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Character Analysis Of Burris Ewell In 'To Kill A Mockingbird'

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In Harper Lee’s How to Kill a Mockingbird, Burris Ewell, a first grader in Scout’s class, is to be characterized as an undisciplined and neglected young boy. With regard to Burris being undisciplined, Burris yells at Miss Caroline, the first grade teacher, because he is not going to go home by her command and he wants to make her cry. Burris screams at Miss Caroline saying, ‘“Ain’t no snot-nosed slut of a schoolteacher ever born c’n make me do nothing” (Lee 37). Subsequently, Burris has not grown up with positive role models. Burris does not know his correct manner in addressing certain situations. Harper Lee shows Burriss’ character through his speech. She knows that calling a teacher a ‘snot-nosed slut’ will characterize him as a rude boy that is not punished for his actions. In addition, Burris is …show more content…

Scout states that “From her desk she produced a thick volume, leafed through its pages and read for a moment. ‘A good home remedy for - Burris, I want you to go home and wash your hair with lye soap. When you’ve done that, treat your scalp with kerosene”’ (Lee 35)(Introductory Subordinate Clause). Therefore, Burris does not get the proper hygienic needs that he should get. Miss Caroline also addresses Burris to having “cooties.” Miss Caroline means that Burris has lice and that if he were to go home and wash himself properly that he would get rid of the small insects. Evidently Burris is neither punished for his actions nor taken care of properly because as Miss Caroline and Burris are talking, one of the older classmates states, “They come first day every year and then leave. The truant lady gets ‘em here ‘cause she threatens ‘em with the sheriff”’ (Lee 36). Undoubtedly, Burris will not get the proper etiquette he deserves because his father does not care enough about him. Since Burris’ mother is not with him, Burris does not the motherly figure he

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