Harper Lee's characters in To Kill a Mockingbird epitomize her thoughts that being an individual is critical and that people's actions reflect their wish to belong in society.

A major theme running throughout the novel is that one must be an individual and do the right thing, even when others do not. Atticus Finch attempts to teach his children this very lesson; every action he takes is an attempt to stay true to himself and to fight "Maycomb's usual disease." The very act of accepting Tom's case takes great courage, but Atticus cannot allow an innocent man to be punished without putting up a fight. He prepares his children for "ugly talk" from the townspeople, and advises them,

you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don't you let 'em get your goat.

No other attorney would physically guard his client to protect him from an angry mob that is bent on exacting justice on Tom before he has even had a trial. The townspeople believe that Tom is guilty, and Atticus knows that mob mentality is dangerous. He places himself in direct danger to protect Tom, even when no one else will. It's all about "the way we conduct ourselves when the chips are down," he tells his children. Atticus cannot act any way that goes against "the essence of a man's conscience."

Another example of Lee's point that individuality is important centers on the mockingbird symbol. Atticus states that "it's a sin to kill a mockingbird" because the birds haven't done anything wrong. This same idea applies to several individuals in Maycomb: Tom Robinson, Arthur (Boo) Radley, and even Mrs. Dubose. People judge Tom based on his race; even though Atticus shows Tom is clearly innocent, most of the white community does not stand up to support him.

The jury returns a guilty verdict after great deliberation; the fact that they actually discuss it shows there are some individuals on that jury. Miss Maudie explains that there are a "handful of people in this town who say that fair play is not marked White Only; the handful of people who say a fair trial is for everybody."

Arthur (Boo) can also be seen as an individual; when the children are in danger, he steps outside his cocoon to save them. He wants no acknowledgement; he knows it is the right thing to do and he gets involved even if it might place him in the limelight.

Mrs. Dubose also steps outside her comfort zone and does what others will not do because it's too difficult. Atticus explains to his children that Mrs. Dubose had wanted to die free of her morphine addiction: "She said she was going to leave this world beholden to nothing and nobody." Lee uses these characters to reveal the great courage it takes to stand up.

Lee also comments on people's wish to belong in society. She uses characters such as Dolphus to reveal that sometimes people who want to be individuals can't quite accomplish that goal. The townspeople do not accept an interracial marriage, so Dolphus pretends to be drunk to give people a reason for his actions: "Now I could say the hell with 'em, I don't care if they don't like it," he says, but he is unable to stand up to people's judgments. Instead, it's easier for him to give the town an excuse: "Dolphus Raymond's in the clutches of whiskey—that's why he won't change his ways." His children suffer the consequences because "they don't belong anywhere," since neither white nor black people will accept them.

In addition, the Ewell children are examples of people who want to belong but don't fit in anywhere. Mayella has no human contact, so most likely that's why she asked Tom to help her. She thinks Atticus is mocking her when he asks if she has friends. Scout wonders "if anybody had ever called her 'ma'am' or 'Miss Mayella' in her life." Lee is clearly commenting on the human need to belong.