To Kill a Mockingbird

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To Kill a

Mockingbird

by

Harper Lee

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To Kill a Mockingbird Objectives

After reading the novel, you should be able to do the following:

1. Analyze the point of view and decide whether it is effective or

ineffective.

2. Explain the significance of the title of the novel.

3. Clearly state the theme or themes of the novel.

4. Define courage and find examples of various kinds of courage.

5. Contrast the conditions of economic life for whites and blacks in the

South during the Depression.

6. Describe the relationship between races in the South in the 1930s

7. Identify the negative effects of racial intolerance as they are

revealed in the novel.

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To Kill a Mockingbird NAME: Discussion Statements

For each statement answer A if you agree or D if you disagree, and briefly explain your reasoning. There is no answering that you are in-between or undecided. Be prepared to discuss your responses.

1. All men are created equal

2. Girls should act like girls.

3. It’s okay to be different.

4. Nobody is all bad or all good.

5. Some words are so offensive that they should never be stated or written.

6. Under our justice system, all citizens are treated fairly in our courts of law.

7. The old adage “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you” is true.

8. Speaking standard grammar proves that a person is smart.

9. A hero is born, not made

10. No one is above the law.

11. Education is the great equalizer

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Harper Lee Background Information

Nelle Harper Lee is a descendant of Southern general

_______________. She was born in to Frances

________________ Cunningham Lee (her mother) and Amasa Coleman Lee

(her father), a ___________________. She grew up in the small Alabama

town of __________________. She was the youngest of

children. One of her best childhood friends was her schoolmate and

neighbor, _________________________________, the author of

Handcarved Coffins. As an adult, she studied _____________ at the

University of _______________________ before pursuing a

_________________ career. Upon leaving Alabama, Harper Lee traveled

to ________________________________________ where she worked

as an __________________ reservation clerk. Eventually she resigned

from that job and moved into a ____________, drab apartment and

concentrated on her _____. In , she

submitted the first manuscript of

_______________________________________. The editors

_______________________ her work and said it was not cohesive. For

the next __________ months, Lee worked to revise the entire book. Lee

says the revision was very difficult, as writing has never been

____ for her. Finally, in , her first and only novel,

To Kill a Mockingbird, was published. It became an instant bestseller and

the winner of the _____________________ Prize for Fiction in

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Today Lee’s novel continues to have ____________ readership. It is widely

read in schools across the _____________________. One reason To Kill a

Mockingbird has retained such a large audience is its important, well-stated

_________________ about prejudice, justice and

_________________________________. Another reason for the

attraction of Lee’s story is the presence of an appealing

____________________, Scout Finch. Lee drew upon her own

_______________________ when she created Scout. Both she and the

narrator were inquisitive _____________________. She was also the

same age as Scout in the years covered by the novel. In fact, many of the

____________________ in To Kill a Mockingbird reflect Harper Lee’s own

. Atticus __, the central adult

character in the novel, is certainly patterned after Lee’s own father, who

was also a ___________________. Truman Capote served as a model for

. Lee also drew upon her ________ of

Monroeville citizens, social conventions, and locale to create a

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Events in History at the Time the Novel Takes Place - 1930s Agricultural and Economic Background

 The Great Depression – 1930s

 Poor farming conditions in the south – over farming of single crops

 Exodus of younger generation Southerners – better opportunities in cities

 F.D.R’s Economic Programs (The New Deal)

o National Recovery Act – minimum wage/maximum hours – benefited children o Works Progress Administration – put 8 million unemployed Americans to

work in less than a decade

Sexual Taboos

 Racial Complications – Black males with white females and White males with black females

 Mutual Repulsion – Blacks wanted to protect unity of their race – stop mixing, stop

“messing it up”

Mob Violence (KKK)

 Vigilante Retribution People beaten, tortured, burned alive

 Mob “Justice” As cotton prices fell, mob violence rose

 Lynchings

Woman’s Role

 Double Standard

o Traditionally: idle, well-mannered, and skilled in the ways of hospitality o Family’s social standard dictated expectations

