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Charles Bakering "Dill" Harris is one of the only friends of Jem and Scout Finch. He lives in Meridian, Mississippi, and stays at his racist aunt's house, Ms. Rachel, every summer, while he visits Maycomb. His primary goal is to get Boo Radley out of his house. Since meeting the Finch children, he has gone to Maycomb every summer.

In the story[]

Dill, as well as Atticus Finch's children (Jem and Scout) both compose many plans to get Boo Radley out of his house so that they can see him in person. Atticus tells his children not to bother Mr. Radley, as he doesn't need the unnecessary attention.

Dill ran away from home and hid under Scout's bed because his mother and her new husband did not pay enough attention to him. Jem tells Atticus. Atticus welcomes Dill and offers him food before going next door to inform Miss Rachel of Dill’s whereabouts. Dill spends the night at the Finch home and sleeps in the same bed with Scout. Later, Dill returns to Mississippi.

Personal life[]

Unlike Scout and Jem, Dill lacks the security of family love. He is unwanted and unloved by his parents: "They do get on a lot better without me, I cannot help them any." As Francis, another Finch from the novel, says, "He hasn't got a home, he just gets passed around from relative to relative." Dill is described as not having a father; he doesn't know where he lives or when he'll come back, if he does. Dill is likely based on Truman Capote, who was a childhood friend of Harper Lee, who helped him write In Cold Blood.

Appearance[]

In the book, his appearance is described of him having "snow white hair, stuck to his head like duck fluff". He is very short, because Scout towered over him. He also has blue eyes. In the movie, however, he has dark hair and eyes, though the rest of his appearance was accurate, considering height.

Quotes[]

" I am little but i'm old"

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