Close Reading To Kill a Mockingbird.

Close Reading To Kill a Mockingbird

Page numbers in purple Page numbers in brown Page numbers in green
281 pages Page numbers in brown 323 pages 323 pages These are the most common editions that I have encountered, so I have provided page numbers for all of them. Note that some of the editions are the same length of pages. Page numbers in green 376 pages 376 pages

Why are some words bigger than others?
Chapter 1 Why are some words bigger than others? In a word cloud, the more times a word is repeated, the larger it is shown. Common words like conjunctions have been removed so that more emphasis is given to unique words. For this chapter, words like “Dill” and “Jem” are large because they are major characters in the story. “Maycomb” is large because that is the town they live in, and much of the first chapter is devoted to establishing the setting. “Radley” is large because in this chapter we learn about this family’s history and their mysterious son, Boo Radley.

What allusion is being made?
“People moved slowly then…There was no hurry, for there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy and no money to buy it with…But it was a time of vague optimism for some of the people: Maycomb County had recently been told that it had nothing to fear but fear itself” (5-6/6/6). The phrase “nothing to fear but fear itself” is an allusion to FDR’s inauguration speech in This allusion dates our story and lets us know that we are in the middle of the Great Depression. FDR is referencing how panic made the Depression much worse. For example, people panicked and dumped their stocks, which caused their value to drop even more. Runs on the bank caused banks to shut down and for many to lose their life savings. Here is a link to an excerpt from the speech: I also sell a historical background Prezi for this novel that you may find helpful: What allusion is being made?

Why are people unwilling to stop blaming Boo for the crimes?
“Inside the house lived a malevolent phantom…Once the town was terrorized by a series of morbid nocturnal events…although the culprit was Crazy Addie…people still looked at the Radley Place, unwilling to discard their initial suspicions” (8-9/9/10). The townspeople are suspicious of Boo because he never leaves the house. Because they find this strange, they have assumed he is an evil person and are quick to blame him for any mysterious crimes. This is one of the first examples of prejudice in the novel. They have pre-judged him, which is very unfair. They are so blinded that even when evidence is presented that proves him innocent, they still persist in thinking he is guilty. This will become an important parallel to point out when the trial against Tom Robinson begins. Why are people unwilling to stop blaming Boo for the crimes?

Figurative Language “Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it.” Personification “Her hand was wide as a bed slat and twice as hard.” Simile If it’s ambiguous from the quote, I also like to ask the students what or who is being described. In this case, the second one is Calpurnia and the third one is Dill. “His hair was snow white and stuck to his head like duck fluff.” Simile

Why is “Miss Caroline” so big below?
Chapter 2 Why is “Miss Caroline” so big below? Miss Caroline is Scout’s teacher. She is new to the town and does not know much about the eccentricities of the various families. She has a rough day and does not make a very good impression on Scout.

What allusion is being made?
“Not exactly. The Cunninghams are country folks, farmers, and the crash hit them the hardest” (21/23/27 ). What allusion is being made? How does Mr. Cunningham pay for Atticus’s services? “The crash” is an allusion to the stock market crash, one of the leading causes of the Great Depression. Since Mr. Cunningham doesn’t have any cash, he pays Atticus with goods, such as stovewood and hickory nuts.

Why does Miss Caroline discipline Scout?
“If I could have explained these things to Miss Caroline, I would have saved myself some inconvenience and Miss Caroline subsequent mortification, but it was beyond my ability to explain things as well as Atticus, so I said, ‘You’re shamin’ him, Miss Caroline. Walter hasn’t got a quarter at home to bring you, and you can’t use any stovewood’” (21/24/28 ). Scout knows that the Cunninghams don’t have money at home, and her reference to stovewood is because of Atticus’s experience with being paid with stovewood. Miss Caroline thinks that Scout is being rude – both by what she is saying and also because she is trying to correct the teacher. Remember it is her first day, and she has been quite flustered. She doesn’t know how to react to Scout, and she is unfamiliar with all of the different Maycomb families. Why does Scout say this? Why does Miss Caroline discipline Scout?

“She looked and smelled like a peppermint drop.”
Figurative Language “She looked and smelled like a peppermint drop.” Simile “Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.” Metaphor The first one is describing Miss Caroline. The second one is more challenging for students to spot, but reading is being compared to breathing. “Molasses buckets appeared from nowhere, and the ceiling danced with metallic light.” Personification

Why is “Atticus” so big below?
Chapter 3 Why is “Atticus” so big below? - Atticus is prominent in this chapter because Scout converses a great deal with him about her morning at school, and he teaches her some important lessons.

Who is Walter talking about?
“Reckon I have,” said Walter. “Almost died first year I come to school and et them pecans – folks say he pizened ‘em and put ‘em over on the school side of the fence” (23/26/31 ). Who is Walter talking about? Is there any evidence that Boo has actually poisoned the pecans? Walter is talking about Boo Radley. No, there is no evidence. Here I discuss again how Boo has been “pre-judged” by the community and that people make negative assumptions about him without really knowing anything about him.

“He ain’t company, Cal, he’s just a Cunningham” (24/27/33 ).
Why does Scout say this? How does Calpurnia react? What lesson does Scout learn? Scout doesn’t consider Walter to be “company” because he is from a poor family. She has stereotyped him and his family and looks down on them. Calpurnia is appalled and tells her: “Don’t matter who they are, anybody sets food in this house’s yo’ comp’ny, and don’t you let me catch you remarkin’ on their ways like you was so high and mighty!” Scout learns to treat everyone with respect no matter who they are or what their background may be.

What does Atticus mean by this?
“First of all,” he said, “if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (30/33/39 ). What does Atticus mean by this? Atticus is explaining that she should try and understand other people’s perspectives. Students usually chime in with a phrase they are more familiar with, such as “Walk a mile in another man’s shoes.” We feel prejudices because we “pre-judge” others – we decide things about them before we really know them. We might make assumptions based on stereotypes or because we had a negative encounter with someone we associate with that person. (Ex: A negative encounter with someone from a certain family could make you assume negative things about their sibling). These impressions are based on a lack of information and/or a failure to understand where another person may be coming from. Getting to know others and trying to understand their point of view allows for more empathy and more knowledgeable assessments of other people’s characters. How might this strategy keep someone from feeling prejudiced against another?

What are the Ewells like?
“He said that the Ewells were members of an exclusive society made up of Ewells. In certain circumstances the common folk judiciously allowed them certain privileges by the simple method of becoming blind to some of the Ewell’s activities” (30-31/34/40-1 ). What are the Ewells like? What “privileges” does the town allow them? Atticus says that they have been the “disgrace of Maycomb County for three generations” because they live “like animals.” Their mother is dead, and their father doesn’t work and spends his relief checks (government aid) on whiskey. The town allows their children to skip school, and they allow Mr. Ewell to hunt out of season so that his children don’t starve. The Ewells don’t seem to try or to care, whereas the Cunninghams are proud and hard working How do the Ewells differ from the Cunninghams?

