To Kill a Mockingbird Group

Question:

mrusso93
mrusso93
Student
High School - 9th Grade

What are Dill, Aunt Alexandra, Miss Maudie and Boo's contribution to the plot and theme?

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Posted by mrusso93 on Sunday April 27, 2008 at 9:35 AM and tagged with aunt alexandra, boo, dill, miss maudie, plot, theme, to kill a mockingbird.

Answers:


  1. sullymonster Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    Boo's contributions have been covered in previous posts.  See the link below.

    Dill is an outsider's perspective.  In his ignorance of the town's history, there is an opportunity for Scout to tell readers more about the inhabitants and the situations.  Also, Dill provides Lee with an easy way to comment on the town - it is Dill who suggests the disbelief that readers feel about the Boo Radley legend.  Dill also reinforces the theme of alienation - he is pushed aside by his parents in the way that Boo is pushed aside by the town.

    Aunt Alexandra represents "old school" Maycomb.  She upholds the standards of behavior and the town attitudes that have dominated for years.  Although not an unkind woman, she exhibits prejudice and entitlement not shown by Atticus.  She helps to show and put into prespective what the townspeople are feeling, and she serves to force Scout to consider what type of woman she wants to be.

    Miss Maudie provides another type of woman for Scout to consider.  Both Aunt Alexandra and Miss Maudie are intelligent, but Miss Maudie rebels against the town beliefs and the typical roles of women.  She wears overalls, works in the yard, and speaks her mind openly.  By having these foils, Lee gives Scout some choices in defining her own individuality.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird/characters
    http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird/q-and-a/why-boo-mocking...

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    Posted by sullymonster on Sunday May 4, 2008 at 9:05 PM