Dill Harris Character Analysis

Many people may think minor characters don't contribute at all to the structure of a book. But much of the importance of a minor character comes from the way they help shape other major characters. Along with forming these elements, minor characters also help develop and establish new themes throughout the book. They support the progression in the plot while giving additional understandings about major characters. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a complex novel that gives insights into the prejudice contributed by race and classism. Although many minor characters in the book rarely interact with the novel, they carry significant meanings. Among one of these characters is Dill Harris. Harris is introduced in the book as an adventurous …show more content…
Innocence is portrayed throughout the book in Dill’s actions and feelings. The most compelling evidence to prove that Dill supports this theme is on page 9 when it adds, “His hair was snow white and stuck to his head like duckfluff.” Dill’s interactions with this theme are clearly seen through the statement above. For instance ‘duck fluff and white’ are symbolisms of purity and innocence, therefore, the words in the context help identify that Dill is a character who aids the development of innocence. This is very important to the progression of the book because he shapes the major characters of Jem and Scout. Another key point is on page 265 when Dill begins to cry, “ For some reason, Dill started crying and couldn't top; quietly at first, then his sobs were heard by several people in the balcony.” Since Dill is an outsider to Maycomb County he does not see why the town is prejudiced against race and class and thus, he is generating a more sentimental reaction towards the case. On the same note, his innocence helps him see that what is happening to Tom Robinson is not right and just. This is stressed during the novel because as a reader you get the insight of the situations from an unbiased character. In particular, Dill’s innocence is shown through the tales and stories he tells the kids. These fables portray him as if he was living an imaginative life or a dream elsewhere. In the same …show more content…
As mentioned earlier in To Kill a Mockingbird Dill serves as the perfect minor character to portray and develop major themes. The progression of the story can reveal his involvement with the themes of, childhood, maturity, and innocence. He uses his actions and behaviors to conduct these themes. Dill was a great supporting character who he helped lead the story in an influencing way. Many of the events taking place in this novel are due to the support of minor characters like Dill Harris. Even though he plays a minor role in the context of the novel he plays a major role in the structure. There are stereotypes conveying minor characters as not vital to the stories, but without these characters, the story would never be the same and interesting. It is important to realize that without the presence of the minor characters in To Kill a Mockingbird, the novel would have been of poor quality.To conclude, Dills appearance in the book helped develop the themes such as childhood, maturity, and