 Raising of children left to hardworking black “mammies” – little mother involvement, allowed mothers to socialize, African American women welcomed into the homes, not treated like slaves

Small-town Life

 Social Divisions (skin color, gender, income, achievements)  Family History

Events in History at the Time the Novel Was Written - Written and revised from 1957 until published in 1960

The Civil Rights Movement

 Racial Tensions Reaching Heated Proportions

 Educational Segregation Issues – 1957, nine students were prevented from entering Little Rock Central High School (eventually they were escorted into the school)

 The Montgomery Bus Boycott – December 5, 1955 – December 20, 1956

 NAACP Banned in Alabama – the group supported Autherine Lucy’s attempt to enter

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The Scottsboro Trials

A summary: One of the most notorious series of trials in the nation’s history. On March 25, 1931, a freight train was stopped in Paint Rock, a tiny community in Northern Alabama, and nine young African American men who had been riding the rails were arrested. As two white women – one underage – descended from the freight cards, they accused the men of raping them while on the train. Within a month, the first man was found guilty and

sentenced to death. There followed a series of sensational trials condemning the other solely on the testimony of the older woman, a known prostitute, who was attempting to avoid prosecution under the Mann Act. (The Mann Act prohibits taking a minor across state lines for immoral purposes, like prostitution).

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Parallels Between

the Scottsboro and Tom Robinson Trials

The Scottsboro Trials

Took place in the 1930s

Took place in northern Alabama

Began with a charge of rape made by white women against African

American men

The poor white status of the accusers was a critical issue.

A central figure was a heroic judge, a member of the Alabama Bar who overturned a guilty jury verdict against African American men.

This judge went against public sentiment in trying to protect the rights of the African American defendants.

The first juries failed to include any African Americans, a situation which caused the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the guilty verdict.

The jury ignored evidence, for example, that the women suffered no injuries.

Attitudes about Southern women and poor whites complicated the trial.

Tom Robinson's Trial

Occurs in the 1930s

Takes place in southern Alabama

Begins with a charge of rape made by a white woman against an African American man

The poor white status of Mayella is a critical issue.

A central figure is Atticus, lawyer, legislator and member of the Alabama Bar, who defends an African American man.

Atticus arouses anger in the community in trying to defend Tom Robinson.

The verdict is rendered by a jury of poor white residents of Old Sarum.

The jury ignores evidence, for example, that Tom has a useless left arm.

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To Kill a Mockingbird

NAME:

Vocabulary and Reading Study Guide Questions

PART ONE

Chapter 1

 Assuaged _________________________________________________  Entity ____________________________________________________

 Nebulous __________________________________________________  Piety _____________________________________________________

 Vapid ____________________________________________________

1. Describe the physical setting of the story.

2. What is the relationship between the narrator (identified later as Scout or Jean Louise) and her brother Jem and their father?

3. Who is Dill?

4. When the “routine” of Jem, Scout, and Dill’s summer becomes tiresome, what ideas does Dill have?

5. How had Mr. Radley seen to it that his younger son Arthur (Boo) caused “no further trouble” in Maycomb?

6. After Mr. Radley died, what change occurred at the Radley place?

7. What dare of Dill’s does Jem finally accept?

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Chapter 2

 Illicitly___________________________________________________

 Sojourn___________________________________________________

1. When Jem takes Scout to school for her first day, what “order” does he give her?

2. What two things does Miss Caroline tell Scout that Atticus is not to do anymore?

3. When Scout tries to spare Walter any further humiliation, what does Miss Caroline do to her?

 Reactions / Thoughts / Questions:

Chapter 3

 Contemptuous ______________________________________________

 Contentious ________________________________________________  Persevere _________________________________________________ 1. At the Finch’s for lunch, what reason does Walter give Atticus for not being able to pass the first grade?

2. After Calpurnia makes Scout leave the table, what “lecture” does she give Scout?

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4. How does Little Chuck Little describe Burris’ personality?

5. After Scout’s first day of school, what is her assessment and what is her plan?

6. After Scout begs Atticus not to make her return to school, what advice does her give her for getting along with people?

