To Kill a Mockingbird
by Harper Lee
SETTING:
Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s
The small Southern town is a breeding ground for narrow-mindedness, hypocrisy, and
prejudice, all of which fuel the main conflict between the town and Tom Robinson.
POINT OF VIEW:
First-Person Narration. Scout narrates the novel, allowing the reader to see and discover
things through the innocent and naïve eyes of a child coming of age.
FLASHBACK:
Scout looks back after she meets Boo Radley to tell the story of Tom Robinson’s trial and
ends with an explanation as to how Jem broke his arm and the lessons she learned since the
summers before. As she gets older and experiences more, she develops a different and more
mature perspective.
SIGNIFICANT CHARACTERS:
 Atticus Finch
 Jean Louise “Scout” Finch
 Jeremy “Jem” Finch
 Arthur “Boo” Radley
 Miss Maudie Atkinson
 Miss Stephanie Crawford
 Calpurnia
 Dolphus Raymond
 Heck Tate
CONFLICTS:
Internal Conflict:
External Conflict:
MOTIVATION:
Atticus:
Scout:
SYMBOLISM:
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Bob Ewell
Tom Robinson
Charles Baker “Dill” Harris
Aunt Alexandra
Link Deas
Mrs. Dubose
Mr. Underwood
Mr. Cunningham
Walter Cunningham
Atticus’s decision to take on Tom Robinson’s case despite the criticism
and danger towards him and his family
The Town of Maycomb vs. Atticus
Bob Ewell vs. Finches
Ewells vs. Tom Robinson
The Old Sarum Crowd vs. Atticus
the live virtuously and see that an attempt is made at justice
to live by the virtues taught to her by her father; to understand the world
around her.
The mockingbird is a symbol of innocence that is often harmed
unnecessarily. Boo Radley and Tom Robinson are both innocent people
that are subjected to unnecessary cruelty and rumors.