Preview

To Kill a Mockingbird Study Guide

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
5854 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
To Kill a Mockingbird Study Guide
Chapter 1
Pride in ancestry and “tradition”
“Being Southerners, it was a source of shame to some members of the family that we had no recorded ancestry on either side of the Battle of Hastings.” (Lee, 2)
Pride in conformity and distrust of those who are different
“It was customary for the men in the family to remain on Simon’s homestead, Finch’s Landing, and make their living from cotton.” (Lee, 4)
Awareness of difference in social classes
“..no hurry, for there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy, and nothing to buy it with…” (Lee, 6)
Narrow span of interest and almost no interest in the world outside of Maycomb
‘...nothing to see outside the boundaries of Maycomb County.” (Lee, 6)
Approximately when does the story begin? Show evidence to support your answer.
The story approximately begins in the 1930s, after the Great Depression hit Alabama. They are dealing with the struggles that come along with this serious financial strait.“There was no hurry, for there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy and no money to buy it with” (pg.6). This quote represents the setting and the way of life as the the stock market crash really affected their lifestyles.
What do we know for certain about Boo Radley?
The Radley residence is mysterious and generally feared by the public. It was mentioned that Radley was locked up as a teenager for once getting in trouble with police. Radley had apparently been in the house ever since the incident, although it is believed he sometimes comes out in the middle of the night and looks in people’s windows.
Why is Boo fascinating to the children?
Boo is fascinating to the children because he is mysterious and no one knows the complete underlying truth to the entire situation and event.

Chapter 2
Scout makes three mistakes during her first day at school. What are her mistakes, and why do they make Miss Caroline so angry?
She already knew how to read, she wrote a letter to Dill, and she tried to explain the ways of the Cunninghams.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    1. How well does Atticus feel he should defend Tom Robinson? Is it usual for (white) lawyers to do their best for black clients in Alabama at this time?…

    • 268 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    “There are a few crimes, the town is…..” (Page 4). Earlier to the murder of the clutter family, Holcomb is known for its innocence and a place where farmers can achieve their American dream through hard work.…

    • 945 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The author created Arthur “Boo” Radley and made Scout, the narrator, fear him. Boo was always a mysterious character throughout the novel. He was never seen and was often times feared by the neighborhood children. They would run by the Radley house every day in hopes to make it past without Boo coming out to get them. Boo was the character that was always a mystery, but in the end, surprised everyone.…

    • 297 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Boo Radley Book Report

    • 553 Words
    • 3 Pages

    I envision the kids not wanting to meet Boo because they are terrified of him. Stories about Boo include the stabbing of his family member, and him being in a gang. I imagine the children not wanting to talk to him because of his house and the instances surrounding the house. One instance of the house is the poisonous pecans on the side of his lawn. When playing ball, if the ball is hit in the Radley yard it is…

    • 553 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    4. Boo is fascinating to the children because he lives in a run-down, spooky house and there are many rumors about him. The kids have also never seen him, and the children are fascinated with pretending about Boo.…

    • 759 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Boo Radley Journal

    • 510 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Boo was locked up in the bottom of the courthouse for awhile because of this but after he came home no one ever saw him. Another reason the kids will never see him are the kids are too scared of him. Jem and Scout claim that there is a malevolent phantom living in the house otherwise known as Boo Radley. Apparently, one time Miss Stephanie Crawford woke up in the middle of the night and saw Boo Radley looking directly toward her through his window. Jem adds that Boo was scratching at their back screen late at night but was gone way before Atticus could catch him. Jem told Dill if he knocked on the Radley’s door he would definitely wind up dead. This started a chain of events where Dill dared Jem to go knock claiming that Jem was scared. Of course Jem wanted to prove to Dill he wasn’t scared of Boo Radley so, he ran through the yard slapped the house and came running back even faster. After he ran through the yard and back Scout and Dill followed right at his heels back home. They all were afraid of getting caught by Boo Radley so they ran all the way home. Jem, Scout, and Dill made…

    • 510 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    TKM Questions

    • 1017 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The children were fascinated with Boo Radley because everyone knew about Boo’s past, there were many rumors about him, and no one has seen him…

    • 1017 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    I can’t say I’m astonished by the State Board of Education’s decision to ban “To Kill a Mockingbird”. After all, what can you expect from such short-minded people? Such people that regrettably are put in the position to judge what books are moral and fit to be read by young adults. Is it the book’s display of what really happens in the world, or the book’s lessons of protecting innocence and standing up for what you see as right, that makes this book so disgraceful, that we must shelter young minds from?…

    • 256 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    1. “Nature sent him into the world strong and lusty, in a thriving condition, wearing his own hair on his head, the proper branches of this reasoning vegetable, until the axe of intemperance has lopped off his green boughs, and left him in a withered trunk;”…

