To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

No, it is not a “how to” book

How is the South different than the rest of the country? Language Food Customs Religion History Climate Race Relations

The Author Background info on Harper Lee: Born in 1926. Raised in Monroeville, AL. Her father was a lawyer. His name was Francis Finch.

Lee and Capote Capote and Lee: Grew up with Truman Capote. Based character Dill on Capote. Capote dedicated his most famous book, In Cold Blood to Harper Lee.

The Author Lee Later in life: The novel won Pulitzer Prize in 1961 Awarded honorary degrees. Only published essays following TKAM. Currently splits her time between New York City and Monroeville.

Where did she get the idea? Where did Harper Lee get the idea for her novel? A case in Scottsboro, AL 2 white women accused an African American man of raping them. Only received lawyer the day of the trial.

Scottsboro Case Cont… No physical evidence of a rape. Medical testimony said no rape. All white jury still convicted them.

Setting Setting: In Maycomb, AL In 1930s During the Great Depression Novel is set during the time of complete segregation.

Class System Class System: Land class Educated class The townspeople The farmers The poor white trash The African Americans

Southern Society African American Nannies: Took care of children Cleaned Cooked Handled most of the discipline.

Southern Society Southern Ladies: look pretty, Participate in ladies groups, Supervise the running of the household.

Southern Society Small Towns: everyone knows you, church is the center of the social scene, not much entertainment, everybody knows everybody’s business, You are judged by your family.

Literary Terms Sub Plot: A small plot within a novel/play that helps to support or build the main plot. Main plot: The trial of Tom Robinson Sub Plot: Mrs. Dubose, the fire, the kids and Boo, etc…

Main Characters Jean Louise “Scout” Finch: six years old, tomboy Jeremy Atticus “Jem” Finch: 10 years old Atticus Finch: Dad, widower, Lawyer Dill: Friend who visit in the summer Arthur “Boo” Radley: Scary guy who lives next door

Chapter 1 POV: First Person-Scout tells the story Main Characters: Jem: Ten years old at the start of the novel Scout: Six years old at the start of the novel Atticus: Lawyer, widower, nearly fifty

Chapter 1 Main Characters cont…: Calpurnia: The children’s nanny, African American, worked for the family for years Dill: Staying w/ his Aunt Stephanie for the summer, single parent home

Chapter 1 Main characters cont… Boo Radley (according to Jem): Seven feet tall Eats raw squirrels and cats Has fangs Is a peeping Tom Drools

Chapter 1 Boo Radley, the real story: Got in w/ the wrong crowd Got arrested for being wild Family would not send him to the reform school

Chapter 1 Boo’s story cont… Put in the courthouse basement Almost died from the mildew Went and was home-never seen again Stabbed his father in the leg w/ scissors

Chapter 1 Dill gets the idea of trying to get Boo to come out To prove his bravery, Jem runs up and slaps the house—not very mature!

CHAPTER 2 1st grade: filled with kids of all ages, Town kids go straight through school. Farming kids keep working at home and are never able to advance

Chapter 2 It is Scout’s and Miss Caroline’s first day of school Miss Caroline’s Mistakes: Was mad at Scout for being able to read and write. Points out student w/ no lunch, Pat with ruler Sticks children in corner

Chapter 2 She Doesn’t understand her kids: most of them are farm kids they just don’t get the cat story the Cunningham's don’t take charity

Chapter 3 Scout takes her frustration out on Walter Cunningham Jem invites him over for supper Scout, again, gets in trouble because of her big mouth

Chapter 3 Miss Caroline does not understand Burris! The Ewells: Mother is dead Dad is a drunk Kids are filthy They live in the dump The kids don’t go to school The town looks the other way

Chapter 4 Who is leaving things in the knothole? Why? Jem gets Scout back for making fun of him (mature?) What does Scout hear in the house? Playing Boo Radley in the front yard (mature?).

