Illustration of a bird perched on a scale of justice

To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

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Scout

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Extended Character Analysis

Jean Louise "Scout" Finch is the protagonist and narrator of To Kill a Mockingbird, and the events of the story unfold through her recollections of growing up in the small town of Maycomb. When the novel opens, Scout is a precocious five-year-old excited to attend her first day of school. Her tumultuous first day illustrates some of her defining characteristics: an impressive intellect and curiosity, a hotheaded and tomboyish disposition, and an innate innocence and inner goodness. Scout’s personality is greatly shaped by the influence of her father, Atticus, whom she deeply respects and admires. Scout routinely defies the gender conventions of her small southern town and, much to the chagrin of her Aunt Alexandra, prefers to tag along on Jem and Dill’s escapades rather than pursue more ladylike activities.

Scout’s naïveté and strong moral compass make her an astute observer of the injustice and hypocrisy in Maycomb, and (in part due to her childish innocence) she is one of the few characters that dares to openly confront it. Scout’s innate sense of optimism and justice is challenged by the racism and hatred she witnesses throughout Tom Robinson’s trial. With Atticus’s help, she is able to process the terrible events and realize that her fellow citizens are morally complex individuals who possess the capacity for both goodness and evil. By the end of the novel, eight-year-old Scout has grown not only physically but emotionally as well. She has gained some control over her temper and no longer views being a “lady” as synonymous with being weak. Ultimately, Scout learns to look past deceiving appearances and, like her father, employs empathy and compassion to find the good in those around her.

Quotes

  • "Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. In rainy weather the streets turned to red slop; grass grew on the sidewalks, the courthouse sagged in the square. Somehow, it was hotter then: a black dog suffered on a summer's day; bony mules hitched to Hoover carts flicked flies in the sweltering shade of the live oaks on the square. Men's stiff collars wilted by nine in the morning. Ladies bathed before noon, after their three-o'clock naps, and by nightfall were like soft teacakes with frostings of sweat and sweet talcum."
  • "Summer was on the way; Jem and I awaited it with impatience. Summer was our best season: it was sleeping on the back screened porch in cots, or trying to sleep in the treehouse; summer was everything good to eat; it was a thousand colors in a parched landscape; but most of all, summer was Dill."
  • "Naw, Jem, I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks.”
  • "Coming out of the courthouse that night Miss Gates was—she was goin' down the steps in front of us, you musta not seen her—she was talking with Miss Stephanie Crawford. I heard her say it's time somebody taught 'em a lesson, they were gettin' way above themselves, an' the next thing they think they can do is marry us. Jem, how can you hate Hitler so bad an' then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home . . ."
  • "As Tom Robinson gave his testimony, it came to me that Mayella Ewell must have been the loneliest person in the world. She was even lonelier than Boo Radley, who had not been out of the house in twenty-five years. When Atticus asked had she any friends, she seemed not to know what he meant, then she thought he was making fun of her. She was as sad, I thought, as what Jem called a mixed child: white people wouldn't have anything to do with her because she lived among pigs; Negroes wouldn't have anything to do with her because she was white."

Expert Q&A

Which passages in To Kill a Mockingbird specifically describe Scout?

"To Kill a Mockingbird" describes Scout through various passages. She is depicted as an early reader who is taller than her peers, showing her physical stature and intellectual curiosity. Her impetuous nature is highlighted when she fights Walter Cunningham. Scout's appearance is detailed at the ladies' auxiliary meeting where she wears a pink Sunday dress. Her straightforward, honest character is evident in her preference for her father's world over the superficial world of the ladies. Lastly, her maturity is shown in her walk home from Boo's house, yet her youth is still evident.

Why was Scout bothered by Walter Cunningham's behavior at lunch?

Scout is bothered by Walter Cunningham's behavior at lunch because he pours syrup all over his food, which goes against the table manners she has been taught. She views his actions as uncivil and disrespectful. Walter's behavior reflects his upbringing in a poor farming family that doesn't place importance on table manners, which starkly contrasts with Scout's own upbringing.

What are Scout's feelings towards Walter Cunningham Jr. in "To Kill a Mockingbird"?

