Characters
She is a young girl who is trying to learn empathy.
Scout
She comes to stay with the Finch children during Tom Robinson’s trial.
Aunt Alexandra
How does Lula treat Jem and Scout when Calpurnia takes them to First Purchase Church?
She treats them poorly and discriminates against them.
Who said it's a sin to kill a mockingbird?
Atticus Finch
Who is the author of the novel?
He is accused of raping Mayella Ewell.
Tom Robinson
He is Tom Robinson's defense lawyer.
Atticus Finch
Why does First Purchase Church have few hymn books?
Why is it a sin to kill a mockingbird?
Mockingbirds don’t do anything, but make music. Mockingbirds symbolize innocence.
What is the setting of the novel?
It takes place in the town of Maycomb in Maycomb, Alabama, during the early 1930s (The Great Depression).
She takes care of Jem and Scout. She cooks for them and takes care of the Finch household.
Calpurnia
He pours molasses syrup all over his lunch at the Finch house.
Walter Cunningham Jr.
This guy has a relationship with an African American woman and has children with her.
According to Atticus, what does Mrs. Lafayette Dubose symbolize?
She symbolizes real courage as she weaned herself off her morphine addiction prior to passing away.
When was the book published and why is that significant?
It was published in 1960 during the Civil Rights Movement. It opened people’s eyes to racial discrimination.
He reads to Mrs. Lafayette Dubose as a punishment for ruining her camellias.
Jem
He treats his lawyer poorly, which shows he isn't a good man.
Mr. Bob Ewell
How is Atticus treated by other people for defending Tom Robinson at trial?
Some white people treat him with discrimination. For example, Mrs. Dubose says Atticus is "going against his raising." Cecil Jacobs (a classmate of Scout's) and Scout and Jem's cousin Francis call Atticus names. However, the African American community treats Atticus with respect because he's trying to help Tom. Atticus is pretty well respected by most in Maycomb.
How does Jem show maturity throughout the book so far?
Jem begins to read more, spends more time by himself, processes information independently before discussing it with others, etc. He also tries to redirect Scout and discipline her despite being just a few years older than her.
What is Calpurnia’s history with the Finch family?
Her relatives were once slaves to the Finches, she learned to read and write with help from the Bible and book Granddaddy Finch gave her, and now she is the Finches’ cook and helps take care of Jem and Scout.
She treats Jem and Scout with respect and bakes them individual cakes.
Miss Maudie Atkinson
He keeps to himself, and many people start rumors about him.
Boo Radley
How much African American blood did it take for someone to be discriminated against in Maycomb during the Great Depression?
What does Atticus try to teach Scout in the beginning of the book? Provide some examples of this.
He tries to teach her empathy. One example is when Scout tries to put Mr. Walter Cunningham in Atticus's shoes in front of the jail cell. She reminds Mr. Cunningham that he is a dad and Atticus is a dad as well. Another example is when Atticus tells Scout to think about how Miss Caroline feels being a new teacher in a new state and learning how to do her job. Calpurnia also talks to Scout about how she shouldn't judge Walter Cunningham Jr. for pouring molasses syrup all over his lunch. Calpurnia points out that Walter doesn't have that at home.
What two reasons does Aunt Alexandra come to stay with Jem and Scout?
She is to help Calpurnia look after them while Atticus is defending Tom Robinson. She is also there to provide Scout with a feminine influence/mother figure.