Chapter 5 Miss Maudie: Treats the kids with respect Loves her garden Widow Rents a room to Mr. Avery Lives across the street from the Finches

Chapter 5 Scout is having problems with her fiancé. How does she try to solve them? (mature?) Miss Maudie explains a bit more about the Radley’s Atticus catches the kids playing “Boo Radley” Jem’s response was very mature!

Chapter 6 What do the kids wait to see Mr. Avery do? The kids decide to look in Boo’s window Mr. Nathan fires a gun at the kids Jem gets stuck in the fence Dill is able to think on his feet Jem goes back at night to get his pants

Chapter 7 More things found in the tree The kids decide to write a thank you note What happened the night Jem went back to get his pants? Mr. Nathan fills up the knothole Why is Jem so upset?

Chapter 8 It snows! Jem builds a snowman. What does show about Jem? What is an absolute morphodite?

Chapter 8 Miss Maudie’s house catches fire What does Atticus think to save? Scout gets a blanket from who? Why doesn’t Jem want to return it? How does this show maturity?

Chapter 9 Why is the town so mad at Atticus? Scout is told to stop fighting and she has some success Uncle Jack comes for Christmas Scout is still trying to get out of going to school (mature?) What is the rule about the air rifles?

Chapter 9 Aunt Alexandra: Atticus’ older sister Believes Scout should behave like a “proper lady” Not a “kid“ person She is a cold person

Chapter 9 Uncle Jimmy: Married to Aunt Alexandra “Buys cotton” (does nothing) Has spoken to Scout once in her whole life

Chapter 9 Francis: Aunt Alexandra’s grandson Prissy Tattletale Mean

Chapter 9 Francis calls Atticus a hateful name Scout responds by calling Francis a whorelady and beating him up Uncle Jack sides with Francis until he hears the whole story.

Chapter 9 Uncle Jack and Atticus have a talk at the end of the chapter: Why does Atticus want Scout to hear the whole thing? What is in store for the kids?

Chapter 10 The kids think Atticus is just too old There is a mad dog What do the kids learn about Atticus? Why doesn’t Jem want tell everyone? How does this show maturity?

Chapter 11 Mrs. Dubose: Really old Really mean Supposedly has a confederate pistol in her lap Hates Atticus for defending Tom Robinson

Chapter 11 Jem Snaps. What does he do? How does he have to make amends? Atticus tells Jem that Mrs. Dubose teaches an important lesson: The meaning of courage.

Chapter 11 “I wanted you to see something about her-I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand.”

Chapter 11 “It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. Mrs. Dubose won, all ninety eight pounds of her” (Lee 112)

Chapter 12 Calpurnia’s Church: Scout learns: Calpurnia has another life, Most African Americans in Maycomb can’t read.

Chapter 12 Church is strong and caring, No white people will hire Helen Robinson, Atticus is well respected w/in the African American community

Chapter 13 Aunt Alexandra’s definition of a proper Lady and Gentleman: Dress nicely Come from a land owning family, Hire people to work your land, Own land on the river Have good manners, It’s about how you look not who you are

Chapter 13 What do you think Atticus’ definition would be? Why does Atticus tell Scout that it is not time to worry yet?

Chapter 14 How has Jem separated himself from the younger kids? What is under Scout’s bed? Why doesn’t Boo run away?

Chapter 14 Atticus as a parent: Gives his children attention. Makes them feel needed and important.

Chapter 15 Mob Scene: Violent tradition of lynching African Amer. Without a trial. Who is in the mob? Why does a mob operate differently from individuals? How does Scout stop them?

Chapter 15 Is Jem mature in this chapter? Goes to protect his father Refuses to leave when told to Why does Atticus muss Jem’s hair at the end of the chapter?

Chapter 16 Maycomb county values conformity: be like everyone else, follow the social norms. Dolphus Raymond His white fiancé killed herself Lives with African Americans

Chapter 16 Drinks out of a paper sack Has “mixed children” Is wealthy Why does Jem think the Raymond kids are sad? Where do the Jem, Scout and Dill sit to watch the trial? What does this tell us about them and Atticus?

