To Kill a Mockingbird Finding Significant Quotes

Important Points to Review Mayella’s home life? Describe how the theme of isolation is further extended in Chapter 19. Explain how the light motif again appears on page 194 and elaborate on its significance. Who stands up for Tom? What does this show about racism? How did Tom Robinson make a grave mistake during the trial? Explain why dehumanization is shown through Mr. Gilmer’s actions.

When choosing quotes to analyze: Find a quote that you think suggests something more. Don’t choose the obvious and then in your analysis, state the obvious:  “The Ewells lived behind the town dump” (175) Analysis: The Ewells are poor because they live behind the town dump.

When choosing quotes to analyze: Choose quotes that seem to be the author suggesting something more or the author giving us deeper insight on a character. “Against the fence, in a line, were six chipped enamel slop jars holding bright red geraniums” (170).  The red geraniums are out of place on the Ewell place. They seem to suggest that perhaps Mayella is different than the rest of the Ewells since she grows them. However, in the past, red has been a warning color.

Groups: Ch Choose one quote from Chapter and one quote from Chapter 20 that you feel is significant to the novel. Write out the quote and explain its significance in a paragraph analysis. PROPERLY CITE QUOTES: “Against the fence, in a line, were six chipped enamel slop jars holding bright red geraniums” (170).

Clearly the red geraniums are symbolizing something deeper in the story. Since the Ewell home is such a disaster, these red geraniums are out of place. Harper Lee contrasts the red geraniums by describing how they grow in “slop jars” (170). Perhaps this shows that Mayella is not the same as the other Ewell members because she tries to make something beautiful grow out of something ugly. However, in the past, we’ve seen that red can be a warning as well.