From Scout’s narration, readers can tell Dill is very curious and imaginative, when Scout describes him to be inquisitive in the Radleys; “The more we told Dill about the Radleys, the more he wanted to know, the longer he would stand hugging the light-pole on the corner, the more he would wonder.” (13) Lee introduces Dill as a creative and intelligent child, who is still mostly innocent to the world. Jem is also a symbol of innocence in chapter one. When Jem blindly believes Stephanie Crawfords exaggerations of Boo Radley, it shows how naive and trusting he is, and that he hasn’t been epxosed to much lies in the world. Jem is also prideful, which shows when he finally decied to touch the Radley house only when Scout “sneered at him.”
When Dill arrives, Scout’s interest in things gets stronger as Dill has a curiosity even greater than hers. She especially desires to know more about the Radley house and the stories that surround Boo Radley, who is supposed to be a cruel character. Dill also immediately has the same longing once he learns about Boo Radley, and together along with Jem they try to figure out what really goes on in the Radley house. Another example of Scout’s curiosity is when she hears about Tom Robinson. She comes to his trial and stays through it even though she is not allowed to know the events that occurred to make Tom accused of the crime and the ending verdict.
Dill is an important character in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Dill sparks the interest of Authur Radley to Jem and Scout. In the book, Dill gets Jem to go past the gate and touch the house, and Jem, Dill, and Scout go sneak into the Radley's backyard. Dill is also an example of childhood innocence. Dill shows Scout how you can't just assume with people.
Scout comments that, “Dill said I was the only girl he would ever love, then he neglected me” and “he only grew closer to Jem” (Lee 5). In this quote, Sout is jealous of how much time Dill and Jem are spending together. Jem’s jealousy can be seen earlier, when he says “spit it out right now”(Lee 1). In this quote, Jem is not only acting as an older brother to Scout, but he is also jealous that Scout did not give him any gum.
However, alienation is truly a theme with the case of the wealthy, white, Dill, In one chapter, Dill runs away from home and sneaks on a train to get to Maycomb,due to the fact that his parents do not interact with him, making him sad and alone. “The thing is, what I’m tryin‘ to say is—they do get on a lot better without me, I can’t help them any. They ain’t mean. They buy me everything I want, but it’s now—you’ve got it go play with it”(Lee 54).Dill is a young boy that visits Maycomb every summer. He is friends with Jem and Scout, and shares their great fascination with Boo Radley.
Although this occupied his seven year old imagination, he still held strong to his mind 's pledge to be needed and appreciated. Although this is a highly strong and unlikely inference this could be debated, by the textual evidence of Dill going back to mississippi because through his experiences in Maycomb and through Jem he begins to think and act more like this ten year old boy. As the saying goes’ “Respect your elders.” Although this refers to obeying them Dill kicks it up a notch and follows in Jem’s footsteps through “peer pressure” and social class. Dill feels unwanted as his biological father isn’t in the picture but in the middle of the novel he regains his idea of a family unit when he gets a new dad.
Furthermore, Charles Baker Harris, or Dill as he is affectionately called, likewise embodies a Mockingbird. To explain, he’s one of the most innocent characters of To Kill A Mockingbird. Even at the end of the novel, he never truly matures as he confesses to wanting to hold onto his childhood by becoming a clown and shunning other grownups. Dill even runs away from home when he’s not given enough attention, and cries during Tom Robinson’s cross-examination. Unlike the Finch children, Dill is untainted by adults’ values and twisted morals.
“Is he dead?” “No…” “Then if he’s not dead you’ve got one, haven’t you?” Dill blushed and Jem told me to hush…”(8). Scout did not understand how someone could not
“Then I’m goin‘ with you —” I choked. “No, you ain’t, you’ll just make noise,” says Jem. The evidence is relevant as it proves that Jem knows he is risking his life and does not want Scout to risk her because even though he complains about her acting like a girl, he cares for her. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Dill experiences some dramatic events that cause him to lose his innocence and change his view of the world.
"(Lee, Pg 15) That is the beginning of Dill 's curiosity. When Dill found Jem and Scout he didn’t feel rejected.
In Sandra Cisneros’ novel The House on Mango Street, the notion of home transcends mere physicality, encapsulating a rich tapestry of emotions, culture, and identity. Set in a working-class Latino neighborhood in Chicago, the novel follows the coming-of-age journey of Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl navigating the complexities of adolescence, womanhood, and societal expectations. At the heart of the narrative lies Mango Street itself—a dilapidated, impoverished neighborhood that Esperanza and her family reluctantly call home. Despite its “shortcomings” Mango Street serves as a crucible for Esperanza’s growth, shaping her understanding of self and community. For Esperanza, home is a paradoxical space—a sanctuary imbued with warmth and familiarity, yet suffused with longing and discontent.
(Lee 266) This quote shows how Dill notices that Mr. Gilmer treats Tom Robinson poorly which Dill doesn't think is very right though, Scout says, Tom Robinson is just a Negro. Dill then responds that nobody deserves to be treated that way no matter how different they are. This matters because you shouldn’t just treat someone that way because of their race and someone shouldn’t do that because they could have misinterpreted them. At the end of the book, Atticus said, “you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them.”
As he’s with Jem and Scout talking about himself and Dracula, Scout asked him where his father was, and Dill responded with ,“I haven’t got one”. This brought confusion to Scout because if he doesn’t have a father and his father isn’t dead then where was he. As a child you wouldn’t understand his situation and this is why it’s misunderstood because you wouldn’t know what he has been through in the past or even why he doesn’t have a dad. Another way that you can misunderstand something is when it comes from another person saying a rumor
Also, one day Scout, Jem, and Dill travel into town against their father’s commands, and behind Calpurnia’s back, to watch Tom Robinson’s trial. They thought that going to watch the trial would be interesting and fun. Disobeying her father is an act of immaturity. A mature child would have listened to their father because he knows what is best for his children. In addition, Scout thinks it is okay to be mean to others.
Dill’s character brings out the playful innocence by his exaggerations and stories. “Dill recited this narrative” (Lee 186) about him being “bound in chains and left to die” (Lee 186) by his hateful stepfather. Because of this, he ran away to Maycomb and hid under Scout’s bed before being discovered. In actuality, he believed that his parents neglected him and he was upset. Being at the age of about seven, Dill had to have got on a train and walked many miles to reach his destination.