“I’d soon’s kill you as look at you.”
Figurative Language “That boy’s yo’ comp’ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him.” Hyperbole “I’d soon’s kill you as look at you.” Hyperbole In the second one, Calpurnia is chastising Scout about her treatment of Walter. In the third one, Chuck Little is threatening Burris Ewell.

How do Jem and Dill impact the action of this chapter?
They are both fascinated by Boo Radley and his story. Jem accepts a dare from Dill to touch the Radley house, and Jem comes up with a game where they reenact stories about Boo and his family.

How is the last line an example of foreshadowing?
“’See there?’ Jem was scowling triumphantly. ‘Nothin’ to it. I swear, Scout, sometimes you act so much like a girl it’s mortifyin’.” There was more to it than he knew, but I decided not to tell him” (38/42/50). How is the last line an example of foreshadowing? We know that something has happened that Scout has not told us or Jem about. It builds suspense and anticipation to find out what it is. At the end of the chapter we learn what it is: she heard laughter coming from inside the Radley house

What does Jem mean when he says Scout is “being a girl”?
“I was not so sure, but Jem told me I was being a girl, that girls always imagined things, that’s why other people hated them so” (41/45/54 ). What does Jem mean when he says Scout is “being a girl”? He’s trying to insult her and is referencing negative stereotypes against women.

“Mrs. Dubose was the meanest woman that ever lived.”
Figurative Language “I inched slugglishly along the treadmill of the Maycomb County school system.” Metaphor “Mrs. Dubose was the meanest woman that ever lived.” Hyperbole The first one is challenging, but Scout’s school experience is being compared to walking on a treadmill. “We has strolled down to the front yard, where Dill stood looking down the street at the dreary face of the Radley Place.” Personification

Who is Miss Maudie? Chapter 5
- She is a neighbor across the street who is kind and motherly towards the children. Scout talks to her about the Radleys in this chapter.

“Apparently deciding… ‘Foot-washers believe anything that’s pleasure is a sin. Did you know some of ‘em came out of the woods one Saturday and passed by this place and told me that me and my flowers were going to hell?...They thought I spent too much time in God’s outdoors and not enough time inside the house reading the Bible’” (44/49/59 ). They are extremely religious. They believe in living a very simple life and spend their time reading the Bible. She later says, “There are just some kind of men who’re so busy worrying about the next world they’ve never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.” How is Miss Maudie trying to explain the Radley family’s unusual behavior?

How does Jem get “tricked” by Atticus in this chapter?
Atticus tricks Jem into admitting that he has been acting out the Radley’s family story. He does this by pretending that he already knows that he has been doing it. Jem’s reaction proves that his guess was right.

“What happened. ” asked Jem. “Mr
“What happened?” asked Jem “Mr. Radley shot at a Negro in his collard patch” (54/61/72). Why does Mr. Radley assume that the intruder in his yard is an African American? He is assuming that only an African American would be prowling in his yard. This is an example of negative stereotyping, which leads to prejudice. Mr. Radley has no evidence that an African American was in his yard, and we (the readers) know that it was actually the children. His assumption reveals his attitude towards members of the African American community.

“The shadow, crisp as toast, moved across the porch toward Jem.”
Figurative Language “Don’t get in a row of collards whatever you do, they’ll wake the dead.” Hyperbole “The shadow, crisp as toast, moved across the porch toward Jem.” Simile “Jem’s white shirt-tail dipped and bobbed like a small ghost dancing away to escape the coming morning.” Simile

Why does “tree” appear in the word cloud below?
Chapter 7 Why does “tree” appear in the word cloud below? The children continue to find surprises in the Radley tree until the end of the chapter, when Mr. Radley cements the hole shut.

What else is mysterious about Jem’s pants?
“Jem waved my words away as if fanning gnats. He was silent for a while, then he said, ‘When I went back for my breeches – they were all in a tangle when I was getting’ out of ‘em, I couldn’t get ‘em loose…When I went back, they were folded across the fence…like they were expecting me’” (58/66/78). The rip was sewn up (but not very well) What else is mysterious about Jem’s pants?

What is ironic about the children’s letter?
“He stood there until nightfall, and I waited for him. When we went in the house I saw he had been crying; his face was dirty in the right places” (63/71/84). Why is Jem crying? What can we infer that Jem believes is the truth about the treasures in the tree? Jem is upset because he believes the presents are from Boo Radley, and he thinks Mr. Radley filled in the tree to prevent Boo from communicating with the children. It finally occurs to the children to thank their benefactor, but when they write the note, it’s too late. Mr. Radley is filling in the hole. What is ironic about the children’s letter?

Why does “snowman” appear below?
Chapter 8 Why does “snowman” appear below? - The children make a snowman by building it out of dirt and then covering it with a thin layer of snow.

What is Jem talking about?
“My stomach turned to water and I nearly threw up when Jem held out the blanket and crept toward me. “He sneaked out the house – turn ‘round – sneaked up, an’ went like this!” (72/82/96). What is Jem talking about? He’s explaining how Boo Radley wrapped the blanket around her during the fire. She feels scared and creeped out! Wouldn’t you? Why does it make Scout want to throw up?

Figurative Language “Smoke was rolling off our house and Miss Rachel’s house like fog off a riverbank.” Simile “Miss Maudie’s sunhat was suspended in a thin layer of ice, like a fly in amber.” Simile

Chapter 9 Who is Jack? - Scout’s uncle; she likes him a great deal, but they have a falling out in this chapter because he punishes her for fighting with Francis without getting her side of the story first.

“If you shouldn’t be defendin’ him, then why are you doin’ it. ”
“If you shouldn’t be defendin’ him, then why are you doin’ it?” “For a number of reasons,” said Atticus. “The main one is, if I didn’t, I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (75/86/100). He means that he wouldn’t feel good about himself if he didn’t do what he knows to be the right thing. He would be a hypocrite and would no longer feel worthy of representing the county in the legislature. He would feel like he could no longer discipline his own kids if he didn’t do the right thing. What does Atticus mean?

Does Atticus think he will win the case?
“Atticus, are we going to win it?” “No, honey.” “Then why-” “Simply because were were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win,” Atticus said (76/87/101). Does Atticus think he will win the case? No Just because he can’t win doesn’t mean it’s not worth fighting for. It’s still the right thing to do. Why is he still going to take the case?

How are these examples of foreshadowing?
“Scout’s got to learn to keep her head and learn soon, with what’s in store for her these next few months” “What bothers me is that she and Jem will have to absorb some ugly things pretty soon” This is a clue that some terrible things may happen later in the story; it builds suspense and anticipation on the part of the reader How are these examples of foreshadowing?

Why does Atticus say the jury won’t believe Tom Robinson?
“It couldn’t be worse, Jack. The only thing we’ve got is a black man’s word against the Ewells’. The evidence boils down to you-did --- I-didn’t. The jury couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson’s word against the Ewells” (88/100/117). The Ewells are a white family and Tom Robinson is an African American. At this time in Alabama, African Americans were not allowed to serve on juries. Atticus believes that the all-white jury will be too blinded by prejudice to give a fair verdict This is a good place in the novel to reference the case of Emmett Till. Despite overwhelming evidence, his killers were acquitted. I sell a Prezi about Emmett Till that you might be interested in: Why does Atticus say the jury won’t believe Tom Robinson?

