Male Roles in To Kill a Mockingbird
Character Analysis of the Men in Harper Lee’s Novel
Apr 10, 2009
It is important to understand the men in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird. If one doesn’t understand the man and what he represents in Maycomb the nuances of plot and characterization are lost.
Atticus Finch
Atticus is Scout and Jem Finch’s father. He is an attorney and a elected member of the Alabama State Legislature. He believes in human dignity and his actions as attorney, parent, and legislator reveal the depth of his commitment to humanity.
When he is appointed to be the defense attorney for Tom Robinson he vows to do the best possible job defending Tom even though his actions are not popular with the other citizens of Maycomb.
He gives his children plenty of freedom to play and explore. The only time he comes down firmly as a disciplinarian is when his children are disrespectful and abuse the dignity of other people in the neighborhood. When Jem destroys Mrs. Dubose’s flowers, Atticus makes him pay restitution by reading to Mrs. Dubose every day. Mrs. Dubose uses the distraction of Jem’s reading to help break her morphine addiction. Atticus uses her heroism to teach the children the lesson that true courage is “when you know you're licked before you begin but you see it through no matter what.” Atticus teaches his children the same lesson in his dedication and commitment to the defense of Tom Robinson.
Arthur “Boo” Radley
While Boo Radley is not a physical presence in the book until the very end, he is one of the most consistent unifying themes in the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. He was a typical member of Maycomb society until an adolescent prank nearly lands him in jail. His extremely religious, conservative father asked the courts to turn Arthur over to him and from that point on Arthur’s life becomes more and more reclusive.
Because he is never seen, outlandish stories and legends are passed around Maycomb regarding his activities. It is reported that he only goes out at night and eats squirrels and cats raw. However, the stories are untrue. Boo is a kind man who leaves the children gifts in the hole of a tree, gives Scout a blanket on the cold night of the fire, and kills Bob Ewell when he attacks the children.
Tom Robinson
Tom Robinson is a hard-working, conscientious and gentle black man who is accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Tom is very compassionate and when he sees Mayella working hard, he helps her whenever he gets a chance. Mayella misunderstands his kindness and propositions him. Tom flees. When asked why he ran, Tom points out that because he is a black man there is only one way for it to look.
Tom’s kindness works against him during the trial because white men think he is overstepping his social boundaries. When he is found guilty and thrown in prison, Tom loses hope. He tries to escape and is shot and killed.
Judge John Taylor
Judge Taylor seems to be indifferent to what is going on around him and often seems to be asleep or not paying attention. However, Judge Taylor is actually a scrupulous and fair judge who knows exactly what is going on. He is the judge who appoints Atticus to defend Tom because he knows that Atticus will do the best job.
Mr. Dolphus Raymond
Mr. Raymond was from a ‘well-bred’ family and had been engaged to a white woman. However, she shot herself before the wedding, after discovering his black mistress. After the collapse of his marriage, Mr. Raymond pretends to be a drunkard and prefers to socialize with blacks. When Dill and Scout find out that he is faking, Scout asks him why. Mr. Raymond explains to the children that he wants to live the way he lives and that he gives those who want to judge his lifestyle a good reason to judge his lifestyle by acting as if he were always drunk.
Walter Cunningham Sr.
Cunningham Sr. is the father of Walter Cunningham who is in Scout’s class at school. The Cunningham’s are proud and “never took anything they couldn't pay back.” When there is a stand off outside of Tom Robinson’s cell during an attempted lynching, Scout recognizes him and appeals to him as the father of her classmate. The lynch mob disbands. Later, during the trial, a Cunningham on the jury votes to acquit Tom.
Bob Ewell
Bob Ewell is the head of a clan of the worst white trash in Maycomb. He is an alcoholic who spends his relief money on drink, who can’t keep a job, breaks the law by hunting out of season, and doesn’t care for his children. He is rumored to abuse his children by beating them and Mayella’s trial reveals the possibility that he sexually abuses his children as well. He is humiliated by Atticus during the trial and vows to avenge himself. He becomes increasingly dangerous. Finally he attacks Jem and Scout when they return from a Halloween party. Boo Radley saves them by killing Ewell.
Link Deas
Link was Tom Robinson’s employer and stood up during the trial to tell everyone that he never had any trouble with Tom. After Tom’s death, Link employees his wife and defends her against harassment by Bob Ewell.
Braxton Bragg Underwood
Mr. Underwood runs the paper and although he is a racist and has no sympathy for Tom, he defends Atticus against the lynch mob.
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Warner Books, Inc. 1982. ISBN 0-446-31078-6
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