How Does Lee Use Direct Characterisation In To Kill A Mockingbird

Characterisation:

In ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Harper Lee consistently uses a range of characterisation techniques. Characterisation is how the author develops the audience’s interpretation of a character. Use of these techniques allows Lee to portray the theme of discrimination throughout the entire novel. Dialogue is one such technique; "I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin' on my Mayella!" Throughout the novel ‘nigger’ is used as a derogatory term. The use of it in dialogue helps the reader to establish racist characters. Lee also uses direct characterisation. At the start of the book, Jem and Scout’s view of Boo is based purely around rumours. These rumours include assumptions such as “he dined on raw squirrels” and “his hands were bloodstained. Lee uses these rumours to paint a picture of Boo in

This picture is terrifying and fiendish - a product of Maycomb’s discrimination. Boo lives differently to the rest of Maycomb, and so these speculations are a way to justify his way of life. However, as the book progresses, Jem and Scout begin to form their own views of Boo. "I'm beginning to understand why Boo Radley's stayed shut up in the house all this time”, “it's because he wants to stay inside." This shows the product of character progression throughout the novel. Actions such as Boo leaving presents for them eventually lead Jem and Scout to form their own view of Boo, despite the stigma surrounding him. Characterisation helps the audience to understand different characters in the novel and their relationships with each other. Lee has effectively used characterisation to demonstrate how each individual in the book experiences or is affected