Mockingbird vs. Mad Dog Symbolism

CH. 25-27 Quiz Mr. Ewell said Tom’s death meant “one down and about two more to go.” What did he mean? During her lesson, Miss Caroline says, “over here we don’t believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution comes from people who are prejudiced. Pre-ju-dice. . . . There are no better people in the world than the Jews, and why Hitler doesn’t think so is a mystery to me.” What is wrong (or ironic) with this statement? What is Scout’s costume? Why is she dressed up?

The Symbolism How is Tom Robinson like a mockingbird? How is Bob Ewell like a mad dog? Explain that the students will answer these questions today.

Find the Symbol With a partner, determine five characteristics of Mockingbirds and five characteristics of Mad Dogs by finding details in the text: mockingbird (Lee 90), mad dog (Lee 94-97). Write your list in your journal. They can choose their partner, but each student must write their list in their journal. The page numbers listed contain the description of each animal. Give them 5 minutes for this step.

Find the Character With your partner, find one passage in the novel (from chapter 26 or 27 or elsewhere) that describes Tom Robinson. Find one in the novel (from chapter 26 or 27 or elsewhere) that describes Bob Ewell. Write the passages in your journal. Look for quotes that compare these men to a mockingbird and a mad dog. Give them 5-7 minutes for this step. If students are struggling to find quotes, these work well: Tom Robinson quote: “He [Mr. Underwood] likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children . . . ” (Lee 241). Bob Ewell quote: Mr. Deas said, “Get your stinkin’ carcass off my property” (Lee 249). Scout tells us that Helen “saw Mr. Ewell walking behind her. . . . Mr. Ewell kept the same distance behind her until she reached Mr. Link Dea’s house. . . . She heard a soft voice behind her, crooning foul words” (Lee 249).

Explain the Symbolism - Tom Individually, complete this paragraph (fill in the blanks): Tom Robinson is a mockingbird because ___________________________________. Mockingbirds are _____________________. Harper Lee wrote, “_________________ _____________________” (Lee ____). This quote means ________________________ ______. The quote demonstrates that Tom is like a mockingbird because ______________ ___________________________________. Students should complete this step individually. Explain that the first sentence is a claim, the second sentence is setting up the quote, the third sentence is the data, and the fourth and the fifth sentences are the warrant. Students should use the mockingbird characteristics they wrote down and the quote they gathered to complete this paragraph. This step should take about 10 minutes.

Explain the Symbolism - Bob On your own, create a paragraph for Bob Ewell similar to the one you wrote for Tom Robinson. Explain why Bob Ewell is like a mad dog. Remember to include a claim, data, and a warrant in your paragraph. Students should complete this step in 10-15 minutes.

Hitler and the Jews In chapter 26, Miss Caroline and her class discuss that Hitler persecutes the Jews because he is prejudiced. Read page 245 in TKAM and complete the following two sentences: Hitler is like a mad dog because _________ ___________________________________. The Jews are like mockingbirds because __ ___________________________________. Answer this question in 1-2 sentences: Do you think Bob Ewell and Tom Robinson can be compared to Hitler and the Jews? Why or why not? This final step should be completed individually, and should take them 10-15 minutes.

Homework Finish the novel for homework (chapters 28-31). Take the rest of the class period to read on your own. This is a longer reading assignment, so take advantage of all the time you have.