Characters & Setting
The narrator of the story
Who is Scout Finch?
What event begins Scout’s first day of school conflict with her teacher, Miss Caroline?
Scout corrects Miss Caroline about Walter Cunningham’s finances; Miss Caroline punishes Scout for speaking up.
Identify one major theme introduced in Chapters 1–5.
Major theme: racial prejudice, moral growth, childhood innocence, empathy.
Who says, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view,” and in what context is it first said?
Atticus Finch says the empathy quote to Scout when teaching her to understand others.
Why do you think Scout gets into trouble on her first day of school? (Answer using textual evidence.)
Scout speaks up because she trusts her knowledge and is used to Atticus supporting learning at home; school methods conflict with her upbringing.
Name Atticus Finch’s two children and briefly describe each child’s temperament
Jem (Jeremy) Finch — older, more reflective, protective; Scout Finch — younger, curious, headstrong
Describe the encounter between Scout and Walter Cunningham at school and explain why it matters.
Scout fights Walter for getting her in trouble; Jem invites Walter to lunch, demonstrating social rules and empathy.
Explain how the mockingbird functions as a symbol (based on what you can infer by Chapter 15)
The mockingbird symbolizes innocence and harmlessness; harming one is morally wrong. (Introduced by Miss Maudie’s remark.)
Identify the speaker and meaning of the line: “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy.
Miss Maudie says the mockingbird line; she explains it to Scout after the children learn about mockingbirds.
What does Boo Radley’s rumored behavior reveal about how the community treats difference?
Boo’s rumored behavior shows fear, superstition, and how the town ostracizes those who are different.
What is Maycomb like (describe the town) and how does its setting influence the characters’ attitudes?
Maycomb is an old, slow, Southern town during the Great Depression; its conservatism and gossip shape characters’ views and resistance to change.
How do Scout, Jem, and Dill first try to make Boo Radley come outside? Name one of their schemes.
They leave notes on the Radley house, peep in windows, and try to put a note on Boo’s porch (or attempt the “Boo Radley game” acting out). (One scheme: delivering a note.)
How does prejudice toward social class or family reputation appear in the first 15 chapters? Give one example
Example: The Cunninghams’ pride in not taking charity; the Ewells’ reputation and treatment by others.
Find an example (chapters 1–15) of regional dialect or colloquial speech used in dialogue and explain its effect on character or setting.
Example: Calpurnia’s speech to the courthouse crowd or characters’ Southern colloquialisms (students should cite lines like “ain’t” or regional expressions).
Why does Atticus choose to remain calm when faced with criticism about defending Tom Robinson? What does this reveal about his character?
Atticus’s calmness comes from principle and upbringing; shows integrity and belief in justice beyond popularity.
Who are the Radley family, and why do the children make them the center of neighborhood myths?
The Radleys are a reclusive family; Boo (Arthur) is rumored to be dangerous; children invent stories because they cannot understand his isolation.
What happens at Miss Maudie’s house, and how do Scout and Jem respond?
Miss Maudie’s house burns down; the neighborhood helps; Miss Maudie remains optimistic, and the children learn about adult resilience.
Discuss how childhood innocence is portrayed through Jem and Scout’s actions and games
The children’s games and childish explanations of Boo Radley show innocence; their gradual awareness after events like the fire shows maturation.
Quote and explain a passage where Atticus gives advice about empathy or morality (paraphrasing is acceptable for the student to identify).
Example passage: Atticus’s calm explanation to Scout about fighting or his guidance about understanding people; teacher can cite his advice about climbing into someone’s skin and walking around in it.
How does Calpurnia function in the Finch household and what does her presence reveal about race/class lines in Maycomb?
Calpurnia acts as caretaker and disciplinarian; she bridges Black and white communities and reveals complexities of race/class roles
Explain the significance of the knothole in the Radley tree. Which character discovers the gifts and how do they react?
The knothole contains small gifts (gum, coins, carved figures). Scout and Jem (Jem notices first) find them and feel a mysterious connection to the anonymous giver.
Summarize the sequence of events that leads Atticus to take on Tom Robinson’s case and the community’s initial reaction.
Tom Robinson is accused; Atticus accepts the case based on principle; townspeople react with surprise and quietly disapprove, while the Black community expresses appreciation.
Analyze the theme of moral courage as it begins to appear. Which character demonstrates it and how?
Atticus shows moral courage by defending Tom despite social pressure; he believes in justice and empathy.
Select a brief passage (student should provide) in chapters 1–15 that uses figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification). Explain its effect on mood or character insight.
Any suitable figurative passage from chapters 1–15 (teacher to confirm student choice).
By chapter 15, what clues suggest that Boo Radley may be more complex than the town’s rumors suggest? Cite two textual signs.
Clues: gifts in the knothole, Boo’s polite actions (e.g., folding a blanket over Scout during the fire — later chapters confirm), and the way children notice subtle signs of care.