Chapter 17 Important Testimony from Heck Tate (the sheriff) No doctor was called Mayella was beaten on the right side of her face She had hand marks all the way around her neck There were no other witnesses besides Mayella, her father and Tom

Chapter 17 Bob’s Testimony: He starts by insulting his dead wife. He refers to his daughter as a farm animal. He is disrespectful to the judge and to Atticus

Chapter 17 Who plants the flowers at the Ewell House? Who does this remind you of? Why did Atticus have Bob sign his name? Why does Bob get so mad?

Chapter 18 Mayella’s testimony: Tom raped her. Asked Tom to fix door Tom beat her with both hands Dad said Tom ran out door Claims Tom has been over 1 or 2 times

Chapter 18 What Atticus shows us about Mayella She doesn’t even know what a friend is She doesn’t even understand how a child could love her parent Her father beats her No one has ever addressed and “Miss”

Chapter 18 Mayella Cont… Only two of the family members can read Mayella refuses to change her story Why does she yell at the end?

Chapter 19 What we know about Tom: He is a family man He is a religious man His left hand does not work He had helped Mayella before

Chapter 19 Tom’s testimony: Mayella kissed him Tom said nothing was wrong with the door Tom can only use his right hand Said he jumped out the window Says he helps Mayella often

Chapter 19 Tom’s story cont… The kids went to get ice cream-Mayella saved the money Mayella wanted to kiss a man because what her father does to her doesn’t count Who do you believe? Why would Mayella lie?

Chapter 20 Why does Dill become so upset? Dolphus Raymond offers him a drink Dolphus really drinks Coca Cola, not alcohol. Why does Dolphus pretend?

Chapter 20 What mistake does Tom make? Atticus’ final statement forces the town to look at itself Calpurnia comes to court

Chapter 21 The kids are in trouble Why does Atticus let them go back? Jem believes Atticus will win The jury finds Tom guilty Why do all the African Americans Stand when Atticus passes?

Journal 2/25/15 What does Atticus mean when he says, it “seems that only children weep”?

Chapter 22 Jem is crushed by the verdict He learns that life isn’t fair How does the African American Community thank Atticus? What did Bob Ewell do to Atticus?

Ch 22 Questions What does Miss Maudie mean when she says, “…we’re making a step—it’s just a babystep, but it’s a step”? What evidence does she use to explain her optimism? As the children watch the neighbors gossip, Dill makes a declaration about what he will be when he grows up. What does he say, and what are his reasons?

Chapter 23 How does Atticus respond to Bob Ewell’s action? Miss Maudie tries to comfort Jem—he gets a piece of the big cake Jem tries to understand why the jury did what it did.

Journal 2/26/14 If somebody were to spit in your face, how would you react and why?

Chapter 23 Who was the holdout on the jury? Why can’t Scout invite Walter Cunningham over? Why does Jem think Boo stays inside?

CH 23 How does Jem describe the social hierarchy in Maycomb? What does Atticus mean when he says, “…it’s all adding up and one of these days we’re going to pay the bill for it”? To what is he referring?

Journal 2/27/15 Why do you believe Scout prefers the company of men as opposed to that of women?

Chapter 24 Aunt Alexandra has a missionary tea: Mrs. Merriweather makes rude comments about Atticus Miss Maudie puts her in her place Scout joins the party

Chapter 24 It is ironic that the woman want to help Africans in Africa but are so cruel to African Americans in their own town. Tom Robinson is dead—shot 17 times

Chapter 24 Atticus asks Cal to go with him to tell Helen Scout gains new respect for Aunt Alexandra

Chapter 24 Mrs. Merriweather says, “If we just let them know we forgive’ em, that we’ve forgotten it, then this whole thing’ll blow over.” Who and what is she talking about? What is ironic about her statement? Why do you think Tom ran for the fence? Why did he keep running even when the guards warned that they would shoot?

