<P> Miss Maude "Maudie" Atkinson lives across the street from the Finch family . She had known the Finches for many years, having been brought up on the Buford place, which was near the Finches' ancestral home, Finch's Landing . She is described as a woman of about 50 who enjoys baking and gardening; her cakes are especially held in high regard . However, she is frequently harassed by devout "Foot - Washing Baptists", who tell her that her enjoyment of gardening is a sin . The Foot - Washing Baptists also believe that women are a sin as well . Miss Maudie befriends Scout and Jem and tells them stories about Atticus as a boy . It is strongly implied that she and Atticus have a more than platonic relationship . Also, she is one of the few adults that Jem and Scout hold in high regard and respect . She does not act condescendingly towards them, even though they are young children . During the course of the novel, her house burns down; however, she shows remarkable courage throughout this (even saying that she wanted to burn it down herself to make more room for her flowers). She is not prejudiced, though she talks caustically to Miss Stephanie Crawford, unlike many of her Southern neighbors, and teaches Scout important lessons about racism and human nature . It is important to note that Miss Maudie fully explains that "it is a sin to kill a mockingbird", whereas Atticus Finch initially brings up the subject but doesn't go into depth . When Jem gets older, and doesn't want to be bothered by Scout, Miss Maudie keeps her from getting angry . Maudie is played by Rosemary Murphy in the film . </P> <P> Robert E. Lee "Bob" Ewell is the main antagonist of To Kill a Mockingbird . He has a daughter named Mayella and a younger son named Burris, as well as six other unnamed children . He is an alcoholic, poaching game to feed his family because he spends whatever money they legally gain via government "relief checks" on alcohol . It is implied, and evidence suggests, that he was the one who abused his daughter Mayella, not Tom Robinson (the African American man accused of doing so). Although most everybody in town knows that the Ewells are a disgrace and not to be trusted, it is made clear that Tom Robinson was convicted because he is a Negro whose accuser is white . Upon hearing of Tom's death, Bob is absolutely gleeful, gloating about his success . After being humiliated at the trial, however, he goes on a quest for revenge, becoming increasingly violent . He begins by spitting in Atticus' face, followed by a failed attempt to break into the home of Judge Taylor, then finally menacing Helen, the poor widow of Tom Robinson . Ewell later attempts to murder Jem and Scout Finch with a knife to complete his revenge . Boo Radley saves Jem and Scout and it is believed that he kills Ewell with the knife . Heck Tate, the sheriff, puts in the official report that Bob Ewell fell on his own knife and died after lying under a tree for 45 minutes . Ewell is played by James Anderson in the film . </P> <P> Mayella Violet Ewell, 19, is the oldest of the eight Ewell children . Before the trial, Mayella is noted for growing red geraniums outside her otherwise dirty home in order to bring some beauty into her life . Due to her family's living situation, Mayella has no opportunity for human contact or love . She eventually gets so desperate that she attempts to seduce a black man, Tom Robinson, by saving up nickels to send her siblings to go get ice cream so that Mayella can be alone with Tom . Her father sees this through a window and in punishment he beats her . Ewell then finds the sheriff, Heck Tate, and tells him that his daughter has been raped and beaten by Tom . At the trial, Atticus points out that only the right side of Mayella's face is injured, suggesting a left - handed assailant; Tom's left arm is mangled and useless, but Bob Ewell is left - handed . When Atticus asks her if she has any friends, she becomes confused because she does not know what a friend is . During her testimony she is confused by Atticus' polite speech and thinks that his use of "Miss Mayella" is meant to mock her . She testifies against Tom Robinson . Mayella is played by Collin Wilcox in the film . </P> <P> Thomas "Tom" Robinson is an African - American who is put on trial for the rape of a white woman, Mayella Ewell . Atticus is assigned to defend him, and stands up to a lynch mob intent on exacting their own justice against him before the trial begins . Tom's left arm is crippled and useless, the result of an accident with a cotton gin when he was a child . Atticus uses this fact as the cornerstone of his defense strategy, pointing out that the nature of Mayella's facial injuries strongly suggest a left - handed assailant . Tom testifies that he had frequently helped Mayella with household chores because he felt sorry for her and the family's difficult life - a statement that shocks the all - white, male jury . Despite Atticus' skilled defense, the jury's racial prejudices lead them to find Tom guilty . Atticus plans to appeal the verdict, but before he can do so, Tom is shot and killed while trying to escape the prison where he is being held . Tom Robinson is played by Brock Peters . </P>

Who is jim in to kill a mockingbird