Point of View

The book is written in third person. The majority of the view is limited to the perspective of Jean Louise, meaning the reader knows only what Jean Louise knows. There are a few cases in which the view becomes briefly omniscient. For example, when Jean Louise leaves Uncle Jack's house, he uses the telephone to call Atticus. Jean Louise doesn't know about the phone call until later. The reader knows the call was made, but doesn't know who Uncle Jack called or the details of the call.

Jean Louise is an idealistic young woman who believes people should take a stand for what they believe. There is no middle ground for her and her actions demonstrate that. She believes fully that racial prejudice is wrong and is horrified when she finds that her father and close friend, Henry, are involved in a group called the...