Atticus doesn’t expect to win, but what does he hope to accomplish?
“Before I’m through, I intend to jar the jury a bit – I think we’ll have a reasonable chance on appeal, though” (88/100/117). Atticus doesn’t expect to win, but what does he hope to accomplish? He wants to rattle the jury and hopefully make them at least think. Then he thinks he can appeal the case and go to a bigger court where the jurors might not be as prejudiced.

What does Atticus mean by “Maycomb’s usual disease”?
“Right…I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all, without catching Maycomb’s usual disease. Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don’t pretend to understand. I just hope that Jem and Scout come to me for their answers instead of listening to the town” (88/100/117). He means racism; he’s comparing it to a disease. Racism as a disease will become an important symbol as the novel progresses. What does Atticus mean by “Maycomb’s usual disease”?

Why is “street” so big below?
Chapter 10 Why is “street” so big below? - The street is mentioned often in this chapter because the rabid dog is coming down the street and because Atticus stands in the middle of the street to take aim. In this chapter, the street is a dangerous place.

Why is it a sin to kill a mockingbird?
“Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Atticus) “Your father’s right…Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (90/103/119). They don’t do anything harmful; in fact, they do something nice (singing), so it is senseless and cruel to kill them. Killing a mockingbird becomes a symbol for any senseless cruelty throughout the rest of the novel. Why is it a sin to kill a mockingbird?

According to Miss Maudie, why doesn’t Atticus go hunting anymore?
“Maybe I can tell you…I think maybe he put his gun down when he realized that God had given him an unfair advantage over most living things. I guess he decided he wouldn’t shoot till he had to, and he had to today” (98/112/130). According to Miss Maudie, why doesn’t Atticus go hunting anymore? He was such a good shooter that it didn’t seem sporting. There was no challenge, and it seemed like an unfair advantage.

Figurative Language “Jem gulped like a goldfish, hunched his shoulders, and twitched his torso.” Simile “We could see him shiver like a horse shedding flies.” Simile The second one is describing the rabid dog and the third one refers to the way Scout felt when Atticus stood out in the street and aimed with his gun. “Time had slowed to a nauseating crawl.” Personification

What is the significance of “alarm” and “time” in this chapter?
- The children realize that Mrs. Dubose is setting an alarm and keeping them there a little longer each day. In the end they find out that she was a morphine addict and was trying to go a little bit longer without the medicine each day. The children were helping to distract her from her pain.

What kinds of things does Mrs. Dubose say to the children?
“Easy does it, son,” Atticus would say. “She’s an old lady and she’s ill. You just hold your head high and be a gentleman. Whatever she says to you, it’s your job not to let her make you mad” (100/115/133). What kinds of things does Mrs. Dubose say to the children? She is always rude and critical, no matter how nice the children try to be to her. She calls Scout “dirty” and makes dire predictions, like that she will end up as a waitress at a seedy restaurant. She accuses them of crimes they didn’t commit, like skipping school or destroying some of Miss Maudie’s plants. She insults Atticus; this is the first time the children hear racist insults coming from an adult rather than just the children they go to school with. What does she say that causes Jem to ignore Atticus’s instructions?

How is this an example of foreshadowing?
“When summer comes you’ll have to keep your head about far worse things” (105/120/139). How is this an example of foreshadowing? It’s hinting that something bad will happen later in the story; this builds suspense and tension

“This case…is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience – Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man” (105/120/139). “Before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience” (105/120/140). Atticus feels that defending Tom is the moral thing to do. He could not feel good about himself or feel right with God if he didn’t do everything he could to help Tom. Even though it seems like the majority of people think he has made the wrong decision, he has to do what he personally feels is the right thing to do. Why does Atticus say he wouldn’t be able to go to church if he didn’t defend Tom?

“Nigger-lover is just one of those terms that don’t mean anything - like snot-nose…ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody’s favoring Negroes over and above themselves, when they want a common, ugly term to label somebody” “You aren’t really a nigger-lover, then, are you?” “I certainly am, I do my best to love everybody…it’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn’t hurt you” (108/124/ ). This is a great quote to talk about the n-word. I always emphasize the lesson that Atticus is trying to teach Scout.

How does this parallel Atticus’s own situation?
“She was…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. 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. According to her views, she died beholden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I ever knew” (112/128/149). Atticus says that real courage is “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” Mrs. Dubose knew it was unlikely that she could beat her addiction and that it would be very painful to try. She knew that she would die no matter what, but she tried anyway. This parallels what Atticus is going through because he (and everyone else) believes he cannot win his case, but he is still going to see it through and do his very best. How does this parallel Atticus’s own situation?

Figurative Language “It was times like these when I thought my father…was the bravest man who ever lived.” Hyperbole “The corners of her mouth glistened with wet, which inched like a glacier down the deep grooves enclosing her chin.” The first one references Scout’s admiration of the way Atticus handles Mrs. Dubose and the second describes Mrs. Dubose. Simile

Why is “church” so big below?
Chapter 12 Why is “church” so big below? - This chapter is about the children’s visit to Calpurnia’s church

What is ironic about this description?
“The church-yard was brick-hard clay, as was the cemetery beside it…Lightning rods guarding some graves denoted dead who rested uneasily; stumps of burned-out candles stood at the heads of infant graves. It was a happy cemetery” (118/135/157). What is ironic about this description? You don’t expect a cemetery to be described as “happy,” especially after describing the graves of infants.

Why is Lula upset with Calpurnia?
Lula stopped, but she said, “You ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillun here – they got their church, we got our’n. It is our church, ain’t it, Miss Cal?” (119/135-6/158). Why is Lula upset with Calpurnia? Because of segregation, African Americans and whites worshipped separately. Lula doesn’t think Calpurnia should be bringing white children to their church. She is rude and unwelcoming towards the children. Everyone else is much more welcoming towards the children, especially Reverend Sykes. He even tells the children, “This church has no better friend than your daddy.” Does anyone else in the church seem to agree with Lula?

Why is Helen having trouble finding work?
“Reverend Sykes hesitated. “To tell you the truth, Miss Jean Louise, Helen’s finding it hard to get work these days…when it’s picking time, I think Mr. Link Deas’ll take her” (123/140/164). Why is Helen having trouble finding work? Most of the employers in the community are white, and most of them do not want to be associated with Helen’s family because Tom has been accused of raping Mr. Ewells daughter. (This is the first time we find out what Tom has been accused of) The scandal either makes them uncomfortable or they may believe that he is guilty.

What is Calpurnia explaining to Scout?
“It’s not necessary to tell all you know. It’s not lady-like…You’re not going to change any of them by talkin’ right, they’ve got to want to learn themselves, and when they don’t want to learn there’s nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut or talk their language” (126/143/167). Calpurnia is explaining why she spoke differently in the church than she does at the Finch home. Even though she knows how to speak more grammatically, she prefers to fit in with those around her and speaks like them. What is Calpurnia explaining to Scout?

