Characters
This character struggles to remember the exact details from the night of the rape. After thinking very hard, he is able to tell Atticus that Mayella had a black eye on her right side.
Who is Heck Tate?
What might Tom's trial and death symbolize? Please explain with at least one supporting detail.
What is racism and prejudice?
When the text goes back in time to explain the past
Flashback
The flashback gives a perspective of a child, but with the reflection of an adult.
Identify the speaker. Then, explain the meaning of the quotation. "Let the dead bury the dead, Mr. Finch. Let the dead bury the dead."
Heck Tate. Let this case end here, Mr. Finch. Bob Ewell is responsible for the death of Tom. Now, Bob Ewell is dead. It's time to let everything go.
How does Jem respond to the outcome of the trial?
He cries because he doesn't believe it's fair, and he loses all respect for the town and the people in it.
Boy who is dirty and rude on the first day of school
Who is Burris Ewell?
What might Boo's gifts to the children represent or symbolize? Remember, he gave them a broken pocket watch, string, two soap dolls, gum, and two lucky pennies.
What is friendship?
Giving something unhuman human qualities
Personification
"The chinaberry trees were malignant, hovering, alive."-page 74
"Well, it'd be sort of like shooting a mockingbird, wouldn't it?"
Scout Finch says this to Atticus at the end of the novel. She is talking about letting the town know that Boo Radley saved the children from Bob Ewell. It would destroy the life he created for himself, and he didn't do anything to deserve it. He should be happy and keep his life to himself.
Evaluate why a jury of white, male farmers negatively impacted Tom's trial.
They saw only his race, and to them, his race was an immediate sign of guilt.
This character has had many children with African American women in Maycomb County. Though he is white, he doesn't get along with the white members of the African American community. He pretends to be drunk to avoid their judgment.
Who is Mr. Dolphus Raymond?
What might the Ladies' Missionary Circle represent or symbolize? Remember, Aunt Alexandra was a member of this organization, and she invited them over for tea.
What is hypocrisy?
The beginning of a novel, in which we learn basic facts, is called its
Exposition
"Stand up, Miss Jean Louise. Your father's passing."
Reverend Sykes says this to Scout at the conclusion of the trial when Atticus is leaving the court room. He says this to her to suggest they must show respect to Atticus for supporting one of the important members of their community.
How does Atticus suggest Bob Ewell is the one who actually beats Mayella?
He demonstrates that Mayella was most likely hit by a left-handed person, since her right eye is bruised. He has Bob Ewell write to show that Bob is left-handed. Finally, Atticus suggests, in his closing statements, that Tom is not guilty, but someone in the courtroom is.
Crotchety old woman who breaks a morphine habit
Who is Mrs. Dubose?
What might Mrs. Dubose's last camellia to Jem represent or symbolize?
What is forgiveness?
Exaggeration for dramatic effect
Hyperbole
"Jem gave a reasonable description of Boo: Boo was about six-and-a-half feet tall judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that's why his hands were bloodstained-if you ate an animal raw, you could never wash the blood off. There was a long jagged scar that ran across his face; what teeth he had were yellow and rotten; his eyes popped, and he drooled most of the time." Pg 16
"Secretly, Miss finch, I'm not much of a drinker, but you see they could never, never understand that I live like I do because that's the way I want to live."
Dolphus Raymond says this to Scout in the court room after the trial. He implies that he doesn't drink but only pretends to. It is the only way people can make sense of his choices to associate with the black community rather than the white community.
Explain why Calpurnia uses dialect and talks "more like a black person" around Lula at First Purchase Church.
Calpurnia wouldn't be taken seriously if she talked the way she did at the Finches'. She is trying to fit in and show that she is still loyal to her people while defending herself, the Finches, and her choices.
"Proper" relative who tries to make a lady of Scout
Who is Alexandra?
What or who is the Gray Ghost supposed to symbolize?
Who is Boo Radley?
Leitmotifs
A recurrent theme throughout a musical or literary composition, associated with a particular person, idea, or situation.
"Most people are [nice], Scout, when you finally see them."
Atticus says this at the end of the novel to Scout, after she realizes Boo Radley was a nice man. He implies that what is often heard about other people is incorrect. That people are good more often than the negative rumors about them are true.
Describe why Tom Robinson's statement, "I felt bad for [Mayella]," makes everyone in the courtroom uncomfortable.
With this statement, Tom is implying that Mayella, a white woman, was in a worse situation than he was as a black man in the South. However, based on racial implications, this was not believed to be true. Tom was assumed, by the audience in the courtroom, to be challenging the structure and beliefs of the town.