Journal 3/2/2015 Ch. 25 In your honest opinion, did Tom Robinson die a hero or did he die in vain? Explain your answer.

Chapter 25 Why doesn’t Jem let Scout kill the roly poly? How does Dill describe Helen when she learned of Tom’s death? What is Bob Ewell’s reaction?

Chapter 25 As Scout is about to kill a roly-poly bug. What stops her from doing it? What theme does the incident express? To what did Mr. Underwood’s editorial compare Tom’s death? What is the significance of his comparison?

Chapter 25 What remark did Mr. Ewell make upon hearing of Tom’s death? What is the significance of the remark? What recurring motif is present in chapter 25?

Journal March 3, 2015 How will Jem’s childhood experiences impact his growth as an individual?

Chapter 26 Scout feels remorse for how they treated Boo (mature) Why is it it ironic that Mrs. Gates hates Hitler for how he treats the Jew?

Chapter 26 What is Jem so upset about? What is Jem trying to forget?

Chapter 26 Why does Jem react violently when Scout talks about what she overheard at the courthouse? Scout says that the Radley place had ceased to terrify her. Why?

Chapter 27 It’s Halloween Because of the incident with Miss Tutti and Miss Frutti, there will be a pageant! Mrs. Merriweather is in charge (yuk!)

Chapter 27 What happened at Judge Taylor’s house? What does that say about Bob Ewell? What did Bob say about the loss of his job? What does Bob do to Helen Robinson?

Chapter 27 What part does Scout play? How was her costume constructed? Who is taking her to the pageant? Why does Lee end the chapter the way she does?

Chapter 27 Scout states that three unusual things had happened in Maycomb by the middle ofOctober. Briefly summarize these three incidents. Identify at least two instances of foreshadowing in the final four paragraphs of the chapter.

Journal March 5, 2015 How have Scout’s feelings about Boo Radley changed since the beginning of the novel?

Chapter 28 Jem and Scout take a short cut to get to school Cecil Jacobs scares them Poor Scout misses her cue during the pageant

Chapter 28 They wait until everyone is gone to leave. Scout is still wearing her costume They are attacked Who attacked them? Who saved them? What is Jem’s injury?

Chapter 29 How was Bob killed? Who do we meet for the first time? What saved Scout’s life?

Chapter 28 and 29 How does Scout feel about Jem in this chapter? What does she say about him after he sympathizes with her about Mrs. Merriweather’s cruel remark? How did Scout’s costume probably save her life? According to Heck Tate, why did Bob Ewell go after Scout and Jem instead of Atticus?

Chapter 30 Scout treats Boo like a proper lady should treat a visitor in her home What does Atticus believe? Why does Heck Tate say Bob fell on his knife?

Chapter 30 Why would it be like killing a mockingbird to tell the town what happened?

Chapter 31 What does Scout do when it is time for Boo to go home? What is her mature realization? How is the lesson of The Grey Ghost connected to the theme of the novel? Why is the last image of the novel so powerful?

Final Questions What lesson of Atticus’s comes to Scout’s mind as she reminisces on the Radley porch? What is the significance of her realization? What is Atticus’s final statement about people? What theme does this statement highlight?

Major Symbols Symbols: Tom Robinson is the mockingbird. All he does is help others and create “beautiful music” Then he was killed which makes it a sin. The roly-poly = mockingbird also.

Symbols cont… Symbols Cont’d: Boo represents the mockingbird. He has done no wrong and saves the kids from Bob Ewell.

Symbols The Journey: Growing up The journey Scout and Jem took to school that night The journey from innocence to experience

Themes Themes: In Harper Lee’s novel TKAM, she illustrates it is a sin to destroy those who seek only to do good in the world … it is a painful and difficult process growing up in this world. …we live in a world which is often unjust.