Who moves in with the Finches?
Chapter 13 Who moves in with the Finches? - Aunt Alexandra. She has come to help with the children while Atticus is busy with the trial.

“She never let a chance escape her to point out the shortcomings of other tribal groups to the greater glory of our own” (129/147/172). What does this tell us about Aunt Alexandra’s attitude towards other families? She thinks her family is better than others and always points out the faults in others. This is a form of prejudice because she “pre-judges” and makes assumptions about others based on their family name.

Is Jem being serious when he says this, or is he making a joke?
“I never understood her preoccupation with heredity…but Aunt Alexandra was of the opinion…that the longer a family had been squatting on one patch of land the finer it was. ‘That makes the Ewells fine folks, then,’ said Jem” (130/147/173). Jem is making a joke and also poking a hole in Aunt Alexandra’s theory. She respects families more who have lived in Maycomb longer, but the Ewells have been living in Maycomb for a long time, and Aunt Alexandra (and Jem) would never consider them “fine folks.” Therefore, Jem makes his comment to be ironic. Is Jem being serious when he says this, or is he making a joke?

How are these statements stereotypes?
“There was indeed a caste system in Maycomb…Thus the dicta No Crawford Minds His Own Business, Every Third Merriweather Is Morbid, The Truth Is Not in the Delafields, All the Bufords Walk Like That, were simply guides to daily living” (131/149/175). How are these statements stereotypes? The community is making assumptions about individuals based on their family name. If you are a Delafield, they will assume you are dishonest, even though they have no evidence that you personally have ever lied. They have stereotyped you based on what they assume about your family.

Figurative Language Explain this simile
“Aunt Alexandra fitted into the world of Maycomb like a hand into a glove, but never into the world of Jem and me.” Simile - Aunt Alexandra fits in well with the Maycomb community, but she doesn’t get along well with Jem and Scout. Explain this simile

Why is “Dill” so big in this chapter?
- Scout finds Dill under her bed in this chapter because he has run away from home

What is the community’s attitude towards the Tom Robinson case?
“’They c’n go loose and rape up the countryside for all of ‘em who run this country care’ was one observation we met head on from a skinny gentleman when he passed us” (135/153/180). What is the community’s attitude towards the Tom Robinson case? They think he is guilty. This is partly because of racist attitudes and stereotyping that causes them to assume he is guilty simply because he is African American

What is Atticus reacting to?
“Atticus’s voice was even: ‘Alexandra, Calpurnia’s not leaving this house until she wants to. You may think otherwise, but I couldn’t have got along without her all these years. She’s a faithful member of this family and you’ll simply have to accept things the way they are’” (137/155/182). What is Atticus reacting to? Aunt Alexandra wants to dismiss Calpurnia because she thinks she’s not a good influence on the children. She is particularly upset that Calpurnia took them to the African American church. Atticus makes it clear that he considers Calpurnia a member of the family and a very positive influence on the children. He refuses to dismiss her.

Figurative Language “It’s this Tom Robinson case that’s worryin’ him to death.” Hyperbole “He could add and subtract faster than lightning.” Simile The second one is Dill bragging about his abilities. Students may say it is a hyperbole because he is exaggerating, but using the word “than” is a comparison word signaling a simile. His ability to add and subtract is being compared to lightning. It’s important to differentiate this from a hyperbole. Otherwise, all similes can start to seem like hyperboles since none of them are literally true – students will reason that they are all exaggerations and call them all hyperboles, which is incorrect.

Who is Mr. Underwood? Chapter 15
- Mr. Underwood is the editor of the Maycomb Tribune. In this chapter we discover that he was prepared to help Atticus at the jailhouse.

“After many telephone calls, much pleading on behalf of the defendant, a long forgiving letter from his mother, it was decided that Dill could stay. We had a week of peace together. After that, little, it seemed. A nightmare was upon us” (144/164/193). How is this an example of foreshadowing? It signals that something terrible will happen, but doesn’t tell us exactly what it is yet. It builds tension and suspense for the reader.

What warning do Link and the rest of the men give Atticus?
“’Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till the truth’s told.’ Atticus’s voice was even. ‘And you know what the truth is.’ There was a murmur among the group of men, made more ominous when Atticus moved back to the bottom front step and the men drew nearer him” (146/166/195). Tom is being moved to the town jailhouse and there are rumors that there may be “trouble.” What he means by “trouble” is that a lynch mob might form and try to kill Tom. What warning do Link and the rest of the men give Atticus?

What do the group of men at the jailhouse want?
“You know what we want…Get aside from the door, Mr. Finch” (151/172/202). What do the group of men at the jailhouse want? They want access to Tom so that they can torture and kill him. Heck Tate (the sheriff) is not nearby because they sent him on a fake call far out in the woods. The only thing standing in their way is Atticus. This is a good time to discuss how courageous Atticus is to put his life in danger to protect Tom.

“Well, Atticus, I was just sayin’ to Mr
“Well, Atticus, I was just sayin’ to Mr. Cunningham that entailments are badn an’ all that, but you said not to worry, it takes a long time sometimes… that you all’d ride it out together” (154/175/205-6). Why do Scout’s attempts at conversation with Mr. Cunningham cause him to call off the lynch mob? The arrival of the children has made things awkward. Then she reminds him of her friendship with his son, Walter, and of Atticus’s help with his legal problems. These seem to cause him to rethink his decision to hurt Atticus and Tom. In the next chapter, Atticus will tell Scout that she caused Walter to stand in Atticus’s’ shoes for a moment (see his perspective) and that was enough for him to change his mind. This is a key lesson of the novel. The way to diffuse prejudices is to stop and look at things from other people’s perspectives.

Why are words like “judge” and “courthouse” large below?
Chapter 16 Why are words like “judge” and “courthouse” large below? - This chapter builds up tension for the trial. By the end of the chapter, the children are hidden in the colored balcony, ready to watch the proceedings.

“We had come in quietly…I was very tired, and was drifting into sleep when the memory of Atticus calmly folding his newspaper and pushing back his hat became Atticus standing in the middle of an empty waiting street, pushing up his glasses. The full meaning of the night’s events hit me and I began crying” (156/177/208). Scout is remembering Atticus standing in their street getting ready to shoot the rabid dog. There is a parallel between the danger she felt that day and the danger she felt in front of the jailhouse. In both scenarios, Atticus stood facing the danger alone. The rabid dog will become an important symbol as the trial unfolds. What is “Atticus standing in the middle of an empty waiting street” an allusion to?

Who are the children discussing?
“Why’s he sittin’ with the colored folks?” “Always does. He likes ‘em better’n he likes us, I reckon. Lives by himself way down near the county line. He’s got a colored woman and all sorts of mixed chillun” (161/183/214). Who are the children discussing? Mr. Dolphus Raymond He is from an old, rich family and owns one side of the riverbank (rich). His fiancé killed herself after the wedding rehearsal (possibly because she found out about his black mistress). He is an alcoholic who drinks liquor out of a paper sack all day. What else do we learn about Mr. Dolphus Raymond?

