Characters
Who is the narrator of To Kill a Mockingbird?
Scout Finch
What crime is Tom Robinson accused of?
Raping Mayella Ewell
Which group holds the most power in Maycomb?
The educated, white community
Which theme is shown when Scout and Jem begin to understand that people are judged unfairly because of their race or social status?
Prejudice
Which character would you use to discuss justice?
Atticus Finch
Which character defends Tom Robinson in court?
Atticus Finch
What brave action does Boo Radley take at the end of the novel?
He saves Scout and Jem from Bob Ewell’s attack.
How are African Americans positioned in Maycomb society?
Marginalised and discriminated against.
Which theme is shown through Atticus’s parenting of Scout and Jem?
Moral courage
What event sparks Scout and Jem’s fascination with Boo Radley?
Finding gifts in the knothole of the tree
Which two characters are symbolised by the mockingbird?
Tom Robinson and Boo Radley
How does Scout’s interaction with Boo Radley change her understanding of people?
She realises that people often misjudge others and that empathy is essential to understanding someone’s true character.
How are the Ewells viewed by the rest of Maycomb?
With disdain, but still above Black citizens.
Which theme is best shown through Boo Radley?
Prejudice
What does the mockingbird symbolise?
The mockingbird symbolises innocence and goodness. It represents those who do no harm but are still victimised, like Tom Robinson and Boo Radley.
How does Atticus challenge the values of Maycomb society?
He stands for justice and equality despite social pressure.
Why is the guilty verdict a turning point for Jem’s understanding of justice?
It shatters his belief that fairness will prevail.
How does Harper Lee show that social power is based more on race than morality?
Immoral white characters are believed over innocent Black characters.
What theme is represented by the mockingbird symbol?
Innocence / loss of innocence
How does Atticus use the children’s visit with Calpurnia to teach them about social perspective?
By showing them the differences in Black and white communities and the importance of respect and understanding.
How does Bob Ewell maintain power over others despite his low social status?
Through intimidation, racism, and false accusations.
Explain the reason for Tom Robinson’s death and what message it reinforces about injustice.
Tom Robinson dies while trying to escape from prison because he fears being trapped in a system that has already condemned him, despite being innocent. His death reinforces the message that racial injustice is pervasive in Maycomb: the legal system and society fail to protect Black individuals, and prejudice can be deadly. It shows that innocence and truth are often powerless against entrenched discrimination.
Explain how Maycomb’s social hierarchy is reinforced through the trial.
The verdict upholds racial superiority and preserves existing power structures.
How does Tom Robinson’s trial illustrate the connection between prejudice, injustice, and the loss of innocence?
The trial shows how racial prejudice corrupts justice, harms innocent people like Tom, and forces Scout and Jem to confront harsh realities, marking their loss of childhood innocence.
Explain how minor characters like Miss Maudie and Miss Caroline help reveal Maycomb’s social norms.
They show different attitudes to race, class, and gender, highlighting societal expectations and contradictions in Maycomb.