Characterisation
Characterisation
How do we
learn about
characters?
How is the
character
developed?
What
qualities do
they have?
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What they say
What they do
What they think
What other characters say about them
To Kill a Mockingbird is narrated by Scout as an
adult looking back on a few years of her
childhood life.
 This means there is a dual narration throughout
the novel.
 Her young perspective of the world, seen as the
events take place, is combined with a more
mature and reflective viewpoint of an adult
looking back.
 Scout describes her and Jem’s thoughts and
opinions throughout the novel about their
father.
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So, as a reader our impressions of Atticus
are shaped by Scout’s narration.
Our view and opinion of Atticus is largely
influenced by the thoughts and feelings of
both Scout and Jem.
As their impressions of Atticus change so
do the readers’.
WHAT DO THE CHILDREN THINK ABOUT THEIR FATHER IN THE
EARLY PARTS OF THE NOVEL
Intellectual
Boring
Physically unimpressive
Man of words not action
Cerebral
Lawyer
Passive
Unenergetic
Distant
Aloof
Bookish
Uninspiring
Nothing to be proud of
Overbearing
Authoritarian
Staid
IN PAIRS –FIND QUOTATIONS THAT SHOW THAT THE CHILDREN AREN’T THAT
IMPRESSED BY ATTICUS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THE NOVEL.
Page
Reference
Quotation
P19/23
He hasn’t taught me anythine Miss Caroline. Atticus ain’t got time to
teach me anything.”
“Why he’s so tired at night he just sits in the living room and reads”
P55/56
“When Atticus was out of earshot Jem yelled after him: I thought I
wanted to be a lawyer but I ain’t so sure now”
P96
“I sure would. Atticus can’t do anything.”
P98/95
“Atticus was feeble: he was nearly fifty. .. our classmates said. My
father...”
Page
Reference
Scout says several things that tell us her feelings about her father and
how she thinks he doesn’t do anything exciting or impressive just
before the incident with Tom Johnson (The Mad Dog) when he
surprises the children with his shooting prowess.
P99102/96-98
“I wish my father was a devil from hell.”
“Everybody in town’s father was playing it seemed except Atticus”
“This modest accomplishment served to make me even more ashamed of
him.”
“If your father was thirty you’d find life quite different. I’m sure I would,
Atticus can’t do anything”
“Atticus wouldn’t teach us to shoot.”
If Atticus is thought of as boring, physically
unimpressive and passive in the early stages of
the novel, what does he do to change this view?
His performance in the trial and the courage and
determination that he shows.
 Shows courage by standing up to the lynch mob
and saving Tom Robinson’s life
 Demonstrates his shooting
prowess/marksmanship skills when he shoots
the rabid dog.
.

In pairs –find quotations that show Atticus as a man of action and
impressive and evidence of the children changing their views.
Page
Reference
Quotation
P106/102
“Atticus pushed his glasses to his forehead; they slipped down, and
he dropped them in the street. In the silence, I heard them crack.”
P106102
“With movements so swift... He didn’t know what hit him.”
P107103
“Jem became vaguely articulate...I can hit somethin’”
P108/P104
“Well now, Miss...Nome, I said meekly”
P108104
“Guess you’ll change your tune now... when he was a boy”
Page
Reference
Quotation
P104
“Ain’t everybody’s daddy the... Maycomb
County.”
P105
“Atticus is real old...just like me.”
P122
“Oh go on and leave me alone...I’m reading the
paper.”
P152
“Link that boy might...until the truth is told.”
P157
“You can turn round...Atticus said pleasantly.”
In pairs – Discuss and write down why might we consider Atticus an admirable/heroic
character?
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Critical essay questions in English usually
have at least 2 parts to each question. This is
often overlooked.
You must answer all parts of the question
with your response.
A critical essay question will usually finish by asking you to
show how this...
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“...increases your understanding of the text as a whole.”
“...Affected your appreciation of the text as whole”
“...Influenced your view of the text as a whole.”
Or words similar to this.
At higher level you must explain this not simply state it
when linking back to the question.

The simplest way and most effective way to do
this is to explain how whatever the first part of
the question asked you to do adds to your
understanding of the main theme(s) of the
novel.
You could also refer where relevant to:
 The main narrative of the novel
 The struggle or journey of the character in the
novel.
 The setting of the novel
 The main conflict in the novel...
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It is better if you try to integrate discussion of
this part of the question into your response
throughout rather than present it as a separate
key point at the end.
Usually it is easiest and most sensible to try to
do this at the end of each key point after you
have given evidence and analysis to support that
point.
Remember At higher level you must explain this
not simply state it when linking back to the
question.
For example when answering a question using Atticus
about a character that we change our opinion of it
would be wise to consider:
 How is the character development of Atticus used to
highlight the theme of moral courage?
 How is the theme of the difficulty in overcoming
racism highlighted through Atticus’ development?
 How is the symbolism in the title of the novel relevant
to the character development of Atticus.
 How does the setting affect the character
development/change in character?