Characters
An intelligent, curious, and sometimes hot-headed young girl. Her development throughout the novel includes learning about the complexities of justice, race, and morality in Maycomb.
Scout Finch
How is courage defined in the novel? Give an example of both physical courage and moral courage.
Moral: Scout standing up for what is right
A symbol of innocence and goodness, representing characters who are harmed or destroyed by the prejudice or evil of others. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are examples of this. This is also why the book title is significant.
Describe the children's fascination with Boo Radley.
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.
Who attacks Scout and Jem?
Bob Ewell
Scout’s older brother. He matures throughout the novel, growing disillusioned with the idea of justice as he witnesses the racism and prejudice in the town. He also learns the complexities of adulthood, particularly with the trial of Tom Robinson.
Jem Finch
Why does Atticus defend Tom Robinson?
To uphold justice and stand up for what is right.
Courage in pain or adversity. Many characters in the novel, especially Atticus, demonstrate this in the face of hostility and injustice.
Fortitude
Describe Tom Robinson's trial.
Tom Robinson, a black man, is accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman. Atticus Finch is appointed as his defense lawyer. The trial reveals the racial prejudices of the town and the flaws in the justice system.
The Finch family’s black housekeeper and caretaker. She plays a significant role in raising Scout and Jem, teaching them important lessons about race, class, and morality, especially in her role as a mother figure and through her example at church.
Calpurnia
Scout and Jem’s father, and a lawyer in Maycomb. He serves as a moral pillar of the novel, representing justice, empathy, and integrity. He defends Tom Robinson despite knowing the town's prejudices will work against him.
Atticus Finch
What moral lessons does Atticus teach Scout and Jem throughout the novel?
To understand the importance of empathy by "walking in others' shoes."
The separation of people, especially based on race, in public places. Maycomb during the 1930s is an example of this, both socially and legally.
Segregation
Describe how Atticus defends Tom Robinson.
During the trial, Atticus makes a compelling argument that the evidence does not support the accusation and that Mayella’s father, Bob Ewell, may be responsible for the injuries. Despite the evidence, Tom Robinson is convicted due to racial prejudice.
What is Boo Radley's real name?
Arthur Radley
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.
Mayella Ewell
How do Tom Robinson and Boo Radley embody the qualities of a mockingbird?
They show the destruction of innocence.
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.
Empathy
Describe how Boo saves the children.
In the final chapters, Bob Ewell attacks Scout and Jem, but Boo Radley comes to their rescue, saving them from harm. This act of bravery reveals Boo’s true character and the importance of seeing people beyond their reputations.
Describe Jem and Scout's growth.
Throughout the trial and its aftermath, Scout and 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.
A mysterious and reclusive man who is initially feared by Scout and Jem. Throughout the novel, he evolves from a figure of local superstition to a compassionate, protective figure who ultimately saves Scout and Jem from Bob Ewell’s attack.
Boo Radley
What does the trial of Tom Robinson symbolize about the racial divide in Maycomb? How does the town's reaction to the trial remain the deeply ingrained racism of the time?
The legal system is flawed, and it shows the racial prejudice and social inequality influences both the outcome of the trial and the town's behavior.
A story with a hidden meaning, often moral or political. To Kill a Mockingbird serves as this for racial inequality and the moral challenges of doing what is right.
Allegory
Describe how Scout understands Boo.
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 Jem all along. She stands on Boo’s porch, symbolizing her growth and understanding.
How many times was Tom Robinson shot?
17 times