How Does Lee Use Direct Characterization In To Kill A Mockingbird

By looking at Harper Lee’s novel ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’, one can see through Lee’s use of characterization of Atticus Finch, standing up for what he believes in is an admirable trait, which is important because in today’s community, there are people who are afraid, and decide to conform to societal norms.

Throughout the novel, Harper Lee uses the scenarios where she illuminates Atticus’ courage in many forms. Due to the whole neighborhood watching, Heck Tate stated that this has to be done in one shot and gives the gun to Atticus and he shoots the dog. Scout and Jem have excitement and curiosity beaming out of them as Ms. Maudie informs them: “He’s civilized in his heart. Marksmanship’s a gift of God, a talent- oh, you have to practice to make it perfect, but shootin’s gun down when he realized that God had

Unlike Scout, he is under the influence of the prejudiced townspeople. Due to Scout’s curiosity and impotent fury to defend Atticus even if she is unaware of what the word means. After being told what the word means and briefly informing her on the case, she decides to ask Atticus if he will win the case and he responds, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” (Lee 87). In this quote, Lee indirectly characterized Atticus as strong willed, determined and courageous. She shows this because normally one would decide to give up when they are aware of that the outcome is not positive. Although, Atticus’ sense of morality and yearning for justice propels him to defend Tom Robinson with determination. His main goal for this trial is not to win, rather it will give a Nergos a voice and to give a sense of lawfulness in a predominantly white bigoted community. Additionally, she expresses the importance of Atticus’ standing up for what he believes in even though he knows he will not acquit Tom Robinson at