To Kill a Mockingbird
Small-town Alabama, 1932. Atticus Finch (played by Gregory Peck) is a lawyer and a widower. He has two young children, Jem and Scout. Atticus Finch is currently defending Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. Meanwhile, Jem and Scout are intrigued by their neighbours, the Radleys, and the mysterious, seldom-seen Boo Radley in particular.
Despite its tight budget of $2.0M, To Kill a Mockingbird became a commercial juggernaut, earning $13.1M worldwide—a remarkable 556% return. The film's unconventional structure engaged audiences, confirming that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
3 Oscars. 14 wins & 16 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) reveals precise story structure, characteristic of Robert Mulligan's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 9 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 3.4, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Atticus Finch
Scout Finch
Jem Finch
Tom Robinson
Boo Radley
Calpurnia
Bob Ewell
Mayella Ewell
Main Cast & Characters
Atticus Finch
Played by Gregory Peck
A principled lawyer in Depression-era Alabama who defends a Black man falsely accused of rape, teaching his children about justice and moral courage.
Scout Finch
Played by Mary Badham
The young narrator and protagonist who grows from childhood innocence to moral awareness through her father's example and the town's injustice.
Jem Finch
Played by Phillip Alford
Scout's older brother who struggles with the loss of innocence as he witnesses prejudice and injustice in his hometown.
Tom Robinson
Played by Brock Peters
A kind, disabled Black man falsely accused of rape who becomes the victim of racial injustice despite clear evidence of innocence.
Boo Radley
Played by Robert Duvall
A reclusive neighbor shrouded in mystery and childhood fears who ultimately proves to be a protective guardian and symbol of misunderstood goodness.
Calpurnia
Played by Estelle Evans
The Finch family's Black housekeeper who serves as a maternal figure and moral guide, bridging two worlds with dignity and wisdom.
Bob Ewell
Played by James Anderson
The racist, abusive antagonist who falsely accuses Tom Robinson and seeks revenge against those who exposed his lies.
Mayella Ewell
Played by Collin Wilcox
Bob Ewell's lonely, abused daughter whose false accusation stems from shame and her father's coercion.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Adult Scout's voiceover introduces Maycomb, Alabama during the Depression as a tired, sleepy town where days seemed endless. Young Scout, Jem, and Dill play innocently in the summer heat, representing childhood freedom before the loss of innocence.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Atticus is appointed to defend Tom Robinson, a Black man accused of raping Mayella Ewell. This case will shatter the children's innocent world and force Maycomb's racial prejudices into the open, disrupting the Finch family's peaceful existence.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Atticus sits outside the jailhouse protecting Tom Robinson from a lynch mob. Scout, Jem, and Dill run to him, and Scout's innocent conversation with Mr. Cunningham shames the mob into dispersing. The children have crossed into the adult world of racial violence., moving from reaction to action.
At 58 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Despite Atticus's brilliant defense proving Tom's innocence, the all-white jury returns a guilty verdict. The children witness injustice triumph over truth. As Atticus leaves, the Black community stands in respect - a false defeat that reveals his moral victory amid legal failure., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 87 minutes (67% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Tom Robinson's death is reported - shot seventeen times while allegedly trying to escape prison. This senseless killing of an innocent man represents the ultimate failure of justice and the "whiff of death" that marks the story's lowest point., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 93 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 72% of the runtime. On Halloween night, Bob Ewell attacks Scout and Jem as they walk home from the school pageant. In the darkness, the children face mortal danger as Ewell's revenge finally strikes. This threshold plunges them into the climactic confrontation., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
To Kill a Mockingbird's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping To Kill a Mockingbird against these established plot points, we can identify how Robert Mulligan utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish To Kill a Mockingbird within the crime genre.
Robert Mulligan's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Robert Mulligan films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.0, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. To Kill a Mockingbird takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Robert Mulligan filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Rustom and The Whole Ten Yards. For more Robert Mulligan analyses, see Come September, Kiss Me Goodbye.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Adult Scout's voiceover introduces Maycomb, Alabama during the Depression as a tired, sleepy town where days seemed endless. Young Scout, Jem, and Dill play innocently in the summer heat, representing childhood freedom before the loss of innocence.
Theme
Atticus tells Scout, "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." This central theme of empathy and moral understanding will guide the entire narrative.
Worldbuilding
The children's world is established: their games, the mystery of Boo Radley, Scout's first day of school, and the social hierarchy of Maycomb. We meet Calpurnia, Miss Maudie, and learn of Atticus's role as a widowed lawyer raising two children with quiet dignity.
Disruption
Atticus is appointed to defend Tom Robinson, a Black man accused of raping Mayella Ewell. This case will shatter the children's innocent world and force Maycomb's racial prejudices into the open, disrupting the Finch family's peaceful existence.
Resistance
Scout and Jem face the consequences of Atticus's decision. They endure taunts from classmates and neighbors. Atticus guides them through this period, teaching them about courage and why he must defend Tom despite knowing he'll lose. The children debate whether their father is brave.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Atticus sits outside the jailhouse protecting Tom Robinson from a lynch mob. Scout, Jem, and Dill run to him, and Scout's innocent conversation with Mr. Cunningham shames the mob into dispersing. The children have crossed into the adult world of racial violence.
Mirror World
The Boo Radley subplot deepens as the children find gifts in the tree knothole and realize someone is watching over them. Boo represents another "mockingbird" - an innocent destroyed by cruelty. His story parallels Tom's and teaches Scout about judging others.
Premise
The trial of Tom Robinson unfolds. The children sneak into the colored balcony to watch. Atticus methodically dismantles the prosecution's case, proving Tom's innocence through evidence and exposing Bob Ewell's lies. This is the "promise of the premise" - watching justice in action.
Midpoint
Despite Atticus's brilliant defense proving Tom's innocence, the all-white jury returns a guilty verdict. The children witness injustice triumph over truth. As Atticus leaves, the Black community stands in respect - a false defeat that reveals his moral victory amid legal failure.
Opposition
The aftermath of the verdict brings escalating danger. Bob Ewell spits in Atticus's face and vows revenge. Tom Robinson is killed "trying to escape." The children struggle to understand how such injustice can exist. Scout's innocence erodes as the consequences of hatred unfold.
Collapse
Tom Robinson's death is reported - shot seventeen times while allegedly trying to escape prison. This senseless killing of an innocent man represents the ultimate failure of justice and the "whiff of death" that marks the story's lowest point.
Crisis
Atticus delivers the news to Tom's family while the children process this tragedy. The death of an innocent man weighs heavily. Bob Ewell's threats continue to loom. Scout and Jem must reconcile their father's teachings with the cruel reality of their world.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
On Halloween night, Bob Ewell attacks Scout and Jem as they walk home from the school pageant. In the darkness, the children face mortal danger as Ewell's revenge finally strikes. This threshold plunges them into the climactic confrontation.
Synthesis
A mysterious figure saves the children, killing Bob Ewell. Jem is injured but alive. Scout finally meets Boo Radley - the reclusive neighbor who protected them. Sheriff Tate decides to rule Ewell's death an accident, protecting Boo from unwanted attention like protecting a mockingbird.
Transformation
Scout walks Boo home and stands on his porch, finally seeing the neighborhood from his perspective - fulfilling Atticus's lesson about walking in another's skin. She has transformed from innocent child to someone who understands both the evil and goodness in humanity.