To Kill a MockingbirdTo Kill a Mockingbird

IntroductionIntroduction

IntroductionIntroduction

To Kill a Mockingbird (TKAM)To Kill a Mockingbird (TKAM) is a largely is a largely

autobiographical novel written by Harper Lee.autobiographical novel written by Harper Lee.

Biography Biography –– the story of someonethe story of someone’’s lifes life

Autobiography Autobiography –– the story of someonethe story of someone’’s life, told s life, told

by that personby that person

About the AuthorAbout the Author

Harper LeeHarper Lee �� Born Born NelleNelle Harper Lee, April 28, 1926Harper Lee, April 28, 1926

�� Grew up during the Great Depression Grew up during the Great Depression

–– hard economic timeshard economic times

�� Grew up in Monroeville, Alabama, in Grew up in Monroeville, Alabama, in

the heart of the South, where racial the heart of the South, where racial

tension was hightension was high

Autobiographical Elements:Autobiographical Elements:

Harper Lee v. Scout FinchHarper Lee v. Scout Finch

Born in Monroeville, AlabamaBorn in Monroeville, Alabama

Grew up in 1930sGrew up in 1930s

Father was a lawyerFather was a lawyer

MotherMother’’s maiden name = Finchs maiden name = Finch

Born in Born in MaycombMaycomb, Alabama, Alabama

Grew up in 1930sGrew up in 1930s

Father (Atticus) is a lawyerFather (Atticus) is a lawyer

Last name = FinchLast name = Finch

Setting of Setting of TKAMTKAM

Setting is a very strong element in Setting is a very strong element in TKAMTKAM. It is linked . It is linked

with theme, character, and plot.with theme, character, and plot.

Time: 1930s, Great Depression era Time: 1930s, Great Depression era ––

�� Economic difficulties of this time caused problems for all Economic difficulties of this time caused problems for all

classes of peopleclasses of people

�� There was a sharp division between blacks and whites in There was a sharp division between blacks and whites in

societysociety

Place: Place: MaycombMaycomb, Alabama , Alabama –– AlabamaAlabama is renown is renown

as a site of racial tension, historicallyas a site of racial tension, historically

What is a Theme?What is a Theme?

Theme Theme –– The controlling idea or The controlling idea or

meaning of a work of art.meaning of a work of art.

Setting and ThemeSetting and Theme

Themes in the novel are based on the concept of racial Themes in the novel are based on the concept of racial

prejudice which was so much a part of society at that prejudice which was so much a part of society at that

time:time:

Lee stresses the need for human Lee stresses the need for human

understanding to destroy the understanding to destroy the

evils of racial prejudice.evils of racial prejudice.

Narrative Point of ViewNarrative Point of View

TKAM TKAM is told in the first person, from the point of view is told in the first person, from the point of view of Scout Finch, a young girl.of Scout Finch, a young girl.

The story is not told by the younger Scout finch. It is told The story is not told by the younger Scout finch. It is told by an older Scout, looking back. However, the point of by an older Scout, looking back. However, the point of view is mostly a firstview is mostly a first--person limited one; that is, limited person limited one; that is, limited to the knowledge of the younger Scout.to the knowledge of the younger Scout.

In this way, the narration presents a sort of In this way, the narration presents a sort of ““doubleddoubled””perspective on the events.perspective on the events.

Question:Question:

Why would the author choose to Why would the author choose to

present a firstpresent a first--person limited point person limited point

of view, rather than an omniscient of view, rather than an omniscient

one? What advantage is there to one? What advantage is there to

using the firstusing the first--person limited?person limited?

Now that you have read Chapter Now that you have read Chapter

oneone……

�� What were your initial reactions?What were your initial reactions?

�� This novel deals with many social issues. Some This novel deals with many social issues. Some

may be very sensitive for people. We must be may be very sensitive for people. We must be

respectful.respectful.

�� For the following list write a 1 beside the For the following list write a 1 beside the

statement if you strongly agree, 2 if you agree, 3 statement if you strongly agree, 2 if you agree, 3

for disagree, and 4 for strongly disagree.for disagree, and 4 for strongly disagree.

1. All women/men are created equal1. All women/men are created equal

2.2. Girls should act like girlsGirls should act like girls

3.3. ItIt’’s okay to be differents okay to be different

4.4. Nobody is all bad or all goodNobody is all bad or all good

5.5. Some words are so offensive that they should Some words are so offensive that they should

never be stated or writtennever be stated or written

6.6. Under our justice system, all citizens are Under our justice system, all citizens are

treated fairly in our courts of lawtreated fairly in our courts of law

7.7. ““Sticks and StonesSticks and Stones…”…” is trueis true

8.8. Speaking standard grammar proves that a Speaking standard grammar proves that a

person is smartperson is smart

9.9. A hero is born, not madeA hero is born, not made

10.10. No one is above the lawNo one is above the law

11.11. Education is the great equalizerEducation is the great equalizer

12.12. When the law doesnWhen the law doesn’’t succeed in punishing t succeed in punishing

criminals, citizens should do so.criminals, citizens should do so.