Who takes the stand in this chapter?
Heck Tate (the sheriff) and Mr. Ewell I would also ask students questions about how they both behaved on the stand

What is the significance of Mayella being hit in her right eye?
“Something had been made plain to Atticus also, and it brought him to his feet. ‘Sheriff, please repeat what you said’ ‘It was her right eye, I said’” (181/192/225). What is the significance of Mayella being hit in her right eye? It would indicate that she was probably hit by a left-handed person Atticus establishes that Mr. Ewell is left-handed by asking him to sign his name. This would indicate that he could have been the one to hit Mayella What does Atticus later prove about Mr. Ewell?

“Every town the size of Maycomb had families like the Ewells………………………
“Every town the size of Maycomb had families like the Ewells………………………. Nobody had occasion to pass by except at Christmas, when the churches delivered baskets, and when the mayor of Maycomb asked us to please help the garbage collector by dumping our own trees and trash” (171/193-4/227-8). - I like to go over this entire section with students (6 paragraphs). Do a close reading pausing to ask questions to check for comprehension. It’s important for the students to more fully understand their home life and the level of neglect. I always point out that no one in the community tries to help this family.

“Why, I run for Tate quick as I could
“Why, I run for Tate quick as I could. I knowed who it was, all right, lived down yonder in that nigger-nest, passed the house every day. Jedge, I’ve asked this county for fifteen years to clean out that nest down yonder, they’re dangerous to live around ‘sides devaluin’ my property-” (175/199/234). - We know from Scout’s description that the African American homes are “neat and snug with pale blue smoke rising from the chimneys and doorways glowing amber from the fires inside” and “delicious smells about.” Mr. Ewell’s home is next to the dump and so poorly cared for and covered in junk that his claims are completely laughable. If anything, his property is devaluing THEIR property. What is ironic about Mr. Ewell’s claim that the nearby African American homes are devaluing his property?

Chapter 18 Who is Mayella? Mayella is Mr. Ewell’s daughter. She has accused Tom Robinson of raping her. I would also ask students questions about how she behaved on the stand

Why does Mayella think that Atticus is making fun of her?
“Won’t answer a word you say long as you keep mockin’ me” (181/206/243). Why does Mayella think that Atticus is making fun of her? - She’s not used to being addressed respectfully as “Miss” and “Ma’am.” She thinks he is being sarcastic and trying to embarrass her.

When does Mayella contradict herself during her testimony?
She seems confused as to whether she was hit around the face or not.

What implication does this have for the case?
“Tom Robinson’s powerful shoulders rippled…He looked oddly off balance, but it was not from the way he was standing. His left arm was fully twelve inches shorter than his right, and hung dead at his side. It ended in a small shriveled hand, and from as far away as the balcony I could see that it was no use to him” (185-6/211/248). - Atticus has established that Mayella was probably hit by a left-handed person, and Tom Robinson’s left hand is crippled. This would seem to prove his innocence. What implication does this have for the case?

Why is “suh” so big below?
Chapter 19 Why is “suh” so big below? Tom takes the stand in this chapter and he uses “suh,” which means “sir,” in almost every sentence. He is trying very hard to sound respectful to everyone.

“As Tom Robinson gave his testimony, it came to me that Mayella Ewell must have been the loneliest person in the world. She was even lonelier than Boo Radley, who had not been out of the house in twenty-five years…white people wouldn’t have anything to do with her because she lived among pigs; Negroes wouldn’t have anything to do with her because she was white…Maycomb gave them Christmas baskets, welfare money, and the back of its hand” (191-2/218/256-7). - I like to discuss this quote with students and ask their opinions. Do any of them feel any sympathy for Mayella?

Why was it a “mistake” for Tom to say this?
“’Yes, suh. I felt right sorry for her, she seemed to try more’n the rest of ’em-’ ‘You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?’ Mr. Gilmer seemed ready to rise to the ceiling. The witness realized his mistake and shifted uncomfortably in the chair. But the damage was done. Below us, nobody liked Tom Robinson’s answer.(197/224/264). - The white audience thinks it is inappropriate for a black person to feel sorry for a white person. They believe they are superior to African Americans, so his statement offends them. Why was it a “mistake” for Tom to say this?

Why doesn’t Tom call her a liar?
“’She says she asked you to bust up a chiffarobe, is that right?’ ‘No suh, it ain’t.’ ‘Then you say she’s lying, boy?’ Atticus was on his feet, but Tom Robinson didn’t need him. ‘I don’t say she’s lyin’, Mr. Gilmer, I say she’s mistaken in her mind’” (197/224/264). He doesn’t want to offend the audience again, and he doesn’t want to be in a position where his word is being put against a white person’s word. In the courts at that time, the precedent in a situation where a black person and a white person claimed different things was to believe the white person’s word over an African American’s. He is trying to get around this by basically saying that she is confused. Why doesn’t Tom call her a liar?

“’Well, Mr. Finch didn’t act that way to Mayella and old man Ewell when he cross-examined them. The way that man called him ‘boy’ all the time an’ sneered at him, an’ looked around at the jury every time he answered-’ ‘Well, Dill, after all he’s just a Negro.’ ‘I don’t care one speck. It ain’t right, somehow it ain’t right to do ‘em that way. Hasn’t anybody got any business talkin’ like that - it just makes me sick’” (199/226/266). - I discuss with students the reasons why Dill is upset and the differences between the way Atticus and Mr. Gilmer cross examined the witnesses. We also discuss Scout’s statement that he is “just a Negro.” Even she has internalized the message from her society that African Americans are lesser people, but Dill is realizing how wrong it is to treat people this way.

Why are words like “equal,” “man,” “white,” and “negro” large below?
Chapter 20 Why are words like “equal,” “man,” “white,” and “negro” large below? - Much of Atticus’s closing remarks focus on how men (black and white) are created equal under the law and about how the stereotypes given to African Americans are equally true of some people, regardless of color

Why does Dolphus Raymond pretend to be an alcoholic?
“It ain’t honest but it’s mighty helpful to folks. Secretly, Miss Finch, I’m not much of a drinker, but you see they could never, never understand that I live like I do because that’s the way I want to live” (200/228/268). Why does Dolphus Raymond pretend to be an alcoholic? - He knows the white community has trouble understanding why he prefers to live in the African American community so he tries to give them an excuse to latch on to. “Folks can say Dolphus Raymond’s in the clutches of whisky – that’s why he won’t change his ways. He can’t help himself, that’s why he lives the way he does.”

“’Cry about what, Mr. Raymond
“’Cry about what, Mr. Raymond?’ Dill’s maleness was beginning to assert itself. ‘Cry about the simple hell people give other people – without even thinking. Cry about the hell white people give colored folks, without even stopping to think that they’re people, too’” (201/229/269). How has the trial made Dill and Scout more aware of the racism in their community? - Tom Robinson is treated much differently than the other witnesses. Calling a grown man “boy” is very insulting and the way Mr. Gilmer talked down to him and sneered at everything he said was very offensive. However, this is the way that African Americans are typically treated.

