To Kill a Mockingbird Review
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What narrative point of view does Harper Lee use to begin the story?
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Scout's point of view, first person, 6 year old, flashback
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What can the reader to expect to learn from this narrative point of view?
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Scout's view on everything. Only what she thinks is important.
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Why does Jem tell Scout not to ask Dill about his father? What can the reader infer about Jem and Scouts relationship from this exchange?
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Respects and obeys Jem. Sensitive subject. Scout is observing and inquisitive.
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Breifly describe how the Radleys are different from the other people in Maycomb.
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They separate themselves from the rest of the town. Rumors about Boo. Don't go to church. Mr.R doesn't work. Don't socialize
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Why does Jem take three days to accept Dill's dare and go up to the Radleys' home? What theme is Lee introducing with Jem's response to Dill's dare?
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Doesn't want them to think he is scared. The theme of choice and making good or bad decisions.
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What does Harper Lee mean by calling Miss Stephanie Crawford, "a neighborhood scold?"
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She gossips a lot about the neighbors and the Radleys. Grouchy. Harper doesn't like gossip.
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What is the setting of the story? How does Harper Lee use this setting to set the tone?
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Maycomb, Alabama. Set in mid 1930s during Great Depression. Small, poor town in the South that is undisturbed.
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From the beginning of the story, the narrator reflects on events on events of the past. How is this evident to the reader, and how many may it affect suspense and story development
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We always kind of know what is next. Some suspense
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What is the first event that Lee uses to being building suspense in the story?
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Jem breaking his arm, assured it heals, don't agree how it got broken. Want to know how/why
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Briefly describe Boo Radley. What purpose does Boo serve in this story?
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He is the mystery, absent character, Jem makes him sound very scary, doesn't like to socialize
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Why does Miss Caroline hit Scout with the ruler?
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Scout makes Miss Caroline look dumb
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Is Scout's first day of school what she expected? Why or why not?
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No. They tell her she is not allowed to read any more at home and are upset she already knows more than the other kids
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How does Harper Lee use the school setting to give the reader important exposition about southern culture?
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Poverty, repetition, and all white
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How does Harper Lee show that Miss Caroline is not familiar with Maycomb customs?
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Disagreement, new way of teaching, unfamiliar, no control over her kids
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What could be Lee's motivation for having Miss Caroline come from another county other than Maycomb.
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Different teachings, different societies
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How does Lee create sympathy for Miss Caroline at the end of the chapter?
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She doesn't know how to deal with kids and lays her head down on the desk, frustrated, irritated.
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Describes Lee's use of humor as Jem tries to explain Miss Caroline's teaching theories to scout.
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Jem says that she is using the Dewey Decimal System and it is a type of organizing books, not a way of teaching.
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Why does Jem invite Walter to dinner? What social issue does Lee introduce with the character of Walter Cunningham?
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He does not have lunch, Jem feel bad. Dad payed back more than necessary, kind, severe poverty. Issue of status and poverty
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What does atticus mean when he says to scout, "-until you climb into this skin and walk around in it?"
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think about things from their point of view, put yourself in their shoes
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Compare and contrast Walter Cunningham and Burris Ewell. What is Lee illustrating with the differences in these two characters?
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Walter is kind, proud, poor, and works hard. Burris is rude, poor, inconsiderate and doesn't care. They are two different types of poor people
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Why does Atticus not want Scout to tell Miss Caroline about their compromise? What does this indicate about Atticus' character?
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He is open minded but disagrees with the teacher but won't disagree in front of Scout so Scout still respects her. Cares for her happiness
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The reader learns that Scout and Jem's mother is dead, and they have an African-American housekeeper named Calpurnia. What significance does Calpurnia have for the plot?
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Like a second mother, raised children, Has own family but her job, even if they like Cal, she is still several levels down.
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What does Scout learn on the first day of school?
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Don't judge based on appearance, not everyone has the same rules, must deal with unpleasant people, all adults don't react with her some way.
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What is the symbolism of Scout's nickname?
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She is always scouting for information, she is a tomboy like a boy scout, adventurous, curious
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What does Jem's response to Scout's chewing the gum tell the reader about his feelings for her?
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He seems like he gets mad at her but is really just worried that someone did something to the gum and it might kill her since she found it at the Radley's
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What do Scout's reasons for wanting to stop the game foreshadow?
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Her increasing awareness of her father's kindness and he wouldn't approve.
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What can the reader infer from the two indian head pennies?
