Aside from individualism, one classic characteristic of Romanticism is the belief in the inherent goodness of man and children. Rather than believing all of mankind is naturally evil, Romantics believe mankind is naturally good, but the urban lifestyle hampers that goodness.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, we see author Harper Lee reflect this Romantic view in the beliefs of Atticus, who asserts that all people are generally good. One clear example of his belief can be found in his assessments of Walter Cunningham. The morning after facing the lynch mob led by Walter Cunningham, Scout feels very confused about how to judge Cunningham as a person and asks her father, "I thought Mr. Cunningham was a fried of ours. You told me a long time ago he was" (Chapter 16). Atticus replies, "He still is," and gives his daughter an explanation about Walter Cunningham's character that reveals Atticus's belief in the general goodness of people:

Mr. Cunningham's basically a good man... he just has his blind spots along with the rest of us (Chapter 16).

If we were to relate Cunningham's character to Romanticism, we might argue Cunningham is a good person when out on his farm but becomes influenced by the racial prejudices commonly found in the urban society in Maycomb. These racial prejudices that drove him to want to lynch Tom Robinson.

What are the connections between To Kill a Mockingbird and Romanticism?

One characteristic of Romanticism is that, since Romantic thinkers placed great value on the individual self, they also exalted the deeds performed by the social outcasts, those who were misjudged by society. In To Kill a Mockingbird, we particularly see Harper Lee employ this Romantic characteristic when she promotes the actions of Arthur (Boo) Radley.  

The Radleys are considered social outcasts of Maycomb because they keep to themselves, never attend church, and keep their doors and windows shut on Sundays. Arthur is especially treated as an outcast because he never leaves his house. Since he never leaves his house, the townspeople have developed all kinds of rumors and myths about him that lead children to feel afraid of him. As the story progresses, however, Arthur is revealed to be a caring and benevolent person and one of the novel's major heroes.

Arthur demonstrates his caring and benevolent nature by leaving the children gifts, sewing Jem's torn trousers, and covering Scout up with a blanket on the cold winter's night when Miss Maudie's house burns down. His most heroic moment is when he rescues Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell, who is bent on getting revenge on Atticus. It is at the moment when Arthur becomes the story's greatest hero that Harper Lee employs the Romantic characteristic of exalting society's outcasts.