“The witnesses for the state…have presented themselves…in the cynical confidence that their testimony would not be doubted, confident that you gentlemen would go along with them on the assumption – the evil assumption – that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women… which, gentlemen, we know is in itself a lie as black as Tom Robinson’s skin” (204/232/273). Atticus is discussing the stereotypes many white people hold against African Americans and points out how false they are. He clarifies that this applies to some men, but that it applies to some men of every color and creed – it is part of the human condition and not part of any one race.

“We know all men are not created equal in the sense some people would have us believe – some people are smarter than others, some people have more opportunity because they’re born with it, some men make more money than others, some ladies make better cakes than others – some people are born gifted beyond the normal scope of most men. But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal…That institution, gentlemen, is a court” (205/233/274). - Discuss Atticus’s contention that not all men are created equal. Do your students agree?

Did the verdict in this chapter surprise you?
- If students say they were not surprised, ask them what clues made them think the verdict would be a guilty one

How does this comment from Reverend Sykes foreshadow the verdict?
“’Now don’t be so confident, Mr. Jem, I ain’t ever seen any jury decide in favor of a colored man over a white man…’ But Jem took exception to Reverend Sykes, and we were subjected to a lengthy review of the evidence” (208/238/279). How does this comment from Reverend Sykes foreshadow the verdict? - Reverend Sykes’s comment hints that the verdict will probably be guilty. But the reader, like Jem, can’t help thinking that the evidence exonerates Tom.

“But I must have been reasonably awake…I shivered, though the night was hot. The feeling grew until the atmosphere in the courtroom was exactly the same as a cold February morning, when the mockingbirds were still, and the carpenters had stopped hammering on Miss Maudie’s new house, and every wood door in the neighborhood was shut as tight as the doors of the Radley Place. A deserted, waiting, empty street, and the courtroom was packed with people” (210/239-40/281). - Scout is being reminded of the day Atticus shot the rabid dog. As he stands about to hear the jury’s verdict, it’s the same type of tension as when he stood ready to shoot the rabid dog.

“What happened after that had a dreamlike quality…I saw something only a lawyer’s child could be expected to see, could be expected to watch for, and it was like watching Atticus walk into the street, raise a rifle to his shoulder and pull the trigger, but watching all the time knowing that the gun was empty. A jury never looks at a defendant it has convicted, and when this jury came in, not one of them looked at Tom Robinson” (211/240/282). Scout has realized that the verdict will be a guilty one because none of the jurors are looking at Tom. Once she notices this, watching Atticus is like watching him trying to shoot the rabid dog but knowing that his gun is empty. Basically Scout means knowing that he will fail. Atticus facing the rabid dog is being compared to Atticus facing the racist jury. Atticus compared racism to a disease earlier in the novel when he called it the “disease of Maycomb.” The dog infected with rabies can be seen as a symbol for racism. Ordinarily he was a nice dog, but once infected with rabies he became violent and dangerous. Similarly, the citizens of Maycomb, such as Walter Cunningham, are good people, but once infected with racism, they can become dangerous and violent, as we saw at the jailhouse.

Despite losing the trial, why is Atticus optimistic the next morning?
Chapter 22 Despite losing the trial, why is Atticus optimistic the next morning? He thinks they will be able to get an appeal and win their next trial.

What does Miss Rachel think about Atticus’s decision to defend Tom?
“Dill told us of Miss Rachel’s reaction to last night, which was: if a man like Atticus Finch wants to butt his head against a stone wall, it’s his head” (213/244/286). What does Miss Rachel think about Atticus’s decision to defend Tom? - She thinks it was pointless, and he only ended up hurting himself

What does Miss Maudie believe is a sign of progress?
“You think about that…I was sittin’ there on the porch last night, waiting. I waited and waited to see you all come down the sidewalk, and as I waited I thought, Atticus Finch won’t win, he can’t win, but he’s the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that. And I thought to myself, well, we’re making a step – it’s just a baby-step, but its’ a step” (216/246/289). If the jury took a long time to deliberate, it means that they had not already made up their minds. Some members must have argued that Tom might be innocent. Atticus must have reached at least a few people on the jury even though they ultimately went with the majority and returned a guilty verdict. If you have discussed the Emmett Till trial with your students, remind them that the jury deliberated for less than an hour in his case. What does Miss Maudie believe is a sign of progress?

How does this event change the arc of the story?
“At that moment Aunt Alexandra came to the door and called us, but she was too late. It was Miss Stephanie’s pleasure to tell us: this morning Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he’d get him if it took the rest of his life” (217/247/290). How does this event change the arc of the story? The trial’s verdict would seem to be the turning point of the story, but this new development puts us still in rising action. There is a new threat from Bob Ewell, so the tension from the trial is still building.

Do you think Bob Ewell is a serious threat?
Chapter 23 Do you think Bob Ewell is a serious threat? - Ask for evidence to support their opinions

“’When a man says he’s gonna get you , looks like he means it. ’
“’When a man says he’s gonna get you , looks like he means it.’ ‘He meant it when he said it,’ said Atticus. ‘Jem, see if you can stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility at that trial, if he had any to begin with. The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does. So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take’” (218/249/292). This quote emphasizes one of the major themes of the novel, which is understanding other’s perspectives

Who do you think is right about Bob Ewell – Atticus or Aunt Alexandra?
“’I wouldn’t be so sure of that, Atticus,’ she said. ‘His kind’d do anything to pay off a grudge. You know how those people are.’ ‘What on earth could Ewell do to me, sister?’ ‘Something furtive,’ Aunt Alexander said. ‘You may count on that’” (218/250/293). - Ask students to support their opinions with evidence from the text Who do you think is right about Bob Ewell – Atticus or Aunt Alexandra?

What’s the “something in our world” that Atticus is referencing?
“If you had been on the jury…Those are twelve reasonable men in everyday life, Tom’s jury, but you saw something come between them and reason. You saw the same thing that night in front of the jail. When that crew went away, they didn’t go as reasonable men, they went because we were there. There’s something in our world that makes men lose their heads – they couldn’t be fair if they tried” (220/251/295). - Prejudice What’s the “something in our world” that Atticus is referencing?

“The thing is, you can scrub Walter Cunningham till he shines, you can put him in shoes and a new suit, but he’ll never be like Jem” (224/255/300). “Because – he – is – trash, that’s why you can’t play with him. I’ll not have you around him, picking up his habits and learning Lord – knows – what” (225/256/301) Aunt Alexandra has stereotyped Walter based on who his family is, and she has decided that he is empirically “not as good” as she and her family. The idea that no matter what Walter does, he can never be as “good” as Jem is unfair and echoes the racist attitudes of the community. People also assumed the worst of Tom and were unwilling to think anything but ill of him, which Is similar to how Aunt Alexandra is treating Walter. How is Aunt Alexandra’s attitude towards Walter similar to the racism Tom experiences?

Why might Boo Radley want to stay inside?
“That’s what I thought, too…when I was your age. If there’s just one kind of folks, why can’t they get along with each other? If they’re all alike, why do they go out of their way to despise each other? Scout, I think I’m beginning to understand something. I think I’m beginning to understand why Boo Radley’s stayed shut up in the house all this time…it’s because he wants to stay inside” (227/259/304). To hide from all of the prejudices and ugliness out in the world. He may not want to deal with the way people treat each other and finds it easier to stay away from the rest of the world. Why might Boo Radley want to stay inside?