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Indian head pennies are good luck and someone knows there are two people and are watching them. It was something to get their attention while they are walking by.
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What character trait do Jem and Scout illustrate with their ambivalence about taking the pennies?
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They want them, but they don't want to steal them if they are someones and it is just their hiding spot. They know right from wrong.
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How does Scout's conversation with Miss Maudie develop the reader's sympathy for Arthur Radley?
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Boo's father might have been abusive but Boo was a good guy. Gives us a new image of Boo. He might have lived a sad life.
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Why is Atticus angry with Jem, Scout, and Dill?
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They disobey him by playing the game of Boo's life and doing it where the whole neighborhood can see
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What is Atticus' attitude toward the Radleys? What conclusions can the reader infer about Atticus' character?
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He seems to think that they should respect Boo and not poke fun at him. He is reasonable and thinks he has a right to be left alone. He respect's people's rights.
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Why can Scout and Jem get away with their actions toward other people?
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They "don't know any better" , innocent. they play games and use the word "******" and are unaware of the effects of these words. if adults did same thing, they would be in big trouble
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When Scout becomes suspicious of Dill's suggestion to go for a walk, how do the boys respond?
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They tell her to go home and she is getting to be more like a girl every day. Scout gets frustrated and angry.
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What examples does Lee use to show that Scout does not act like a proper, southern young lady?
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She doesn't call Atticus father, she wears overalls, no dolls, and breaks all of the norms.
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How does Lee use light and darkness to create suspense in this chapter?
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The light is safety and the dark is fear. The darkest part of the night is the scariest.
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Describe Scout's internal conflict when Jem decides to go get his pants.
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She wants him to get his pants but she doesn't want him to get shot. She also doesn't want him to be caught and if the pants weren't there, Atticus would know they had been there.
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What does Scout mean when she says, "It was then, I suppose, that Jem and I first began to part company?" What could Lee's purpose be for hanging Scout say this?
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They have different identities and they are starting to grow apart.
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What does Scout mean when she says, "I tried to climb in Jem's skin and walk around in it...", and what is significant about her saying this?
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She is trying to see his view on the situation and understand his decisions, listened to Atticus
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What makes second grade better than first grade for Scout?
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She gets to walk home with Jem
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What is ironic about Jem's telling Scout about the pants on this specific day?
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It is the same day they find the yarn in the tree. Situational irony. We know and they don't that the pants and the twine are the same person.
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What does the reader learn about Jem's character in this chapter when he decides to write a letter?
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They value doing what is right and they try to thank the person even though they don't know who it is.
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Why does Lee periodically have Jem and Scout find something in the tree?
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It is a piece of mystery and things are not always as they seem. Reminder of Boo
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What did Atticus mean when he told Scout to delete the adjective and she would find facts? Why does Lee include this conversation in the book?
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If she takes away the embellishing, she will find the truth. They are smart but not always totally right.
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What does Lee accomplish by having Jem ask Nathan Radley about the cement in the knot hole.
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It shows conflicting beliefs between Atticus and Nathan. Nathan trying to stop his brother and Atticus seeing the best in people.
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What does Jem's resistance to cry in front of Scout foreshadow?
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He is unhappy Nathan lied and he is going through changes as he tries to figure himself out. Atticus doesn't show lots of emotion and Jem's role model is Atticus.
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What could Lee be foreshadowing with the unusual weather?
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A change and difficulty, unusual events, change in Maycomb
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What is the Irony of Calpurnia saying she would be warmer in her house? What could Lee mean by having Calpurnia say this?
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Situational Irony. Small house vs. big house. Cal can easier keep warm in her small house than their big one. She would be more comfortable in her own home with her family
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Why does Atticus start to get angry at the children after the fire?
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He thinks they disobeyed him and left to get a blanket.
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What can the reader infer from Jem's reaction to Atticus' request form him to get the wrapping paper out of the pantry?
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Jem is worried Nathan will be mad at Boo and hurt him. It is his payment back to Boo for the pants.
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How does Lee use Miss Maudie's conversation with Jem and Scout the morning after the fire to illustrate the theme of racism?
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Jem says she should get a "colored man" to help her with her flowers after he sees her hands. He doesn't thin about the fact that the mans hands would also get scraped up.
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What does the blanket symbolize?
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Boo Radley's caring nature.
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How does Lee use Scout's innocence as a vehicle to explain Atticus' attitude toward African-Americans?
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She is Atticus audience so he can share what he knows and what he believes, like his distaste for the word "******."
