To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter One

Summary As the narrator, Scout, and her brother, Jem, discuss the events leading to his broken arm, she reveals how her ancestors (beginning with Simon Finch) came to Maycomb, Alabama. She then describes the town; a tired, old place in which nearly everyone is related. Scout then focuses on her family: Atticus the father, Calpurnia the cook, and Jem the older brother. Her mother died of a heart attack two years after she was born.

Summary continued Then Scout begins describing their childhood boundaries and games, and introduces Dill (Charles Baker Harris). Dill plays games with them and becomes fixated on the Radley House. Scout describes the history of the Radley place and introduces the character of Arthur “Boo” Radley, a man who never leaves his house and is rarely ever seen.

Summary continued Dill and Scout shame Jem into running up and touching the Radley house, and Scout believes she saw movement behind the curtain.

Analysis Plot: The main plots are introduced in the second paragraph! (Ewells and Radleys) The narrator, Scout, and her brother, Jem, are reminiscing—the plot is a memoir The plot takes place during the Depression

Themes the importance of background/social status: “But they were Haverfords…”(5) justice or lack of it racism – Simon Finch’s slaves; Boo not imprisoned with the negroes gossip and rumours (10-16) fear of the unknown (10-12) courage friendship empathy (18)

Characters Atticus is “satisfactory” as a father; he dislikes criminal law; he supports Calpurnia (who is black) Boo Radley is a mysterious figure—not seen for 15 years—a kind of boogeyman Dill is a “catalyst”: “Let’s try to make him come out” (16) Jem is pretty brave (18-19)

Critical Analyses Simon Finch owned slaves (4) – The Finch’s are part of America’s racist history “It was customary for the men in the family to remain on Simon’s homestead” (4) “…but they were Haverfords, in Maycomb County a name synonymous with jackass.” (5)

“He returned to Saint Stephens only once, to find a wife…(4) – wives are presented as an “object” to be found “Ladies bathed before noon, after their three-o’clock naps,and by nightfall were like soft teacakes with frostings of sweat and sweet talcum.” (5) and “using abusive and profane language in the presence and hearing of a female.” (10)– women are stereotyped as sweet and child-like

Questions 1. Maycomb is a slow, tired town with an incredible assortment of citizens. But, all of them are typical small town personalities: the gossips, the hicks, the poor, the upperclass, the boogeyman, etc. Atticus is a lawyer, a “satisfactory” father, and supportive of his family. Jem is the typical older brother and Scout the typical younger sister. They are best friends, yet fight/argue plenty.

2. Dill is small for his age, with white-blonde hair, and has seen a lot of movies. He visits Maycomb (his Aunt Stephanie) every summer from now on. He is quite obsessed with the Radley house. 3. Arthur hung out with a bad crowd and got arrested for disorderly conduct, etc. His father convinced the Judge to let him keep him locked in the house instead of a state industrial school. He was never seen again for 15 years. The children now see him as a type of boogeyman (p. 13).

4. It is a forbidden place—it’s full of danger and unknown, which is exactly the sort of thing kids are attracted to. 5. The narration is first person, Scout Finch, but she is much older than the character she is describing. Therefore, the ‘present’ is when Scout is older, and the plot of the novel is the ‘past’. It is a memoir.