Name that character!
Fill in the blank!
What the heck does that mean part 1?
What the heck does that mean part 2?
Explain that theme!
100
Takes the stand but says she is afraid of Atticus and acts defiant toward him.
Mayella Ewell
100
School begins again. Scout reminisces on her fascination with ____ and regrets their actions, although she would still like to meet him someday.
Boo
100
expunge
completely erase
100
enunciated
spoken aloud clearly
100
the mockingbird
When Scout and Jem receive airguns for Christmas, Atticus tells them that although he would prefer that they practice their shooting with tin cans, if they must shoot at living things, they must never shoot at a certain species of bird. Atticus explains that it is a sin to kill these birds. The theme continues throughout the book. Miss Maudie explains why Atticus is correct – these birds never do anyone any harm, and are not pests in any way. All they do is sing beautifully and live peacefully. Therefore, it is a sin to kill them. The bird comes to represent true goodness and purity. Tom Robinson is one example of a human version of this bird. He stands accused of raping and beating Mayella Ewell, but is innocent of the charges.
200
His right arm is 12 inches shorter than his left; it is utterly useless.
Tom Robinson
200
On Halloween night after the pageant, _________ and _________ are attacked on their walk home, and one of them is knocked unconscious.
Jem and Scout
200
contraband
forbidden goods or objects
200
credibility
believability
200
education
Scout is ahead of her classmates because Atticus has taught her to read and write, and Calpurnia has even taught her script. However, once her teacher discovers this, she punishes Scout and tells her not to learn anything else at home, because her father does not know how to teach her properly. This is the first clear conflict between institution and home.
300
Atticus tells Jem that one man on the jury, kin to the ____________s, wanted to acquit Tom, and that speaks well for the future. Scout wants to respond by befriending Walter.
Cunningham
300
During Current Events period in class, ______ tells about Hitler persecuting the Jews. Scout’s teacher, Miss Gates, says it’s unfathomable why Hitler would do that. Scout is bothered because she heard Miss Gates say blacks were getting above themselves on the day of the trial; she can’t reconcile why it’s wrong to hate Jews but okay to hate blacks according to most people in Maycomb.
Cecil
300
acquit
to clear of all charges
300
persecuting
oppressing or harassing
300
racism
During the Depression era, blacks were still highly subjugated members of society. Blacks were not permitted to commingle with whites in public settings, as exemplified in the courthouse physical separation of races and in the clearly distinct black and white areas of town. Moreover, things like intermarriage were almost unheard of, and sorely looked down upon.
400
Calpurnia brings a note saying the children are missing, but ________ points out their location in the balcony. Atticus demands the kids go home.
Mr. Underwood
400
Scout learns what happened at the Robinsons because Jem and Dill met Atticus’ car and went with him. Helen faints. Calpurnia stays with her while Atticus returns home with the boys. Maycomb shows interest for two days. Mr. ________ writes a scathing editorial equating Tom’s death with killing songbirds.
Underwood
400
notoriety
being famous for doing something bad
400
mused
concentrated on one’s own thoughts and feelings
400
good and evil
To Kill a Mockingbird is an exploration of human morality, and presents a constant conversation regarding the inherent goodness or evilness of people. Atticus, father of Scout and Jem, also plays the role of teacher, for his children and his town. Atticus believes that people usually contain aspects of both traits, but that good will usually prevail.
500
Scout and Dill learn that ___________ is not a drunk; he simply pretends so that people have an excuse for his lifestyle.
Dolphus Raymond
500
Aunt Alexandra is hosting the missionary circle where Mrs. _______ speaks on the plight of tribal peoples. Scout is forced to join them during the refreshment period where she hears a lot of hypocritical statements from the ladies—i.e., they’re willing to help people far away but not in their own town or country.
Merriweather
500
squalid
dirty and filthy, usually due to poverty
500
connived
schemed or plotted
500
perspective
Throughout the novel, Atticus urges his children to try to step into other people's shoes to understand how they see the world. Whenever Scout doesn't understand Jem, Atticus encourages her to try to understand how he might be feeling. Usually, Scout finds this advice helpful, and her attempts to gain insight into other people's views on life and the world broaden her moral education and social understanding. When Mrs. Dubose, the mean old woman who lives down the street from the Finch family yells insults at Jem and Scout on her way to town, Jem reacts by returning and cutting up all the flowers in her front yard. His punishment is to read to Mrs. Dubose for a specified time period every day. He complains to Atticus that she is an awful woman, but Atticus tells Jem and Scout to try to understand Mrs. Dubose's point of view.
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