Charles Baker Harris Reflection

Charles Baker Harris, known as Dill is a young boy who resides in Meridian, Mississippi. Dill stays in Maycomb, Alabama during the summer with his aunt, Miss Rachel and becomes close friends with the Finch kids. Dill Harris begins out as an optimistic child who shares his tales and rumors of stories he hears. As the book, To Kill A Mockingbird, progresses, Dill strays from his creative, childish mind and soon realizes what the real world holds. After a new father comes into his life and the trial of Tom Robinson, Dill picks up on how life actually works outside of his imaginative head. Although Dill becomes upset at the fact that his parents no longer have time for him, he continues to puts a smile on his face and speaks of amusing stories to his friends in Maycomb. Dill sees that the folks he visits in Maycomb are like his real family so he always attempts to make the most of their summers together. Dill declares
Actions such as this one allows the reader to realize that creating stories and lies are all part of Dill’s childish and creative personality. Dill matures out of his previous childhood ways throughout the book. The young boy may seem like he is always cheerful and optimistic, but he actually becomes aware of what actually happens around him. In chapter 19, Dill has an emotional breakdown during Tom Robinson’s trial and says, “I don’t care one speck. It ain’t right, somehow it ain’t right to do ‘em that way” (Lee 199). Dill is referring to the way Mr. Gilmer speaks to Tom. Dill understands it is not right the way the citizens of Maycomb treat people of color. Despite the fact that he is young, Dill understands the problems of the adults’ world. The theme of how children eventually mature, but still search for the happy ways of life even in rough times is shown through the character of