Main Characters by Description
Serves as the story's narrator and learns how to 'walk in other peoples' shoes'
Scout
Represents the innocent victims of a society ("its a sin to kill a ___________")
Mockingbird
"Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough."
Loss of Innocence/Coming of Age
The time, place, and/or atmosphere of a story
Learns the true nature of Maycomb through the conviction of Tom Robinson; has his arm broken by Bob Ewell
Jem
Represents a child's ability to see flaws in society, but their inability to change anything
Scout's Baton
"A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up. I am confident that you gentlemen will review without passion the evidence you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this defendant to his family."
A person's right to justice
an overarching idea in a text that is often used to make commentary on the topics of the novel
Theme
Believes a court is the only way for society to achieve equality
Atticus
Represents the divide between home and society
Front porches
It was Jem’s turn to cry. His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd. “It ain’t right,” he muttered, all the way to the corner of the square where we found Atticus waiting. Atticus was standing under the street light looking as though nothing had happened: his vest was buttoned, his collar and tie were neatly in place, his watch-chain glistened, he was his impassive self again.
“It ain’t right, Atticus,” said Jem.
“No son, it’s not right.”
The refusal of society to change
The overall message of a text; all uses of literary devices contribute to this
Author purpose
Is the neighborhood recluse; subject of much rumor; was abused as a child
Boo Radley
A person who represents the ability for people to change their minds about something
Boo Radley
Inside the house lived a malevolent phantom. People said he existed, but Jem and I had never seen him. People said he went out at night when the moon was down, and peeped in windows. When people’s azaleas froze in a cold snap, it was because he had breathed on them. Any stealthy small crimes committed in Maycomb were his work.
an object, action, place, or being that is present in a story and suggests an abstract idea or concept
Symbol
Is a "victim of cruel poverty", accuses Tom Robinson of rape
Mayella Ewell
Represents Maycomb's 'usual disease'; Atticus is the one uniquely qualified to deal with it
Tim Johnson
When she squinted down at me the tiny lines around her eyes deepened. “There’s some folks who don’t eat like us,” she whispered fiercely, “but you ain’t called on to contradict ‘em at the table when they don’t. [Walter Cunningham is] yo’ comp’ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear?”
Perspective and Prejudice
Rhetoric