Characters
Symbols&Theme
Plot and Conflict
Style&Devices
Universal Truths
100
Jem Finch
Who is Scout's imaginative, protective, caring, stubborn, curious, and brave older brother?
100
Explain an example from the novel that shows the theme of justice or injustice.
Ms. Maudie's house burning down, the trial of Tom Robinson, Boo stabbing Mr. Bob Ewell, Jem's arm breaking after the attack... Etc.
100
The story's main conflict that affects all of the characters
The trial of Tom Robinson
100
Who narrates the novel?
Scout (Jean Louise Finch)
100
What theme is introduced to the children as Tom Robinson is unjustly found guilty?
Jem and Scout learn that what is right and just does not always prevail and that people's prejudices (specifically racism) leads to the destruction of innocence. Includes themes of race and innocence.
200
The Finch's housekeeper and a female role model of Scout's
Who is Calpurnia?
200
The mockingbird
What is the titular symbol of innocence and harmlessness?
200
What is the secondary conflict (more central in the beginning)?
The children's fascination with Boo Radley.
200
What is the style of narration?
First person
200
Give one universal truth or theme from the novel, make it a statement specific enough to serve as a general thesis about the book.
:-)
300
Who is the man on trial for rape in the novel?
Who is Tom Robinson?
300
The mad dog
What is a symbol of obstacles, injustice, society, suspense, and powerlessness?
300
An example of conflict concerning the overcoming of prejudice
Scout's final encounter with Boo, attending church with Calpurnia, the town drunk actually drinking water, the jury's long deliberation (despite guilty verdict)
300
What is the tone in most of the novel?
Naive, ironic, humorous, factual, observant
300
What is Lee's universal truth as told through a skin analogy?
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”
400
The mean woman Scout was forced to read to as punishment, who later dies of drug overdose
Who is Mrs. Dubose?
400
The Radley House
What is the symbol of social conflicts and stigmas, mystery, powerful knowledge, awareness, fear, facades and masks?
400
What is the story of the "rape," as revealed in Mayella's testimony and Tom Robinson's defense?
Must include the following for full credit: Bob Ewell's sexual abuse of Mayella, the knowing consent of Mayella, the lack of consent of Tom, and Bob Ewell chasing Tom away.
400
Why does the narrator use so much imagery?
In order to show a child's observant, but not always comprehending, perspective, and to offer insight into the things a child notices rather than what an adult might. This childlike narration juxtaposed against the mature topics of racism, justice, death, gender roles, and prejudice creates the effect of a child in a cruel world, and calls into question today's society and its effects on our youth.
400
AP FREE RESPONSE SAMPLE: In some works of literature, childhood and adolescence are portrayed as times graced by innocence and a sense of wonder; in other works, they are depicted as times of tribulation and terror. Focusing on a single novel or play, explain how its representation of childhood or adolescence shapes the meaning of the work as a whole.
Give a tentative thesis and BROAD overview
500
DAILY DOUBLE! The name of the town's dog who Atticus was forced to shoot, whose name bears resemblance to another character's name?
Who is Tim Johnson?
500
The fire at Maudie's? Hint: flowers, and the snowman
The fire melted the snowman, which was made of mud underneath the layer of white snow, showing that racism isn't right as we are all the same underneath. The flowers she cared so deeply about and tended to every day of her life were destroyed instantly to no fault of her own. This is symbolic of the reputation Tom (and Atticus) lost.
500
Briefly summarize the novel in about 5 sentences.
The novel tells the story of the lives of Scout and her brother, Jem, children growing up in Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s. Along with their summer friend, Dill, the children become entranced with the idea of getting a glimpse of their reclusive and unseen neighbor, Boo Radley. Meanwhile, their attorney father, Atticus Finch, has decided to defend Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a local white woman, Mayella Ewell. The children get caught up in the trial, in which Tom is convicted and eventually killed trying to escape from prison. Jem and Scout become the targets of Bob Ewell, the father of Mayella, who tries to kill them one Halloween night on their way home from a school event, but Boo Radley--who the children have never actually seen--shows up to save them, killing Bob in the process.
500
What does dialogue reveal about about the character's status?
most of the characters have little education so they speak informally. Calpurnia talked with more polite and correct grammar and pronunciation when with the Finches versus with her other African American friends at church, showing the tie between race, social status, and speech. Scout's aunt chastises her for her behaviors, including improper language, showing the link between a superiority complex and language as well.
500
AP FREE RESPONSE SAMPLE: Many works of literature deal with political or social issues. Choose a novel or play that focuses on a political or social issue. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the author uses literary elements to explore this issue and explain how the issue contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.
Give a tentative thesis and BROAD overview
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