‛To Kill a Mockingbird’ Quiz

Truman Capote, Harper Lee's long time friend, served as the inspiration for the character of Dill. They knew each other when they both lived in Monroeville, Alabama, as children.

The mockingbird represents innocence, a creature that does no harm. Many characters in the novel can be likened to mockingbirds, especially Boo Radley. Despite the scary rumors surrounding him, he is harmless and protective towards the children, expecting nothing in return.

Calpurnia is an explicit mother figure to Scout and Jem, offering them both guidance and discipline. This was very forward-thinking in 1960s America.

Lee uses Scout's limited perception (due to the clumsy and bulky ham costume she cannot take off) to make the action difficult to parse and almost magical as a result. Boo Radley's intervention is thus almost miraculous (and the violence of killing is softened, sparing Scout trauma).

Boo Radley is a character who is omnipresent in the narrative even though he is rarely seen. This makes his final physical appearance and actions very powerful as he steps out of his comfort zone to save the children he has grown very fond of.