Characters that Lead the Way
To Kill a Mockingbird is a book written by Harper Lee on the day to day life within a small town in the 1930’s. Every Character played a special role throughout the story even though it may have been short there was always a lesson to be learned from them. Some more than others such as Nathan Radley, Arthur Radley and Miss Maudie all played key roles within the story. All three of these characters had very different and unique personalities. Each of these characters are linked to one another. These three characters play short but key roles within the book and create a whole other story within the story.

Nathan Radley sets the background for Arthur Radley his younger brother. He sets this background by showing hate for anyone and everyone, especially people who touched his property. For instance, when he plugs the hole in the tree where Arthur Radley kept leaving treats for Jem and Scout (page-62- Nathan Radley “tree’s dying. You plug ” em with cement when they”re sick”) or whenever Jem and scout decided to give Arthur Radley a note Nathan came outside with a shotgun and began shooting at the children. This character gave the feeling that all the Radley’s were almost identical to Nathan, but it was not true. Nathan Radley only had two key parts within the story but these two parts gave us a stereo typical idea of how the Radley’s lived and got along socially with other people. However, Miss Maudie was the complete opposite.

Miss Maudie is the kindest person within the book, she has a history with the Finches and they have always been friends. Scout and Jem are friends with Miss Maudie but Scout is more. Scout goes to Miss Maudie for help when trying to figure some of life’s questions out and whenever she wants to find out more about Boo Radley. Miss Maudie’s house burns down, but she still remains cheerful she just makes silly jokes about it like that now she has a bigger yard and that she wanted to burn it down herself she was growing tired of it (Page 73). (“Thought of settin’ fire to it a hundred times myself” Miss Maudie -pg 73). Miss Maudie’s role within the story was as a role model for Scout and for people reading the story, she demonstrated that material items are not important you can always rebuild and make something better. She took this situation and turned it into a learning experience for everyone. Scout had received a large amount of information from Miss Maudie about Boo Radley which assisted us in determining the true character of Boo Radley.