In "To Kill a Mockingbird," Scout initially harbors mixed feelings towards Walter Cunningham Jr. She understands and empathizes with the Cunningham family's pride and poverty, recognizing their refusal to accept what they cannot repay. However, her feelings become complicated when she blames Walter for her own punishment after trying to explain his family's situation to their teacher, leading her to physically attack him. Despite these incidents, Scout's negative feelings eventually subside, reflecting a nuanced dynamic influenced by her broader social awareness and personal experiences.

What are three similarities and differences Scout notices between her own church and Calpurnia's in To Kill A Mockingbird?

In "To Kill a Mockingbird," Scout notices several similarities and differences between her church and Calpurnia's. Both churches sing songs, bless the sick, and discuss human faults, but do not use musical instruments or hymnals at Calpurnia's, and the collection is for specific purposes. Additionally, Calpurnia's church lacks certain common customs like printed programs and uses a call-and-response style during singing.

Why did Scout want to quit the game in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Scout wants to quit the "Boo Radley" game for two main reasons. First, after Atticus catches them playing and questions if it involves the Radleys, Scout worries about getting in trouble for lying. Second, during an earlier incident when she landed in the Radleys' yard, she thought she heard someone laughing inside the house, making her uneasy and suspecting Boo Radley might have seen them.

Why does Scout describe the cemetery outside Cal's church as a happy one?

Scout describes the cemetery outside Calpurnia's church as "happy" because of its colorful decorations. She observes that the graves are adorned with brightly colored glass, broken Coca-Cola bottles, and other unique items like lightning rods and candle stumps. These vibrant and distinctive decorations reflect the way the African American community in Maycomb celebrates and remembers their deceased, contrasting with typical somber cemetery settings.

What do Scout's fights with Cecil and Francis reveal about her and Maycomb's community in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Scout's fights with Cecil and Francis reveal her immaturity and hot temper, as she resorts to violence when defending her father. These altercations also highlight Maycomb's deeply ingrained racism, as both Cecil and Francis echo the prejudiced views of their families and the larger community, which prefers to uphold racial biases rather than seek justice.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, why is Atticus defending a black man and how does Scout feel?

Atticus Finch defends a black man, Tom Robinson, because he believes in justice and integrity, despite societal racism in Maycomb. He feels morally obligated to provide a fair defense, explaining to Scout that failing to do so would compromise his integrity and parental authority. Although initially confused, Scout gradually understands Atticus's courage and integrity, especially seeing the respect shown to him by the black community, highlighting his heroic stand against racial prejudice.

Why did Scout become nervous when Atticus asked Mr. Ewell to write his name in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Scout becomes nervous when Atticus asks Bob Ewell to write his name because, according to courtroom strategy, one should never ask a question without knowing the answer. Scout understands the unpredictability this can introduce. However, the question reveals Ewell is left-handed, which supports the defense's argument since Mayella's injuries suggest a left-handed assailant. This information ultimately benefits Atticus's case by implying Tom Robinson, whose left arm is crippled, could not have caused the injuries.

How does Scout know Tom hasn't been acquitted before the jury's report in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Scout knows Tom hasn't been acquitted before the jury reports because she notices that none of the jurors look at Tom Robinson when they return to the courtroom. This behavior is something she understands as the daughter of a lawyer, recognizing that a jury never looks at a defendant they've convicted. Despite Jem's confidence in an acquittal based on the evidence, Scout's intuition and observation of the jurors' behavior lead her to anticipate the guilty verdict.

Scout Finch's Appearance and Age in To Kill a Mockingbird

In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout Finch is portrayed as a tomboy, often wearing overalls and displaying physical strength, though specific details about her appearance are scarce. She is described as big for her age, suggesting she is larger than her peers. Scout begins the narrative at nearly six years old and ends at nearly nine, reflecting significant personal growth. Jem Finch, Scout's brother, is nine at the story's start and nearly thirteen by its end. The story spans three years during the 1930s.

Scout Finch Memory Box Contents and Decoration

A memory box for Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird could include her overalls, symbolizing her tomboyish nature, and various items found in the knothole tree by Boo Radley, highlighting her connection to him. Other items might be a newspaper, representing her reading time with Atticus, Dill's playing cards, and her chicken-wire ham costume. The box could be decorated with brown paper, reflecting the era and the lessons learned about assumptions.

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