Chapter 4

 Auspicious _________________________________________________  Gingerly __________________________________________________

 Tyranny __________________________________________________

1. Explain why Scout goes back to the Radley place one afternoon.

2. What is the neighborhood’s opinion of Mrs. Dubose?

3. What does Jem say about the “Indian-heads” they find in the knothole of the tree?

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5. After Atticus catches the children with scissors, what is Jem’s reaction?

6. What does Jem say that further explains his reaction?

7. After Atticus catches the children with scissors, what is Scout’’s reaction?

8. What happened that made Scout react this way?

Chapter 5

 Benign ____________________________________________________  Inquisitive _________________________________________________

 Morbid ___________________________________________________  Placidly___________________________________________________ 1. Explain why Scout becomes annoyed with Dill.

2. What does Miss Maudie tell Scout about “some kind of men?”

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4. What order does Atticus give the children regarding Boo?

Chapter 6

 Ensuing ___________________________________________________  Malignant _________________________________________________

 Prowess __________________________________________________

1. Why do Dill, Jem, and Scout run from the Radley place?

2. How does Dill explain Jem’s missing pants?

3. What, according to Scout, causes Jem and her to begin “to part company?”

Chapter 7

 Ascertaining _______________________________________________

 Vigil _____________________________________________________

1. Summarize Scout’s assessment of the second grade.

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3. What do Jem and Scout finally realize about the carved soap figures they find in the knothole?

4. When Jem and Scout find the knothole filled with cement, what explanation does Nathan Radley give?

5. What does Atticus tell Jem about the tree?

Chapter 8

 Aberrations _______________________________________________  Adjacent __________________________________________________

 Caricatures ________________________________________________  Perpetrated _______________________________________________ 1. Describe how Jem constructs his “snowman.”

2. What compliment does Atticus pay Jem?

3. For what does Atticus criticize Jem?

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5. What is Scout wearing?

6. How does Atticus explain the presence of what she is wearing?

7. Describe Scout’s reaction to the news she receives.

8. What is Miss Maudie’s reaction to the loss of her house?

 Reactions / Thought / Questions:

Chapter 9

 Ingenuous _________________________________________________  Provocation ________________________________________________

 Siblings ___________________________________________________  Tentatively ________________________________________________ 1. Why does Scout forget what Atticus told her about fighting?

2. What does Atticus tell Scout to do when she hears “ugly talk” at school?

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4. Explain Scout’s reasoning regarding her “cussing fluently.”

5. Why does Scout fight Francis?

6. What does Scout make her Uncle Jack promise not to tell Atticus the truth about?

7. What does Atticus tell Jack he hopes Jem and Scout will do instead of listening to the town?

Chapter 10

 Attributes ________________________________________________

 Rudiments _________________________________________________  Vehemently ________________________________________________ 1. Explain why Scout is upset over Atticus being “so old.”

2. Atticus tells the children they’re not to kill mockingbirds because doing so is a sin. How does Miss Maudie explain his reasoning to Scout?

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4. What explanation does Miss Maudie offer for “Ol’ One-Shot” putting his gun down thirty years ago?

Chapter 11

 Devoid ___________________________________________________  Interrogation ______________________________________________

 Reconnaissance _____________________________________________  Rectitude _________________________________________________ 1. What does Atticus do that causes Scout to say she felt he was “the bravest

man who ever lived?”

2. What does Jem do to Mrs. Dubose’s camellia bushes? Why does he do this?

3. What does Mrs. Dubose want from Jem as payment for his “crime?”

4. How does Atticus explain the term “nigger-lover” to Scout?

5. What change had occurred in Mrs. Dubose by the last week Scout and Jem went to her home?

6. How does Atticus explain courage to Jem?

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Chapter 12

 Austere __________________________________________________

 Ecclesiastical ______________________________________________  Subdued __________________________________________________ 1. What three things are perplexing Scout at the beginning of the summer?

2. Explain what Scout finds unusual about Calpurnia’s manner of speaking at the Negro church.

3. Why does Reverend Sykes order the doors of the church shut?

4. Why does the congregation sing the hymns by “lining?”

5. What explanation does Cal give for talking “nigger-talk?”

6. Who is sitting on the Finch’s front porch?

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To Kill a Mockingbird

Part One Wrap-Up

The “mocker” was adopted as the state bird of Texas in 1927.

