Scout is the main female narrator – 5 years old at the start of the novel.

The novel focuses on her movement from innocent child to understanding adult.

The novel focuses on prejudice, racism, social class and the battle between good and evil.

The novel is set in Maycomb, Alabama during 1930s America – the time of the great depression.

Scout has an older brother Jem, her father is Atticus, they make up the Finch family.

Scout and Jem are friends with Dill – during their friendship they become obsessed with Boo Radley and he is portrayed as an evil character.

Scout and Jem are saved by Boo Radley at the end of the novel and they change their opinion of him.

The main event of the novel is the trial of Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson is a black man accused of rape by Mayella Ewell. Atticus defends Tom and proves him innocent, however the all white jury find him guilty.

The trial of Tom has a huge impact on Jem and Scout. Jem becomes despondent and depressed that justice fails, whilst Scout has to learn to accept people for who they are.

The relationship Atticus has with his children is pivotal in the novel as he teaches them the most valuable lesson of all: To truly understand someone else's point of view, accept people for who they are and accept their good and bad points.