Choose a character from a novel you have studied who you feel possesses admirable
characteristics and explain why.
There are many admirable characters in the novel TKAM by Harper Lee but for me, it is the novel’s protagonist, Scout
Finch, who had the most profound effect on me as a reader. The character of Scout demonstrated many appealing
qualities throughout the novel. Her narration of the events was humorous and unique in the sense that I perceived
everything through this young girl’s eyes. Furthermore, her innocence in a world of inequality and racism in a
southern Alabama 1930’s society was refreshing and compelling. Finally, the development of Scout’s character was
an interesting journey as she encountered themes such as prejudice and courage.
There is no doubt that Scout’s recollection of events as portrayed in the novel often made me laugh. Her first day of
school is a prime example of this. Scout’s first day consisted of being yelled at for being educated, being punished for
standing up for ‘a Cunningham’, beating up said Cunningham and then having to eat her lunch in the kitchen for
being disrespectful. Scout’s struggle to comprehend the logic of these punishments is quite amusing as she hails
never to return to school again. Humour is also evident when Scout witnesses snow for the first time and exclaims
“The world is endin’, Atticus.” Scout and Jem’s snowman provides more humour as it’s uncanny resemblance to Mr.
Avery forces Atticus to ask the children to alter it. Furthermore, Scout’s account of Jem’s transition into a teenage
boy provides many amusing moments as she questions his moodiness, superiority and appetite. “Reckon he’s got a
taperworm?”
Scout’s innocence not only provides humour but also helps lighten the tone in dangerous and serious situations
within this novel. A prominent example of this can be noted when the lynch mob confront Atticus at the jail. Scout
steps in to defuse the situation without fully understanding the danger she was in. Her innocence prevails, and she
manages to quench the angry mob by directly addressing Walter Cunningham’s father. Another example of Scout’s
innocence is clear in the way she perceives societal values in her hometown, Maycomb. The theme of racism and
inequality highlights her innocence as she tries to decipher how an innocent man like Tom Robinson can be
convicted even though everyone believes he is innocent. Atticus reminds Scout of the world she lives in, where black
and white do not coincide. Scout believed there was only one kind of folks ‘folks’. I found this particularly interesting
as Scout’s innocence often revealed and reminded me of the racial prejudices and the severity of it in 1930’s
Southern Alabama.
The final attribute of Scout’s character which appealed to me was how we got to experience the protagonist’s
character development. As a bildungsroman, TKAM recollects a three-year period in a young girl’s life. We see Scout
go from a hot-headed temperamental child to a mature and rational young girl over the duration of the novel. We
see Scout battle with her understanding of the unfairness of society and learn to tolerate the ways of the world she
lives in. She is very much appalled and bewildered by the society she lives in, but her development of character is
illustrated in her ability to tolerate the world she lives in. She also tolerates the idea of having to be the ‘sunbeam’
Aunt Alexandra expects her to be by wearing dresses and attending Aunt Alexandra’s Sunday gatherings. Her
maturity is highlighted as she understands what society (Aunt Alexandra) expects of her but overalls are victorious
over dresses when Aunt Alexandra comforts Scout with her preferred attire after their altercation with Bob Ewell on
Halloween night.
There is no doubt that Scout Finch is the most admirable character in this novel. I believe it to be fascinating that
Scout, a child growing up in a complicated world, manages to understand the most complex of scenarios and learns
to tolerate the racist society that is Maycomb. I admire how she developed from an irrational child to a mature and
reasonable young girl over the duration of the novel and I also admired her honesty and courage as she tried her
best to understand the ‘ugly things in this world’.