Literary Basics
This character is accused of raping Mayella Ewell.
Who is Tom Robinson?
The setting of the novel is primarily in this small town in Alabama.
What is Maycomb?
This character represents the loss of innocence in the novel as they begin to understand the complexities of human nature.
Who is Scout Finch?
This character, who is a friend of Scout and Jem, comes to town each summer and plays a key role in their adventures.
Who is Dill Harris?
"it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird." What does this metaphor suggest about Atticus' view on morality and justice?
What is that innocence should be protected, and that it is wrong to harm those who do no harm to others?
The metaphor of the "mockingbird" suggests that Atticus believes in protecting the vulnerable and innocent, like Tom Robinson and Boo Radley, who are wronged by society despite their goodness.
The novel’s narrative point of view is primarily told from Scout’s perspective. What type of narrative point of view is this?
What is first-person narration?
This character teaches Scout the importance of standing in another person's shoes before judging them.
Who is Atticus Finch?
The mockingbird symbolizes this concept in the novel.
What is innocence or goodness?
This character's actions cause Jem to change his perspective on the justice system and human nature.
Who is Bob Ewell?
at the beginning of the novel, this character is described as a "sin to kill a mockingbird" because he has never harmed anyone. By the end of the novel, we understand the deeper significance of the metaphor.
Who is Tom Robinson?
This event in the novel marks the first time Scout and Jem witness their father's courage in standing up for what is right, even in the face of danger. What event is this
What is Atticus standing alone outside the jailhouse to protect Tom Robinson from the mob?
Calpurnia takes Scout and Jem to this place to show them how people live in the black community.
What is First Purchase Church?
This symbol in the novel represents racial injustice and societal failure.
What is the trial of Tom Robinson?
This character is Calpurnia’s counterpart in the novel and serves as a key figure in teaching Scout about prejudice and class distinctions.
Who is Miss Maudie?
The tension between what the characters know and what the audience understands about the injustice in Maycomb is central to the novel. Which literary device, often used to highlight these contradictions, is prominent in the trial of Tom Robinson?
situational irony
The novel takes place during this specific time period in U.S. history.
What is the 1930s, during the Great Depression?
Scout refers to this character as her "steady" throughout the novel. This character teaches Scout about what it means to be a lady.
Who is Aunt Alexandra?
What does the mad dog symbolize?
the moral decay of society in Maycomb
This character is the mysterious neighbor who the children are curious about but eventually reveals himself as a protector.
Who is Boo Radley?
This motif is used throughout the novel to highlight the difference between appearance and reality, particularly in the case of Boo Radley.
What is the motif of the "mockingbird" (or misunderstanding or perception vs. reality)?
This pivotal moment in the novel reveals the true nature of the Ewell family and marks a shift in the narrative’s focus on innocence and evil. What event is this?
What is when Bob Ewell attacks Jem and Scout, prompting Boo Radley to come to their rescue?
This event highlights the true nature of Boo Radley, showing that he is not the monster the children imagined. What is this event?
What is when Boo Radley saves Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell’s attack, revealing his protective and compassionate character?
The motif of this character’s house burning down symbolizes the destruction of innocence and the loss of a perfect world, reflected in the novel’s darker themes.
Who is Miss Maudie?
The mob confronts Atticus outside the jail, but Scout steps forward and does this to defuse the situation.
What is talk to Mr. Cunningham?
This literary technique is used in To Kill a Mockingbird when the reader knows Tom Robinson is innocent, but the jury convicts him anyway. What is this technique called, and how does it enhance the novel's themes?
What is dramatic irony?
Dramatic irony highlights the racial prejudice in Maycomb, as the reader understands the truth of Tom Robinson's innocence, but the jury convicts him due to their biases, showing the deep flaws in the justice system.