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How does Lee use humor when Atticus talks to Scout about saying ******?
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Scout says that if she is picking up such bad words at school, she shouldn't have to go anymore.
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How might the reader's impression of Aunt Alexandra be different if Lee had written the story in the third person?
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We would see a more true, less biased version of her.
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What does the reader learn about Dill in this Chapter? Why does Lee mention this?
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He is passed from family member to family member and no one really wants him, deprived of love. We feel sympathy for Dill.
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How does Lee create sympathy for Scout in this chapter?
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When she gets in a fight, they immediately assume she is responsible even though she is not. Ex. with Francis
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What can the reader infer about Lee's purpose for introducing Uncle Jack in this chapter?
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Someone Atticus can talk to about raising his children, good role model for the children even if he does not know how to talk to them
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What suspense does Lee create for the reader in this chapter?
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Trial is starting, they will need to be strong, do not know outcome
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How can the reader see Scout change during this chapter?
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She listens to her father and is practicing restraint even though she just wants to protect Atticus. Controlling herself better
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At the end of the chapter, Atticus tells Jack that Judge Taylor assigned the Robinson case to Atticus. How might this impact the reader's impression of Atticus?
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The Judge assigned the case to Atticus but if Atticus was not assigned to the trial, would he have taken the case?
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What upsets the children the most about Atticus taking the Robinson case? What is Lee's purpose for having the children hear the community's attitude toward Atticus?
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It upsets the children that there are lots of cruel comments drifting about and this proves that Atticus' bringing up of the children is working. They don't see why everyone is so upset.
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Briefly describe Atticus' character
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He is kind and the children respect him. He is around 40-50 and older than the other children's dads. He is a man of principle and likes to avoid conflict.
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What is the meaning of "tooth and nail," and what type of literary expression is this?
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Idiom, it means she will fight viciously to protect Atticus.
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According to Scout's narrative, what is the children's impression of Atticus?
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They love him but are embarrassed he doesn't do what the other fathers do-hunt or fish. He really is just more principled.
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How does Lee occasionally offer the reader an adult perspective on Scout's narrative?
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She has Scout talk to Miss Maudie and she questions her opinions and viewpoints.
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How does Lee use Calpurnia's action in dealing with Tim Johnson to show the subtle discrimination prevalent in small southern towns?
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Atticus shoots the dog and won't let his children near it but tells Cal to call her kid to come take care of it.
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What did the children learn about Atticus as a result of their sighting of Tim Johnson?
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Atticus used to be a very good shot and people called him one-shot finch when he was younger.
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What character trait does Lee reinforce by having Atticus shoot the dog, tell the children to stay away from the dog's body, and then return to the office? How did it affect their opinion of Atticus?
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Atticus is very humble and there is no reason for the children to be embarrassed about him being their father.
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How does Lee introduce the significance of the book's title? What does it symbolize?
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Innocence. It is a sin to kill a mockingbird because all they do is sing.
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What does Jem mean about Atticus being a gentleman like him? What change does this illustrate about Jem?
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Jem is maturing and inferring if Atticus doesn't talk about it, he doesn't believe in violence.
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What is Lee's purpose for introducing Mrs. Dubose?
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Counter Jem's impression of dad's bravery and things are not always as they appear.
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Why does Jem destroy Mrs. Dubose' camellia bushes?
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He take her insultes to heart and lets out all of his bottled up mad fealing.
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How does the reader benefit from Scout telling the story about Mrs. Dubose as an adult?
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As a kid, she would be confused and upset about her baton. As an adult, she knows that Jem had been holding in all of his anger and just let it out.
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What is the purpose of Scout's Allusion to Dixie Howell?
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She it trying to cheer him up by comparing him to a famous football player.
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What humor does Lee use to lighten Atticus' discussion with Jem about reading to Mrs. Dubose?
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He says for Jem to pretend it is Boo Radley's house because he seems to be so fascinated by him.
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What does Lee show about Atticus' character when Scout asks him the meaning of "******-lover?"
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Atticus is compassionate and after he figures out is was said about him, not her, he tells her what it means.
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How does Atticus use Mrs. Dubose's death to teach the children about courage?
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Though Atticus is courageous, Dubose was courageous and got free of her addiction. Courage is more than a man with a gun, but seeing something through even if it is not going well
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How does Atticus' definition of courage foreshadow upcoming events?
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He doesn't expect to win the case but he will see it through to the end.
