Although most characters in To Kill a
Mockingbird are clearly on the side of good (Atticus, Miss Maudie) or evil
(Bob Ewell), a few are conflicted in their
morality:
- Walter Cunningham,
Sr.: once a member of a lynch mob that sought vigilante justice against
Tom, Walter, Sr. became a more tolerant and empathetic man by the end of the
novel. - Mrs. Dubose: once the
vitriolic berater of children, Mrs. Dubose showed great courage in battling her morphine
addiction - Aunt Alexandra:
once a champion of Southern Aristocratic debutante values, Aunt Alexandra is more
accepting and open-minded once the trial begins and she sees the effects of racism on
her family
Even a few
institutions are places where good and evil
coexist:
- Scout's
school: Miss Fisher tries to teach the class to read while--at the same
time--telling Scout she learned to read all wrong.
- Maycomb County Courthouse:
Atticus' closing statement urges equality for all. Judge Taylor is an
honorable man, but the antics of Mr. Gilmer, Mayella and Bob Ewell reveal that no real
justice can befit Tom Robinson
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