    • 407 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Scout is set to start school and really does not want to go. Jem tells her to stay with the kids her age and not follow Jem and his friends. Scout is chastised for already being able to read, as her father and, Calpurnia the family cook, had introduced her to reading and writing at a very young age. Scout tries to offer Walter Cunningham money for him to buy lunch and he would not accept it. When she explained what happened to her teacher she was punished by the teacher.…

    • 2437 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Caroline whipped me. Why? Because she tried to give Walter Cunningham a quarter so he could buy lunch. EVERYONE knows the Cunninghams never take anything from anyone because they can’t pay back. I was so mad at him so I beat him up. I told Jem but he invited him to have lunch at our house. At first Walter doubted but Jem told him I was crazy. Who does he think he is? When we were eating Walter drowned his food in syrup. “I … asked what the sam hill he was doing.” (Lee 24). Atticus shook his head and Calpurnia called me to the kitchen. “She was furious, and when she was furious Calpurnia’s grammar became erratic.” (Lee 24). She gave me a lesson about what tolerance was but I’m still kinda…

    • 638 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Response: This highlights the ominous feel of the Radley house. It makes it feel spooky but yet gives a hint of light on what's to come and that there is a person living inside.…

    • 2164 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Kill A Mocking Bird Vocabulary Apothecary pg.3-All we had was Simon Finch, after trapping apothecary"¦-a pharmacist Imprudent pg.5-Were imprudent that S.O.B. had it coming to him"¦-showing no care, forethought, or judgment (formal) Optimism pg.6-But it was time of vague optimism"¦-the tendency to believe, expect, or hope that things will turn out well Impressionistic pg.18-"¦and the class received these impressionistic"¦-giving a broad picture or general idea rather than an exact description Sentimentality pg.19-"¦there was no sentimentality"¦-the tendency or practice of indulging in emotion or nostalgia Mortification pg.21-"¦and Miss Caroline subsequent mortification"¦-deep shame and humiliation Butter beam pg.23-Don't you like butter beams? "a type of dish Judiciously pg.31-"¦the common folk judiciously allowed"¦-showing wisdom, good sense, or discretion, often with the underlying aim of avoiding trouble or waste a little judicious pruning Disapprobation pg.31-""¦ with considerable disapprobation by"¦-the expression of moral or social disapproval (formal) Scuppernongs pg.42-"¦eat her scuppernongs if we didn't"¦-a cultivated variety of the muscadine grape that has sweet yellowish-green fruit Malignant pg.55-"¦the chimberry trees were malignant"¦-full of hate and showing a desire to harm others Perplexity pg.73- She must have seen my perplexity. "The nature of something that is disconcertingly complex Ingenuous pg.77-"¦and disliked my ingenuous diversions"¦ -showing innocence and a lack of worldly experience Inconspicuous pg.89-"¦he would not remain as inconspicuous as"¦-not easily seen or noticed Erratically pg.93-He walked erratically"¦-not predictable, regular, or consistent, especially in being likely to depart from or fall below expected standards at any time Myopic pg.130-"¦his guest to myopic drunkenness"¦-showing a lack of foresight or long-term planning Night bugs pg.151-"¦ the night bugs dancing"¦-? Subsequent pg.21-"¦and Miss Caroline subsequent…

    • 272 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    “In a mere blink after I first set foot upon this mysterious, new land called America, two years flew by. The fall of 1636 was fast approaching. Leaves turned bright hues of yellows and orange, though mostly brown, and there was a subtle bite that crisply lingered about the air at daybreak. It was only five o’clock when I slipped out of the house, as silent as the night that had come and gone. This was my thinking time. Usually, I walked around the estate, which lay just outside of Boston, and that day was no different. I most likely started my walk by reminiscing of my hometown in Mother England. Alford in Lincolnshire, England had been wonderfully picturesque and quaint. On July 20, 1591, I was baptized as Anne Marbury by my loving parents, Francis Marbury, a reverend, and Bridget Dryden, my wonderful mother. We moved around a lot, mostly because Father was banned from preaching at several churches due to his radical philosophies. In fact, he had been imprisoned and put under house arrest more than once (Reuben 2). I supposed the reflection of my childhood was brought about by the evening before. There had been the birth of the Atkins’ twin boys, Hugh and Silas, as well as the Doran’s, who had their firstborn, Humility (Barnett 1). Being one of the most trusted midwives in the area, of course I was there to help them (Reuben 2). Goody Atkins, after the successful delivery of two rosy…

    • 1633 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Frethorne, Richard. “Our Plantation Is Very Weak”: The Experiences of an Indentured Servant in Virginia, 1623…

    • 1863 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays