impression:

• Boo Radley is a mysterious and ultimately sympathetic character. His transformation from a feared figure to a savior demonstrates the power of empathy and understanding.

Further Exploration: Other Characters

This worksheet can be used to analyze other important characters in To Kill a Mockingbird, such as:

• Calpurnia: The Finch family's cook and housekeeper, who provides guidance and support to Jem and Scout.
• Dill Harris: Jem and Scout's friend, who represents imagination and a sense of adventure.
• Tom Robinson: The black man falsely accused of assaulting Mayella Ewell, who represents racial injustice.
• Mayella Ewell: The young woman who accuses Tom Robinson, who represents poverty, ignorance, and the cycle of abuse.
• Bob Ewell: Mayella's father, who represents prejudice, hatred, and the dangers of ignorance.
• Aunt Alexandra: Atticus's sister, who represents traditional Southern values and the importance of family.
• Heck Tate: The sheriff of Maycomb, who represents law and order.

Tips for Effective Character Analysis

• Read Carefully: Pay close attention to the author's descriptions of the characters, their actions, and their dialogue.
• Gather Evidence: Support your interpretations with textual evidence (quotes and examples from the book).
• Consider Context: Take into account the historical and social context of the novel.
• Explore Relationships: Analyze the characters' relationships with one another.
• Look for Symbols: Identify any symbolic meanings associated with the characters.
• Develop Your Own Interpretation: Formulate your own informed opinion about the characters.
• Support your claims: All observations need to be supported by direct evidence from the text, or a sound reasoning based on events in the story.

Conclusion

By using this character analysis worksheet, you can gain a deeper understanding of the complex and compelling characters in To Kill a Mockingbird. Analyzing these characters will enhance your appreciation of the novel's themes, historical context, and enduring relevance. Remember to always support your interpretations with textual evidence and to develop your own informed opinions. This process will not only improve your understanding of the novel but also sharpen your critical thinking skills. Exploring the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird offers a powerful lens through which to examine timeless issues of justice, prejudice, and the human condition.