Chapter one VocabularyChapter one Vocabulary

�� AssuagedAssuaged

�� DictumDictum

�� TaciturnTaciturn

�� UnsulliedUnsullied

�� RepertoireRepertoire

�� MalevolentMalevolent

Chapter One QuestionsChapter One Questions

1.1. Who is the narrator of this story and what is Who is the narrator of this story and what is

the advantage of having her?the advantage of having her?

2.2. What is the function of relating the family What is the function of relating the family

history at the outset of the novel?history at the outset of the novel?

3.3. Cite details to establish the setting of the Cite details to establish the setting of the

novel.novel.

4.4. Briefly explain why Boo is kept locked up. Briefly explain why Boo is kept locked up.

Describe the Describe the ““legendlegend”” of Boo.of Boo.

Chapter Two Vocabulary & Chapter Two Vocabulary &

QuestionsQuestions

�� IndigenousIndigenous

�� SojournSojourn

�� VexationsVexations

1.1. What Satirical points are being made about What Satirical points are being made about

education through Scouteducation through Scout’’s experience in school?s experience in school?

2.2. Why does Scout explain Walter CunninghamWhy does Scout explain Walter Cunningham’’s s

situation to Miss Caroline?situation to Miss Caroline?

Chapter 3Chapter 3

Vocabulary:Vocabulary:

�� ErraticErratic

�� ContentiousContentious

�� FractiousFractious

1.1. Cite examples of contrast in Cite examples of contrast in JemJem and and Scout.Scout.

2.2. Contrast Burris Contrast Burris EwellEwell with the other with the other children. What is the reason for the children. What is the reason for the description?description?

Chapter 4 VocabularyChapter 4 Vocabulary

�� Vocabulary:Vocabulary:

�� Auspicious: Auspicious:

�� What do Scout and What do Scout and JemJem find in the hole in the tree? find in the hole in the tree?

Does either of them know how the objects got there? Does either of them know how the objects got there?

What is learned about What is learned about JemJem and Scout from their diverse and Scout from their diverse

(different) reactions to the objects in the tree?(different) reactions to the objects in the tree?

�� Who did Dill spend his summers in Who did Dill spend his summers in MaycombMaycomb with? with?

Why do you think he tells false tales about his father?Why do you think he tells false tales about his father?

Chapter 5 Vocabulary & QuestionsChapter 5 Vocabulary & Questions

�� CordialityCordiality

�� EdificationEdification

1.1. Discuss the introduction of Miss Discuss the introduction of Miss MaudieMaudie. What do . What do

the kids think of her?the kids think of her?

22 What does Miss What does Miss MaudieMaudie say about Arthur say about Arthur RadleyRadley??

3.3. Explain what Miss Explain what Miss MaudieMaudie means by means by ““But sometimes But sometimes

the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a

whiskey bottle in the hand of oh, of your father.whiskey bottle in the hand of oh, of your father.””

Chapter 6Chapter 6

Vocabulary & QuestionsVocabulary & Questions

�� MalignantMalignant

1.1. What is significant about What is significant about JemJem’’ss decision to make decision to make

a lone nocturnal return to the a lone nocturnal return to the RadleyRadley place?place?

2.2. What is significant about the townWhat is significant about the town’’s conclusion s conclusion

regarding the disturbances at the regarding the disturbances at the RadleyRadley’’ss place?place?

Chapter 7 Vocabulary & QuestionsChapter 7 Vocabulary & Questions

�� VigilVigil

�� PalatePalate

�� GnatsGnats

1. 1. What did What did JemJem reveal to Scout about his pants?reveal to Scout about his pants?

2.2. Name the five items which were left in the tree.Name the five items which were left in the tree.

3.3. What do you begin to suspect about the What do you begin to suspect about the RadleyRadley household?household?

4.4. a) What was Nathana) What was Nathan’’s reason for cementing up the hole?s reason for cementing up the hole?

b) What is the significance of the cement in the tree? b) What is the significance of the cement in the tree?

5. 5. Why does Why does JemJem sit outside and quietly cry at the end of sit outside and quietly cry at the end of this chapter? this chapter?

Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Vocabulary:Vocabulary:

�� AberrationsAberrations

�� PerpetratedPerpetrated

�� PlaitedPlaited

Questions:Questions:

�� 1. What was the reason given for the bad weather? Who 1. What was the reason given for the bad weather? Who told the children this?told the children this?

�� 2. Why did Scout think that the world was coming to an 2. Why did Scout think that the world was coming to an end?end?

�� 3. How did the children make a snowman? (give details)3. How did the children make a snowman? (give details)

�� 4. Who did the snowman look like?4. Who did the snowman look like?

�� 5. Why did Atticus wake Scout up in the middle of the 5. Why did Atticus wake Scout up in the middle of the night?night?

�� 6. What strange thing happened to Scout?6. What strange thing happened to Scout?

Chapter 9Chapter 9

�� Vocabulary:Vocabulary:

�� IngenuousIngenuous

�� RemorsefulRemorseful

�� InvectiveInvective

�� JettyJetty

�� Questions:Questions:

�� 1. Why did Scout get into a fight?1. Why did Scout get into a fight?

�� 2. Why did Atticus feel he had to defend Tom Robinson? 2. Why did Atticus feel he had to defend Tom Robinson?

�� 3. What advice did Atticus give Scout?3. What advice did Atticus give Scout?

�� 4. Why was Scout so mad at Uncle Jack?4. Why was Scout so mad at Uncle Jack?

Chapter 10Chapter 10

�� Vocabulary:Vocabulary:

�� InconspicuousInconspicuous ArticulateArticulate PerilPeril

�� Questions:Questions:

�� 1. Explain Atticus1. Explain Atticus’’ warning warning ““itit’’s a sin to kill a s a sin to kill a

mockingbirdmockingbird””..

�� 2. What surprised 2. What surprised JemJem and Scout about Atticus?and Scout about Atticus?

�� 3. What was Atticus3. What was Atticus’’ nickname when he was a nickname when he was a

boy?boy?

Chapter 11Chapter 11

�� Vocabulary:Vocabulary:

�� Apoplectic Apoplectic PalliationPalliation OppressiveOppressive

�� Questions:Questions:

�� 1. Why did 1. Why did JemJem and Scout dislike Mrs. Dubose?and Scout dislike Mrs. Dubose?

�� 2. What did 2. What did JemJem do to do to ““pay backpay back”” Mrs. Dubose for her Mrs. Dubose for her comments?comments?

�� 3. What did 3. What did JemJem have to do to help make up for what he have to do to help make up for what he did?did?

�� 4. What were the circumstances of Mrs. Dubose4. What were the circumstances of Mrs. Dubose’’ death?death?

�� 5. What was Atticus5. What was Atticus’’ definition of courage?definition of courage?

Chapter 12Chapter 12

�� Ch12Ch12: Why does : Why does CalpurniaCalpurnia take take JemJem and Scout and Scout to her church?to her church?

�� What does Reverend Sykes do to make sure that What does Reverend Sykes do to make sure that enough money is collected from the enough money is collected from the congregation?congregation?

�� For what is the money to be used?For what is the money to be used?

�� In what way does this visit increase ScoutIn what way does this visit increase Scout’’s s understanding of understanding of CalpurniaCalpurnia??

�� AppallingAppalling frivolousfrivolous bodedboded

Chapter 13Chapter 13

�� How does Aunt Alexandra spend her days?How does Aunt Alexandra spend her days?

�� In what way does Aunt AlexandraIn what way does Aunt Alexandra’’s version of s version of

cousin Joshua differ from Atticuscousin Joshua differ from Atticus’’??

�� Why does Atticus visit the children in Why does Atticus visit the children in JemJem’’ss

room?room?

�� Why, do you think, does Scout begin to cry?Why, do you think, does Scout begin to cry?

�� TactfulTactful prerogativeprerogative devoiddevoid

caste systemcaste system

Chapter 14Chapter 14

�� In what ways are the viewpoints of Atticus and In what ways are the viewpoints of Atticus and

Aunt Alexandra different?Aunt Alexandra different?

�� Why has Dill run away?Why has Dill run away?

�� TautTaut manaclesmanacles erosionerosion

Chapter 15Chapter 15

�� Chapter 15Chapter 15

�� Why does a group of men come to visit Atticus Why does a group of men come to visit Atticus

at his house?at his house?

�� How does How does JemJem break up the meeting?break up the meeting?

�� Why does a second group of men go to the jail?Why does a second group of men go to the jail?

�� How does Scout manage to break up the crowd?How does Scout manage to break up the crowd?

�� VenueVenue ominousominous futilityfutility

uncouthuncouth