What is Mrs. Merriweather like?
Chapter 24 What is Mrs. Merriweather like? She is considered to be one of the most devout (religious and holy) women in town. She acts extremely concerned about the Mrunas, a tribe in Africa, but her comments during the missionary circle meeting reveal many prejudices and a failure to recognize the plight of those less fortunate in her own community.

“Sin and squalor…Oh that
“Sin and squalor…Oh that. Well, I always say forgive and forget, forgive and forget. Thing that church ought to do is help her lead a Christian life for those children from here on out” (231/264/309-10). Scout thinks Mrs. Merriweather is talking about Mayella Ewell in this quote – who is she really talking about? Mrs. Merriweather is talking about Helen Robinson, Tom’s wife, which does not make much sense. Why would Helen need to be forgiven? She did nothing wrong, nor did Tom. We are seeing here that despite everything, Mrs. Merriweather is persisting in believing Tom is guilty. This is similar to the way people persist in thinking Boo is guilty of crimes even when they find evidence to the contrary

Who is Mrs. Merriweather referring to?
“Mrs. Merriweather nodded wisely…’Now far be it from me to say who, but some of ‘em in this town thought they were doing the right thing a while back, but all they did was stir ‘em up’” (232-3/265/311). Who is Mrs. Merriweather referring to? Mrs. Merriweather is referring to Atticus and basically saying that he should not have defended Tom. She is complaining that the African American community is “stirred up” now and complains that her housekeeper has been “sulky.” There are valid reasons for them to be very upset; they just saw the justice system completely fail a member of their community and an innocent man sent to jail. However, Mrs. Merriweather seems oblivious or indifferent to this and complains that they don’t seem happy, which annoys her.

What foreshadows the news of Tom’s death?
Turn to page: 234/267/314 What foreshadows the news of Tom’s death? “Goodbye, Mr. Finch, there ain’t nothin’ you can do now, so there ain’t no use tryin’” ”Calpurnia said Atticus told her that the day they took Tom to prison he just gave up hope.” “Automatically, I wondered what time it was. Not nearly time for him to be home.” “His hat was in his hand, and his face was white.”

“Whether Maycomb knows it or not, we’re paying the highest tribute we can pay a man. We trust him to do right. It’s that simple.” “Who?” “The handful of people in this town who say that fair play is not marked White Only; the handful of people who say a fair trial is for everybody, not just us; the handful of people with enough humility to think, when they look at a Negro, there but for the Lord’s kindness am I” (236/269-70/316). This is a good place to talk about the roots of the Civil Rights Movement. This story takes place 25 years before Martin Luther King, etc, so we discuss how this way of life was largely accepted but slowly individuals (like Atticus) began to stand up for what was right. They stood against the mob mentality and eventually became the majority.

Explain why words like “death” and “editorial” are below
Chapter 25 Explain why words like “death” and “editorial” are below Mr. Underwood writes an editorial talking about Tom Robinson’s death

Why doesn’t Jem let Scout kill the roly-poly?
“’Don’t do that, Scout. Set him out on the back steps.’ ‘Jem, are you crazy?...’ ‘I said set him out on the back steps.’ Sighing, I scooped up the small creature, placed him on the bottom step and went back to my cot” (238/273/320). He tells her not to kill the roly-poly because “they don’t bother you.” This echoes Atticus’s instructions not to kill a mockingbird. Killing the roly-poly would be senseless since it is not hurting anything. Why doesn’t Jem let Scout kill the roly-poly?

How does this echo Atticus’s comment about killing mockingbirds?
“Mr. B.B. Underwood was at his most bitter…Mr. Underwood simply figured it was a sin to kill cripples, be they standing, sitting, or escaping. He likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children” (241/275/322-3). It was not necessary to kill Tom when he was escaping. They had other ways of catching him or they could have simply shot him once to wound him and slow him down. Instead, they mowed him down, shooting him 17 times. This was an unnecessary, senseless killing even if Tom had been guilty. Since we know he is innocent and only tried to help Mayella, it is even more heartbreaking. When Mr. Underwood compares this death to children killing songbirds, he is echoing Atticus’s belief that you shouldn’t kill a mockingbird (songbird) because they do nothing wrong, so killing them is senseless. This also echoes the beginning of the chapter, when Jem admonishes Scout for trying to kill the roly-poly. How does this echo Atticus’s comment about killing mockingbirds?

“Then Mr. Underwood’s meaning became clear: Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men’s hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed” (241/275-6/323). - Tom never had a chance. Simply Mayella’s accusation was enough to sentence him no matter what was done to defend him. What does Scout mean?

Who else might Mr. Ewell mean?
“The name Ewell gave me a queasy feeling. Maycomb had lost no time in getting Mr. Ewell’s views on Tom’s demise and passing them along…Mr. Ewell said it made one down and about two more to go” (241/276/323). Who else might Mr. Ewell mean? - Atticus? Tom’s wife? Heck Tate? The judge? (discuss reasons for or against these possibilities)

How does Hitler enter this chapter?
- Scout learns about Hitler in class from Miss Gates and about all of the ways that he is persecuting the Jews. Miss Gates says, “Over here we don’t believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution come from people who are prejudiced.” However, many of the laws being enacted against Jews are not that different from the Jim Crow laws of Scout’s town.

Do you think Scout will ever get to see Boo?
“We had almost seen [Boo] a couple of times, a good enough score for anybody. But I still looked for him each time I went by. Maybe someday I would see him” (242/278/325). Do you think Scout will ever get to see Boo? - Ask students to support their opinions with evidence from the text

Who is Scout talking about?
“Well, coming out of the courthouse that night…I heard her say it’s time somebody taught ‘em a lesson, they were getting’ way above themselves, an’ the next thing they think they can do is marry us. Jem, how can you hate Hitler so bad an’ then turn around and be so ugly about folks right at home -” (247/283/331). - Miss Gates. Scout is realizing how hypocritical it is for her teacher to claim what Hitler is doing to the Jews is a terrible thing when she is exhibiting the same sort of attitude towards the African Americans in her own community. Who is Scout talking about?

“The events of the summer hung over us like smoke in a closed room.”
Figurative Language “The events of the summer hung over us like smoke in a closed room.” Simile - The smoke is being compared to the trial and Tom’s death.

What strange event happens to Judge Taylor?
Chapter 27 What strange event happens to Judge Taylor? - Someone tried to break into his house and then ran away when they realized he was home.

He lost his new job and blames Atticus for it.
Mr. Ewell is merely a suspect in the case of Judge Taylor’s house, but what threatening things do we know he has done? He followed Helen to work, whispering foul words and making her afraid. He lost his new job and blames Atticus for it.

