In Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird', what is the name of the narrator?

The narrator of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is Jean Louise “Scout” Finch.

Scout tells the story retrospectively, looking back on events from her childhood in Maycomb, Alabama. She is six years old at the beginning of the novel and lives with her older brother Jem and their widowed father, Atticus Finch, a lawyer. Because the story is filtered through Scout’s developing understanding, readers see both a child’s impressions and an older narrator’s awareness of injustice.

The novel takes place during the Great Depression, primarily from 1933 to 1935. Scout’s experiences—including Atticus’s defense of Tom Robinson—introduce her to racism, class divisions, courage, and moral responsibility. Her friendship with Dill and fascination with the reclusive Boo Radley form another major strand of the story.

Readers sometimes confuse Scout with Jem, Boo Radley, or Atticus because each is central to the plot. Jem is her brother, Atticus is her father, and Boo is their mysterious neighbor. Scout’s full name, Jean Louise, is also easy to overlook because the nickname is used almost throughout the book.