To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird

Question:

Choose a character out of the novel; describe the characters personality and placement in the novel.

Answer the following questions:

- How does the character relate to the Finch family?

- How does the Finch family feel about the character?

- Why do they respond to the character like this?

(Silke Lцsch, Calantha Lyle, Hayley Slade and Elonie Taylor.)

In the novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird' written by Harper Lee the Finch family are known in Maycomb County by everyone, whether through their eyes it's for a good reason or bad reason. The Finches are very important to the novel as they have a lot to do with the issues bought up during the novel. Mr Atticus Finch is an individual in the way he forsees things and in the way he brings up his children, showing them right from wrong. The Finch family stood out from the crowd of Maycomb County and were very open minded to what was going on in the 1930's, which was a time where blacks were looked down on by whites. The Finches stood up for what was right and them doing so has made this novel very significant as many people of that era were hated by many for standing up for themselves and for what's wrong. The Finches didn't judge, they were loved and respected by many, they weren't racist and most importantly they would never kill a mockingbird. The Finches proved Maycomb County's ways of segregation wrong, that blacks and whites are created equal and should be treated equal. Many learned from their experiences with the Finches.

Tom Robinson was one of many people of Maycomb County who experienced the presence of the Finches in their lives. Mr Finch played a large part in Tom's life as it was his job to make it a clear point to the court that Tom was an innocent man and so Tom (unlike many black people) wouldn't fall victim to the hating and wrongful judging of the whites. Tom respected Atticus and Atticus respected Tom, with this in concept it made it hard for the Finches to be respected by the whites but Atticus did what was right and stood by Tom all the way. Tom was very grateful and this created a great bond between Tom Robinson and the Finches.

Tom Robinson was a man who respected others and had good moral standards. He was a truthful man and always helped those who were in need. For his kindness he was repaid with the judging eye of the whites and it cost him his life. 'You're a mighty good fellow, it seems- did all this for not one penny?' He died in prison when he should have been a free man. He is seen as a man of truth, love and dignity. Tom Robinson was an innocent man who told the truth throughtout his trial while the whites lied just so they could see a grateful, kind, helpful man pay the price for their wrongdoing and all because he had different coloured skin.

Tom became a major part of the Finches lives