Why is Mr. Ewell holding a grudge?
“I think I understand…It might be because he knows in his heart that very few people in Maycomb really believed his an Mayella’s yarns. He thought he’s be a hero, but all he got for his pain was…was, okay, we’ll convict this Negro but get back to your dump…I proved him a liar but John made him look like a fool” (250/287/335). He knows no one really believed his story, and he doesn’t like the way he was treated by Atticus and the judge during the trial. He thought that he would get something out of the trial, but nothing has really changed for him; he still lives a miserable life in the garbage dump and is looked down upon by the whole town. Why is Mr. Ewell holding a grudge?

“After that, it didn’t matter whether they went or not. Jem said he would take me. Thus began our longest journey together” (254/291/340). How is this an example of foreshadowing? - It indicates that something important will happen in the next chapter. It builds suspense and anticipation.

Explain how Scout messes up in her performance.
Chapter 28 Explain how Scout messes up in her performance. Scout is performing at a pageant at school for Halloween. She is dressed as a ham, but she falls asleep and misses her cue. When she wakes up, she runs out in the middle of the finale, causing lots of laughter.

What happens to the children on their walk home?
“Mr. Tate found his neck and rubbed it. ‘Bob Ewell’s lyin’ on the ground under that tree down yonder with a kitchen knife stuck up under his ribs. He’s dead, Mr. Finch’” (266/305/357). What happens to the children on their walk home? They hear a noise that sounds like someone is following them. Eventually they run, but they are caught. There is a scuffle and then Jem is pulled away from Scout. Then she feels a man catch her and start to squeeze the breath out of her. Then she feels him pulled off of her and a scuffle on the ground. The next thing she sees is a man picking up Jem and carrying him into the house. She later describes this man as “some countryman” that she doesn’t know. Students get very confused in this chapter, so sometimes it is helpful to start from the chase and review it with them, pointing out these key moments.

Who is the “countryman” that Scout can’t identify at first?
Chapter 29 Who is the “countryman” that Scout can’t identify at first? Boo Radley

“As I pointed he brought his arms down and pressed the palms of his hands against the wall. They were white hands, sickly white hands that had never seen the sun…His face was as white as his hands, but for a shadow on his jutting chin. His cheeks were thin to hollowness; his mouth was wide; there were shallow, almost delicate indentations at his temples, and his gray eyes were so colorless I thought he was blind. His hair was dead and thin, almost feathery on top of his head” (270/310/362). I discuss the description of Boo with students. What can they infer based on his appearance and his mannerisms? Is this what they expected him to look like?

Who killed Bob Ewell? Chapter 30 - Arthur (Boo) Radley
I always have a significant number of students who are confused and think that it was Jem or that Bob Ewell fell on his knife. The next few slides go over key passages to help them understand how we are able to infer that Boo was the killer and to understand why Heck Tate decides not to tell anyone, making up the story of Bob Ewell falling on his knife to protect Boo.

“I never heard tell that it’s against the law for a citizen to do his utmost to prevent a crime from being committed, which is exactly what he did, but maybe you’ll say it’s my duty to tell the town all about it and not hush it up. Know what’d happen then? All the ladies in Maycomb includin’ my wife’d be knocking on his door bringing angel food cakes. To my way of thinkin’, Mr. Finch, taking the one man who’s done you and this town a great service an’ draggin’ him with his shy ways into the limelight – to me, that’s a sin. It’s a sin and I’m not about to have it on my head. If it was any other man it’d be different. But not this man, Mr. Finch” (276/317/369-70). This quote makes clear that Heck Tate believes Boo Radley was the killer, but that he doesn’t want to put Boo through all of the public attention that would come his way if he told the truth. Even if Boo was praised as a hero, someone as reclusive and private as him would be miserable from the attention. He did something good (saving the children), so why do something that would feel like a punishment to him? Heck Tate thinks it is easier to just say that Bob Ewell fell on his knife so that Boo will be left alone.

“Atticus sat looking at the floor for a long time
“Atticus sat looking at the floor for a long time. Finally he raised his head. ‘Scout,” he said, ‘Mr. Ewell fell on his knife. Can you possibly understand?’” (276/317/370). “’Yes sir, I understand,’ I reassured him. ‘Mr. Tate was right.’ Atticus disengaged himself and looked at me. ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Well, it’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?’” (276/317/370). Scout means that telling the truth about Boo would cause harm to someone who did nothing but good for them. Just like killing a mockingbird, exposing Boo to the public would be senseless. Although they would not be literally killing Boo, the public attention would be very painful and unpleasant for him, so why put him through that? What does Scout mean?

Who’s perspective does Scout see the world through in this chapter?
Boo Radley “Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough.”

“’An’ they chased him ‘n’ never could catch him ‘cause they didn’t know what he looked like, an’ Atticus, when they finally saw him, why he hadn’t done any of those things…Atticus, he was real nice…’ ‘Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them’” (281/322-3/376). She thought Boo was scary and believed rumors that he did terrible things. But it turned out that he wasn’t scary, and he turned out to be her secret protector. Scout is discussing the plot of The Grey Ghost, but how does it parallel her own experiences?

How is the mockingbird used as a symbol throughout the book
How is the mockingbird used as a symbol throughout the book? Which characters can be seen as mockingbirds? Tom Robinson because all he did was try to be nice to Mayella, but he ended up on trial for his life. Then when he was killed while trying to escape, his killing was unnecessary and senseless. Atticus because he tried to do a good thing by defending Tom Robinson, but he was criticized by the community and his two children were almost murdered as a result Scout and Jem can be seen as the mockingbird when Bob Ewell tries to kill them. They are completely innocent and have nothing to do with the trial, so Bob Ewell’s murder attempt would be a completely senseless killing Boo is like the mockingbird because telling the community about his involvement in Bob Ewell’s death would bring senseless misery to him

What is the author's overall message about:
THEMES What is the author's overall message about: Prejudice Perspective Courage Growing up Prejudice is like a disease that can infect good people and make them do terrible things. Prejudice takes many forms in the novel; characters are “pre-judged” based on race, class, gender, etc. The novel critiques this closed-mindedness and teaches to teach all members of society with an equal level of respect. It’s important to always try and see things from other people’s perspectives and understand where they are coming from. This is a good strategy for preventing prejudiced thinking. Courage is often confused with strength. The novel argues that courage is doing the right thing even when you know it is likely that you will fail The children lose their innocence in the novel. In the beginning they see the world in a very uncomplicated way, but they learn that there is good and evil in everyone around them; people are a complicated mixture of strengths and weaknesses. They also learn to challenge the status quo and the importance of doing the right thing. They learn important lessons about prejudice, perspective, and courage.

THE END

Common Core Key Ideas and Details
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.1 Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.2 Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.3 Analyze how and why individuals, events, or ideas develop and interact over the course of a text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.1, Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.3 Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.

Common Core CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.1 Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.3 Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot). CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.3 Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.

Common Core CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme. Craft and Structure CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.4 Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

Common Core CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.5 Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole or humor. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.6 Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

Common Core CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.6 Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense Vocabulary Acquisition and Use CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.4a Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.5a Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification) in context. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.4a Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

Common Core CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.5a Interpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical, and mythological allusions) in context. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.5a Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. Standards from © Copyright National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.

Close Reading To Kill a Mockingbird.

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Close Reading To Kill a Mockingbird.

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