Prompt 1: Entry #1
In this chapter the narrator mentions several dates and ages, sporadically, not chronologically. Draw a time line including the events of this chapter and how old Scout is at each event.
Prompt 4: Entry #2
Who do you think left the gum and pennies in the tree? Provide textual evidence to support your claim.
In Chapter 4 of To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout finds a piece of gum in the oak tree in the Radley’s front yard (pg. 4). Later in the chapter, Scout and Jem find a box with two polished pennies in it (pg. 7). I think that Boo Radley is leaving the children presents. I think this because ______(pg. 8).
Prompt 6: Entry #3
“I admired my brother. Matches were dangerous, but cards were fatal” – pg. 73
Do some outside research to adequately explain what Scout means. How are cards more “dangerous” than matches in this instance?
To Kill A Mockingbird is set in Maycomb County, Alabama, which is in the middle of the Bible Belt. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the bible belt as, “an area chiefly in the southern United States whose inhabitants are believed to hold uncritical allegiance to the literal accuracy of the Bible; an area characterized by ardent religious fundamentalism”. This means that people in Maycomb County, and the character in To Kill A Mockingbird are devoutly religious and do not believe in gambling. The state of Alabama, along with our own state of Tennessee, still does not allow casinos to this day. Gambling was seen as wrong, according to the church, so Jem was smart to say they were playing with matches and not cards. In the quote, “Matches were dangerous, but cards were fatal”, Scout means that the punishment for gambling with cards would be greater than just playing poker. Cards had a social stigma since they are associated with gambling, and gambling is seen as wrong.
Prompt 9: Entry #4
“But I never figured out how Atticus knew I was listening, and it was not until many years later that I realized he wanted me to hear every word he said.” – pg. 117
Analyze this quote. Why was Atticus doing this? Why did he not just speak directly to Scout on the issue?
After Scout is sent to her room following her outburst towards her cousin at Christmas, Atticus is talking to Uncle Jack in the kitchen. Jack shares with Atticus what Scout says about the fight with ____ and Atticus replies with, “_____”. Scout is eavesdropping on their conversation and after Atticus finishes his piece, he says, “Go to bed, Scout” (pg. 70). Scout knew that Atticus had not seen her, so at first she wondered how he knew she was leaning around the stairs. Then, Scout wondered why he kept saying what he was saying to Jack if he knew Scout was there.
Scout is narrating the novel from her own point of view many years after this incident, so she has now had time to reflect on the happenings of her childhood. In her narration she says, “It was not until many years later that I realized he wanted me to hear every word he said” (pg. 117). Instead of telling Scout directly, Atticus thought it was more influential if Scout “accidentally” overheard his conversation with his brother.