The song of the mockingbird is, in fact, a medley of the calls of many other birds. Each imitation is repeated two or three times, then another song is started, all in rapid succession. It is common for an individual bird to have as many as 25-30 songs in its repertory.

The mockingbird is also known as a fierce protector of its nest and environment. It is sometimes seen swooping down on a dog, cat, or predator that may be venturing too close to the bird’s protected territory.

*********************************************************************************

In Chapter 10 Atticus tells Jem, “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (90).

1. Thinking about the quote above, why is killing a mockingbird different (for Atticus) from killing a bluejay?

____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

Thomas Jefferson once said, “I sincerely congratulate you on the arrival of the

mockingbird. Learn all the children to venerate* it as a superior being in the form of a bird, or as a being which will haunt them if any harm is done to itself or its eggs.”

*regard with respect

2. Thinking about the Thomas Jefferson quote, if a mockingbird is supposed to represent something or someone, what or who might that be?

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To Kill a Mockingbird

NAME:

Vocabulary and Reading Study Guide Questions

PART TWO

Chapter 13

 Caste ____________________________________________________  Elusive ___________________________________________________

 Formidable ________________________________________________  Obliquely __________________________________________________

 Prerogative ________________________________________________

1. How does Atticus explain Aunt Alexandra’s arrival?

2. What does Aunt Alexandra request that Atticus try to convey to the children?

3. Explain why Scout cries.

4. What does Atticus tell the children to do concerning the conversation about family pride?

Chapter 14

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2. What does Scout say she had never heard of or seen before? How does it make her feel?

3. How does Atticus deal with Scout’s question about whether or not she has to mind Jem?

4. How does Atticus deal with finding Dill in Scout’s room?

5. What question does Scout ask Dill about Boo? What is Dill’s response?

Chapter 15

 Affliction _________________________________________________  Criteria ___________________________________________________

 Ominous __________________________________________________

1. Even though Dill gets permission to stay in Maycomb, Scout says their peace ended after a week. Why?

2. Describe Dill’s latest plan to get Boo to come out.

3. When Jem asks Atticus if the men who came to the house were a gang, what is Atticus’ response?

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5. After Atticus leaves the house late at night, where do the children find him? What is he doing?

6. Explain why the men have come to the jail.

7. After Scout talks to Mr. Cunningham about Walter and the entailment of his farm, what does he do?

8. What has Mr. Underwood been doing?

Chapter 16

 Conceded _________________________________________________

 Elucidate __________________________________________________

1. What connection does Scout make that causes her to cry?

2. What subtle change does Scout notice in Atticus?

3. How does Atticus explain “mobs” to the children?

4. What is Miss Maudie’s reaction to everyone wanting to go to the trial?

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6. What news does Scout overhear about Atticus defending Tom Robinson? Does it give her any comfort?

7. With whom do the children sit in the courtroom?

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The Power of Different Perspectives

In chapter 3, after Scout recounts her “misfortunes” of the day with Walter and Miss Caroline and Burris Ewell at school, Atticus said, “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).

In Chapter 16, back home after Scout is responsible for diffusing the mob that was at the jail to lynch Tom Robinson, Atticus said, “You children last night made

Walter Cunningham stand in my shoes a minute. That was enough” (157).

Which of these statements do you think is more powerful, walking around in someone else’s skin or standing in their shoes? Why?

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

What do these statements reveal about the way Atticus deals with problems?

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

What does he hope Scout will learn from these statements?

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Chapter 17

 Acrimonious _______________________________________________

 Amiably ___________________________________________________  Indigenous ________________________________________________

 Tenet ____________________________________________________  Terse ____________________________________________________ 1. What question does Atticus ask the sheriff three times?

