Themes
A theme shown by the treatment of Tom Robinson.
What is racism?
This character is in a wheelchair, and supposedly keeps a Confederate pistol in their lap.
Who is Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose?
In his closing remarks, Atticus clearly states that the Courts and Justice system are a symbol of this.
What is equality?
Atticus tells Jem very specifically that this is not a measure or symbol of courage.
What is "a man with a gun in his hand"?
The night that Jem, Dill, and Scout sneak into the Radley yard, they are shot at and Jem loses this.
What are pants?
This may be obvious given that Scout goes from six to nine years old, and Jem from ten to nearly thirteen, but the theme is shown most strongly by Jem's changes in attitude, such as calling Atticus when Dill ran away, and his evolving understanding of Arthur Radley.
What is growing up?
A foil for Miss Maudie Atkinson, this character is a spiteful gossip, and makes subtlety insulting jokes.
Who is Miss Stephanie Crawford?
This shared injury is a physical reflection of the damage the results of the Tom Robinson trial did to Jem Finch.
What is crippled left arms?
The fact that cousin Francis tells Scout Dill's backstory and calls Dill trash and Atticus a [slur]-lover reveals that Aunt Alexandra is this in support of and pride for her family.
What is hypocrisy; being a hypocrite?
Jem's punishment of reading to Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose was, more importantly, a way to help her do this.
What is overcoming morphene addiction?
Atticus attempts to teach his children the importance of this quality of doing the thing you know is right, regardless of who -- or how many people -- agree with you.
What is integrity?
Where does Dill come from?
Where is Meridian, Mississippi?
Talking with his brother Jack, Atticus describes racism as "Maycomb's usual disease;" shortly after through Atticus's shooting of Tim Johnson, the book suggests racism is most like this specific disease.
What is rabies?
Over the course of the novel, Arthur Radley proves his kindness by gifts left in the knothole, and demonstrates his protectiveness by giving Scout and Jem these items when they most needed them.
What are a blanket, and Jem's (repaired) pants?
There are three people Scout specifically mentions in the context of fighting, Walter and Francis, whom she beats up, and this third person, whom she decides not to fight.
Who is Cecil Jacobs?
The fact that racism is bad for society as a whole, and that while it is aimed at -- and does the most harm to -- minorities, it also has negative effects on white individuals is illustrated by the lives of these two (unrelated) characters.
Who are Miss Mayella Ewell and Mr. Dolphus Raymond?
DOUBLE JEOPARDY:
Explain HOW
Calpurnia's given name belonged to this historical figure, providing her with spiritual dignity and power.
Who is the wife of Julius Caesar?
The fact that Scout gets punished at school for already knowing how to read and write is a symbol of this conflict or distinction.
What is the difference between education and learning?
The Ewell family's long-standing comittment to racism and Jim Crow can be seen in Bob Ewell being named after this individual.
Who is Robert E. Lee?
DOUBLE JEOPARDY
Who was Lee, what did he do?
Because there is no room in the courthouse, Jem, Scout, and Dill watch the trial from here.
Where is the colored balcony?
DOUBLE JEOPARDY
Who invited them?
Talking to Scout about Arthur Radley, Miss Maudie states another of the themes of the book, talking about how many people behave differently in public than in private, and no one knows this.
What is "what happens behind closed doors"?
This character, Tom Robinson's employer, gets thrown out of court for interfering with the trial by calling out from the gallery that Tom is a hard worker and a good man.
Who is Mr. Link Deas?
Scout refers to the traditions of this as "the starched walls of a pink cotton penitentiary."
What is adulthood?
These are the four types of flowers specifically mentioned multiple times in the text as being grown by and cared for by four different women.
What are roses, azaleas, camellias, and geraniums?
At the end of the trial, even though he lost, Atticus mentions that just having the jury take three hours to reach a decision was a kind of victory, especially considering that the juror causing the delay was this person.
Who is Walter Cunningham, Sr.?