Post by Jaiden Twining on Jul 18, 2016 5:34:46 GMT
Throughout the novel, many characters are introduced: some reoccurring, while others are seen only once, twice, or not at all. Because of this, multiple minor characters may seem insignificant, but each has its importance. Tim Johnson, a dog belonging to a bus driver, showed his significance to the story in the way he died. He became rabid and had to be shot for the safety of the neighborhood, but the important piece is that Atticus shot him, revealing that the old father was (and continued to be) known as the most accurate shot in town and furthermore that Atticus was not just and boring old man as Scout and Jem had thought, teaching them that they cannot judge someone because they never know everything about them. It also reveals more about their father's character considering that even with this talent, he did not like the idea of guns and did not even own one. The uncle of Scout, Jack Finch, was important because he sparked a conversation with Atticus that Scout listened in on, in which her father said many things that Scout needed to hear, such as,"...she knows I know she tries. That's what makes the difference," (Lee 116) and also,"...I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it with without bitterness, and most of all, without catching Maycomb's unusual disease." (Lee 117) These statements let Scout know that her father cares for his children and also lets her prepare for the future. Mrs. Dubose affected Jem by putting him through the experience of, after acting out in an outburst, having to take responsibility for his actions and fix the damage he caused. In addition, this event gave Atticus a chance to teach both Jem and Scout a life lesson when he said,"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand." (Lee 149) Finally, Dolphus Raymond was an important aspect in the book to rather teach both Scout and the reader (along with Dill) about the way most people think. Mr. Raymond was seen by the generally racist townspeople as a rich man with no sense because he was white and both married and had children with a black woman. The way they were able to explain it was by labeling him as a drunkard due to the fact that he always carried around a paper bag with a straw in it, which would typically contain an alcoholic beverage if it had been anyone else. In this case though, he actually had with in the bag a bottle of Coca-Cola and could in fact think clearly. He explained to Scout that,"When I come to town... if I weave a little and drink out of this sack, folks can say Dolphus Raymond's in the clutches of whiskey that's why he won't change his ways... It ain't honest but it's mighty helpful to folks." (Lee 268) This basically means that Mr. Raymond pretends to be intoxicated just so that other people aren't inconvenienced with something different from themselves, which is rather kind of Dolphus, but shows just how confused and cruel people can be. Numerous characters can be found within "To Kill A Mockingbird," but even the primarily minor ones were added to the novel for a reason, whether it be for the development of a main character, a plot line for the story, or just to get the reader thinking.
