<P> Unlike Scout and Jem, Dill lacks the security of family support . He is unwanted and unloved by his mother and stepfather: "They do get on a lot better without me, I cannot help them any ." As Francis (a cousin of Jem and Scout) says, "He hasn't got a home, he just gets passed around from relative to relative ." Dill maintains he has no father; he doesn't know where his father might live, or if he will ever come back . He is played by John Megna in the film adaption of To Kill a Mockingbird . </P> <P> This character is believed to be based on author Truman Capote, a childhood friend of Harper Lee . </P> <P> Calpurnia, nicknamed Cal, is the Finch family's African - American housekeeper, whom the children love and Atticus deeply respects (he remarks in her defense that she "never indulged (the children) like most colored nurses"). She is highly regarded by Atticus . She is an important figure in Scout's life, providing discipline, instruction, and love . She also fills the maternal role for the children after their mother's death . Calpurnia is a mother herself and raised her son, Zeebo, to adulthood . Calpurnia is one of the few black characters in the novel who is able to read and write, and it is she who taught Scout to write . She learned how to read from Miss Maudie's aunt, Miss Buford, who taught her how to read out of Blackstone's Commentaries, a book given to her . Aunt Alexandra despised Calpurnia because Alexandra believed that Calpurnia was not a "maternal figure" for Jem and Scout, especially for Scout . </P> <P> Calpurnia is a member of the First Purchase M.E. African Church in Maycomb . While Scout always hears her speak proper English, she is surprised to learn that Calpurnia does not do so at church, especially with the uneducated members of the congregation . </P>

Characters from the book to kill a mockingbird