<P> To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel by Harper Lee published in 1960 . It was instantly successful, winning the Pulitzer Prize, and has become a classic of modern American literature, widely read in US high schools and middle schools . The story takes place during three years of the Great Depression in the fictional Maycomb, Alabama . </P> <P> This is a list of the characters: </P> <P> Atticus Finch is the middle - aged father of Jem and Scout Finch . He is a lawyer and was once known as "the deadliest shot in Maycomb County". Although he was a good shot, he does not like to mention the fact as he does not like the thought of having an advantage over people . He appears to support racial equality and was appointed to represent Tom Robinson, a black man who has been accused of raping a young white woman, Mayella Ewell . The town disapproves of him defending Tom especially when he makes clear his intent to defend Tom Robinson to the best of his abilities . He is portrayed by Gregory Peck in the film adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird . </P> <P> Jean Louise "Scout" Finch, as an adult, is the narrator . She comments on how she could not understand something at the time but now can appreciate it . She gets into trouble with Miss Caroline, her teacher, because she is expected to learn reading and writing her way . She is a tomboy and spends the most of her time with her brother Jem and best friend Dill . To Jem's advice to pretend to be a lady and start sewing or something, she answers, "Hell, no". The hints the narrator gives us about her grown - up life reveal that she has not attempted to change herself to please others . </P>

Who was the main character in to kill a mockingbird