Characters
Narrator
Scout or Jean Louis Finch
Bob Ewell is?
Mayella's father,who is an alcoholic, racist, and violent. Bob represents the darker side of Maycomb, willing to perpetuate lies and commit violence to protect his own reputation.
Racial Prejudice
The unfair treatment of someone based on their race. In Maycomb, this is a pervasive theme, especially in how Tom Robinson is treated during the trial.
Scout's introduces her family and the Southern town of Maycomb. We meet Jem- Scout's older brother- and Atticus, their father, a lawyer with strong moral convictions. This is what?
Introduction to Maycomb and the Finch Family
What does Tom Robinson's conviction show what?
Racial Prejudice
Narrator's older brother
Jem/Jeremy Finch
Boo Radley is?
A mysterious and reclusive man who is initially feared by Scout and Jem.Throughout the novel, Boo evolves from a figure of local superstition to a compassionate, protective figure who ultimately saves Scout and Jem from Bob Ewell’s attack.
Segregation
The separation of people, especially based on race, in public places. Maycomb in the 1930's is deeply segregated- socially and legally
Tom Robinson, a black man, is accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman. Atticus is appointed as his defence lawyer. The trial reveals the racial prejudices of the town and the flaws of the justice system. What is this?
Tom Robinson's trial
What does Mayella accuse Tom Robinson of?
Sexual Assault
Narrator's father- Defends Tom Robinson
Atticus Finch
Mayella Ewell is?
The young white woman who accuses Tom Robinson of raping her. Her testimony is central to the trial, and she represents both the complexity of victimhood and the consequences of racial and social inequality in Maycomb.
Fortitude
Courage in pain or adversity. Many characters in the novel-especially Atticus- demonstrate fortitude in the face of hostility or injustice.
Scout, Jem, and Dill are fascinated by the mysterious Boo Radley. They imagine all sorts of stories about him and the three children spend time trying to make Boo come outside. This is what?
Boo Radley and the children's fascination
What is the setting?
Maycomb County, Alabama, 1930's
The Finch's caretaker
Calpurnia
Tom Robinson is?
A black man accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Tom represents the mockingbird in the story—an innocent man wronged by society and the judicial system. Despite his innocence, he is convicted due to racial prejudice.
Empathy
the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. A key lesson in the novel is the importance of walking in someone else's shoes, as expressed by Atticus.
Throught the trial and its aftermath, Scout + Jem mature, learning about the complexities of human nature, injustice, and moral courage. They begin to lose their childhood innocence and understand the importance of empathy and integrity. What does this show?
Jem and Scout's growth
Who does Atticus accuse in the trial?
Bob Ewell
neighbor that offers moral guidance and perspective during the trial
Miss Maudie
Dill Harris is?
Scout’s summer friend who stays with his aunt, Miss Rachel, in Maycomb. Dill is curious, imaginative, and often the one to coax Scout and Jem into adventurous activities. His reaction to the trial highlights his moral development.
Mockingbird
A symbol of innocence and goodness, representing characters who are harmed or destroyed by the prejudice or evil of others-i.e. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley
At the end of the novel, Scout finally meets Boo Radley. She realizes that he was never the monster she imagined and that he had been watching over her and her brother all along. She stands on Boo's porch, symbolizing her growth and understanding. What does this show?
Scout's understanding of Boo Radley.
Why is the title significant?
It shows the loss of innocence. To Kill a mockingbird is a sin