2. What does Atticus lead Sheriff Tate to remember about Mayella Ewell’s black eye?

3. Explain why Jem tells Rev. Sykes that it is okay for Scout to stay in the courtroom.

4. What excuse does Mr. Ewell give for not running after Tom Robinson?

5. Explain what Atticus is attempting to show by asking Mr. Ewell to write something.

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Chapter 18

 Articulate _________________________________________________

 Irrelevant _________________________________________________  Stealthy __________________________________________________ 1. Why does Mayella think Atticus is mocking her?

2. What is Mayella’s response to Atticus’ question about her having friends?

3. Explain why Atticus has Tom Robinson stand up.

Chapter 19

 Candid

____________________________________________________

 Expunge __________________________________________________

 Impudent _________________________________________________

1. According to Tom, where had Mayella’s brothers and sisters gone on the evening in question?

2. Identify what Tom says Mayella did to him while he was (1) standing on the chair; (2) after he got off the chair; and (3) afterwards.

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4. What mistake does Tom make when Mr. Gilmer asks him to explain why he helped Mayella?

5. What explanation does Dill give Scout about his becoming sick?

6. How does Mr. Raymond explain his pretense about drinking?

Chapter 20

 Corroborative ______________________________________________  Discreet __________________________________________________

 Indicted __________________________________________________  Iota _____________________________________________________ 1. When Scout and Dill return to the courtroom, what prediction does Jem make?

2. What, according to Atticus, is the one thing in this country that makes everyone equal?

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TKAM Point of View Project

One of the major themes in Harper Lee’s novel is the concept of putting yourself

in someone else’s shoes—looking at things from their point of view. For this

assignment that is exactly what you are to do.

Directions:

You are to write from

3 (THREE)

different points of view. You are:

-someone from the black community

-someone from Old Sarum

-and either Atticus or one of the children (Jem, Scout, or Dill)

You need to compose

2 (TWO) journal entries

(informal writing) and

1 (ONE)

letter

to the editor, Mr. Underwood (formal writing).

Length:

Each journal entry will be two to three paragraphs (one page) and the

letter to the editor will be two to three paragraphs (one page).

Content:

Your journal entries will be written in 1

st

_{person point of view as if you}

are each character. Think about what that person’s daily routines are. This can be

in your journal entry to make it more realistic. It should also pertain to the

accusations of rape and the trial itself. Your journal entry will stop prior to the

verdict. Your letter to the editor should follow formal writing conventions. This

is after the verdict is out.

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Writing a letter to the editor is a good idea to start with if you are trying to

use newspapers to express your views. While you have to be polite in your

words, you have to be accurate in facts and figures that you are going to

mention in the letter.

How to Write a Letter to the Editor

A letter to the editor has to be written by keeping certain points in mind.

Firstly, letter to the editor format has to be proper. Details about your

address and contact numbers must be specifically mentioned in the letter as

that will help the media you are sending your letter validate that the letter

is from proper resources. Here are some tips for writing a letter to the

editor format that will give you an idea of proper letter to the editor

format, that is a step by step method to structure your letter.



Choose one issue about which you wish to write the letter. Ensure that

there is a title about what you are writing.



Begin by writing your interest in the issue as an individual or as an

organization (if you are representing an organization). This states the

purpose of letter in short.



Write 2 - 3 sentences about giving some examples to validate your

interest/reason for writing the letter. These may be facts and data

collected by you that highlight the intensity of a specific situation or

other similar things.



Give some of your personal opinions.



In one or two sentences, provide motivation or encourage readers to

champion the cause that you are trying to highlight through your

letter like global warming, pollution, traffic problems, etc.



Ensure all paragraphs are properly assembled.



Address the letter as "Dear Editor".



Mention your full name and contact details properly at the end of the

letter.



Proofreading the letter to the editor is important as that will help to

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JOURNAL 1

____________________________________________________________________

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JOURNAL 2

____________________________________________________________________

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

____________________________________________________________________

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Chapter 21

 Tacit _____________________________________________________ 1. What does Jem think when Atticus calls them from the balcony?

2. Describe Cal’s reaction the children having been at the trial. What is Alexandra’s reaction?

3. What is Rev. Sykes’ response to Jem’s certainty the jury will find Tom innocent?

4. When the jury returns, what does Scout observe about them?

5. Why does the balcony stand for Atticus as he leaves?

Chapter 22

 Cynical ___________________________________________________

 Fatalistic _________________________________________________

1. What is Atticus’ response to Alexandra’s attempt to say the children shouldn’t have witnessed the trial?

2. What is Atticus’ response to Jem’s question about how the jury could have convicted Tom?

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4. What does Maudie say about Atticus’ ability to have kept the jury out for so long?

5. What has Bob Ewell done to Atticus?

Chapter 23

 Adamant __________________________________________________  Furtive ___________________________________________________

 Obscure __________________________________________________  Sordid ___________________________________________________

 Wryly ____________________________________________________

1. What had Atticus told Jem about having a gun around?

2. What is Atticus’ conclusion about Bob Ewell’s behavior that morning?

3. Explain what will happen to Tom if he loses his appeal.

4. When Jem suggests that juries should be done away with, what does Atticus suggest should be done instead?

5. How does Atticus explain the fact that women can’t serve on juries in Alabama?

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7. What is Aunt Alexandra’s decision about Walter Cunningham? What is her reasoning?

8. What conclusion does Jem come to about Boo Radley?

Chapter 24

 Apprehension ______________________________________________  Impertinence ______________________________________________

 Squalor ___________________________________________________

1. After their discussion of the Mrunas, what do the ladies of the missionary society do?

2. What is Miss Stephanie’s advice to Scout about becoming a lady?

3. What did Mrs. Merriweather say the cooks and field hands did after the trial? Why?

4. What does Mrs. Merriweather say that she told “her” Sophy?

5. Describe Mrs. Merriweather’s view of Northerners. Why does she hold this view?

6. What news does Atticus bring about Tom Robinson?

7. How does Atticus explain what Tom has done?

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Chapter 25

 Veneer ___________________________________________________ 1. What is Scout’s assessment of Jem’s changed behavior after he won’t let her

kill the roly-poly?

2. Why is Maycomb only interested in the news about Tom’s death for two days?

3. What does Mr. Underwood say in his editorial?

4. What conclusion does Scout come to after reading Mr. Underwood’s article?

5. What comment has Mr. Ewell made about Tom’s death?

Chapter 26

 Recluse ___________________________________________________ 1. What does Scout fantasize about?

2. What historical figure does Miss Gates condemn? Why is this ironic?

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Chapter 27

 Nondescript _______________________________________________  Purloined __________________________________________________ 1. Why does Bob Ewell lose his WPA job? Whom does he blame?

2. Why does Judge Taylor have a shotgun in his lap when his wife comes home from church?

3. Why is Helen Robinson walking a mile out of her way to get to her job?

4. Describe how Atticus explains Bob Ewell’s dislike of John Taylor.

5. What are the discomforts of Scout’s ham costume she is to wear in the Halloween pageant?

6. After reading the last lines of chapter 27, go back to the beginning of the novel and read the first 2 paragraphs of chapter 1.

Chapter 28

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 Subordinates

_______________________________________________

 Teeming __________________________________________________ 1. As Scout and Jem walk to the school, what happens to them?

2. After Jem tries to comfort Scout for coming out on stage at the wrong time, what does Scout realize about Jem?

3. When Jem hears someone following him and Scout on their way home, who does he conclude it is?

4. How does Scout know that the body she touches with her toes is not Jem’s?

5. When Scout reaches the street, what does she see in the light?

6. What, according to Dr. Reynolds, is Jem’s condition?

7. Who is in Jem’s room besides Scout, Atticus, and Alexandra?

8. What news does Sheriff Tate give Atticus?

Chapter 29

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2. What conclusion does Sheriff Tate come to about Scout’s costume? 3. According to the sheriff, what kind of man was Bob Ewell?

4. When Scout points to the man who saved Jem and looks at him closely, what does she realize? What does she do and say?

Chapter 30

 Competent ________________________________________________

 Connived __________________________________________________

1. Why does Atticus suggest they go to the porch instead of the living room? Why does Scout seat Boo in a chair in dark shadow?

2. Who does Atticus think killed Bob Ewell?

3. What does Sheriff Tate say about Bob Ewell’s death?

4. When the sheriff continues to argue with Atticus about protecting Jem, what does the sheriff yell?

5. What does the sheriff say the townspeople would do, including his wife, if they knew the truth about whom killed Bob Ewell? What does the sheriff say would be a sin?

6. What is Scout’s response when Atticus asks her if she can understand that “Mr. Ewell fell on his knife?”

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Chapter 31



Acquiescence ______________________________________________ 1. After Scout takes Boo home, what makes her sad?

2. Before Scout leaves to go home she stands on the porch and looks out at the neighborhood. Whose shoes does she stand in and what does she see?

3. As Scout tells Atticus the story of The Gray Ghost, what does she say about Stoner’s Boy? What is Atticus’ response?

To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a

Mockingbird

by

Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird Objectives

After reading the novel, you should be able to do the following:

1. Analyze the point of view and decide whether it is effective or

ineffective.

2. Explain the significance of the title of the novel.

3. Clearly state the theme or themes of the novel.

4. Define courage and find examples of various kinds of courage.

5. Contrast the conditions of economic life for whites and blacks in the

South during the Depression.

6. Describe the relationship between races in the South in the 1930s

7. Identify the negative effects of racial intolerance as they are

revealed in the novel.

Harper Lee Background Information

Nelle Harper Lee is a descendant of Southern general

_________________________. She was born in __________ to Frances

________________ Cunningham Lee (her mother) and Amasa Coleman Lee

(her father), a ___________________. She grew up in the small Alabama

town of ________________________. She was the youngest of ______

children. One of her best childhood friends was her schoolmate and

neighbor, _________________________________, the author of

Handcarved Coffins. As an adult, she studied _____________ at the

University of _______________________ before pursuing a

_________________ career. Upon leaving Alabama, Harper Lee traveled

to ________________________________________ where she worked

as an __________________ reservation clerk. Eventually she resigned

from that job and moved into a ____________, drab apartment and

concentrated on her _________________. In ____________, she

submitted the first manuscript of

_______________________________________. The editors

_______________________ her work and said it was not cohesive. For

the next __________ months, Lee worked to revise the entire book. Lee

says the revision was very difficult, as writing has never been

______________ for her. Finally, in __________, her first and only novel,

To Kill a Mockingbird, was published. It became an instant bestseller and

the winner of the _____________________ Prize for Fiction in

Today Lee’s novel continues to have ____________ readership. It is widely

read in schools across the _____________________. One reason To Kill a

Mockingbird has retained such a large audience is its important, well-stated

_________________ about prejudice, justice and

_________________________________. Another reason for the

attraction of Lee’s story is the presence of an appealing

____________________, Scout Finch. Lee drew upon her own

_______________________ when she created Scout. Both she and the

narrator were inquisitive _____________________. She was also the

same age as Scout in the years covered by the novel. In fact, many of the

____________________ in To Kill a Mockingbird reflect Harper Lee’s own

________________. Atticus __________________, the central adult

character in the novel, is certainly patterned after Lee’s own father, who

was also a ___________________. Truman Capote served as a model for

______________. Lee also drew upon her ______________________ of

Monroeville citizens, social conventions, and locale to create a

To Kill a Mockingbird

NAME:

Vocabulary and Reading Study Guide Questions

PART ONE

To Kill a Mockingbird

Part One Wrap-Up

To Kill a Mockingbird

NAME:

Vocabulary and Reading Study Guide Questions

PART TWO

The Power of Different Perspectives

TKAM Point of View Project

One of the major themes in Harper Lee’s novel is the concept of putting yourself

in someone else’s shoes—looking at things from their point of view. For this

assignment that is exactly what you are to do.

Directions:

You are to write from

3 (THREE)

different points of view. You are:

-someone from the black community

-someone from Old Sarum

-and either Atticus or one of the children (Jem, Scout, or Dill)

You need to compose

2 (TWO) journal entries

_______________. She was born in to Frances

town of __________________. She was the youngest of

concentrated on her _____. In , she

____ for her. Finally, in , her first and only novel,

. Atticus __, the central adult

. Lee also drew upon her ________ of

_{person point of view as if you}