Time and Place

Name: ______Date: ______

BACKGROUND

Time and Place

The town of Maycomb, Alabama, the setting for the novel, is typical of southern towns in the 1930s. Its society reflects the strong class distinctions that were present in the Old South before the Civil War. Whites and blacks did not socialize, but there were different levels within black and white society. At the top, for example, were large landowners or educated professionals. The Finch family, for example, has connections to the land that go back more than a hundred years. Then there are middle-class citizens, such as Sheriff Tate and Mr. Underwood, the editor of the newspaper. Poor whites are represented by Scout’s classmate Walter Cunningham and the Ewell family. Equally poor is Tom Robinson, the farm worker who goes on trial. Yet another level of black society is represented by Calpurnia, the Finches’ maid, who has more formal education than many others. As you read, notice the social status of the characters. In particular, think about whether Atticus Finch exhibits attitudes that are typical or atypical of members of his social class as they are portrayed in the novel.

LITERARY DEVICES

Point of View:
Protagonist:
Antagonist:
Conflict:
Metaphors:
Symbols:
Themes:

ANTICIPATION GUIDE

Directions: Before reading To Kill a Mockingbird, read each of the following statements and mark on the line to the left of each statement: an “A” if you agree with the statement or a “D” if you disagree with the statement.

1. ______The court system upholds the words in the Preamble that state: “All men are created equal.”

2. ______Prejudice is a concern of the past that does not affect us now.

3. ______If you are innocent of a crime, you have no need to fear the judicial system.

4. ______You are innocent until proven guilty.

5. ______Certain people are biologically inferior to others.

6. ______It is okay to be prejudiced toward someone who is in a lower social class than you.

7. ______Kids often understand a prejudicial situation better than adults can.

8. ______You should always respect others, even if they treat you badly.

9. ______Sometimes the only way to resolve a conflict is through physical means.

10. ______It is perfectly acceptable to look down on others because they are not in the popular group at school.

FOCUS ACTIVITY

What do you think characterizes a person who has courage? What kinds of situations might call for courage?

Web It

Create a concept web for the word courage. In each of the boxes, list qualities that you associate with someone who shows courage. Discuss real-life situations you know of in which people have acted courageously.

Character Analysis

Chapters one through eleven introduce most of the characters in the novel. As you read this section, focus on the actions and words of each character. Write their names below. Then jot down in the charttwo or three personal qualities that are revealed by each character’s actions and words.

Dill: Scout and Jem’s best friend;
Visits in the summer
Qualities:
Wild imagination,
clownish, funny

Discussion Questions for Chapters 1-3

1. Why did Scout rub Walter Cunningham's nose in the dirt?

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2. What two mistakes did Miss Caroline make on the first day of school? What is problematic about what she says or does?

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3. Why didn't the Ewells have to go to school?

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Personal Response: What memories of your own childhood come to mind as you read about Scout’s experiences?

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Discussion Questions for Chapters 4-6

1. Why do Dill and Jem want to give Boo Radley a note? What does Atticus say when he finds out about their plan?

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2. Explain the social differences exposed through the students at school. What might Burris Ewell represent?

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3. How does Jem and Scout’s relationship progress/change?

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4. Reference the pants incident. What is Jem afraid of? Why does he insist on recovering his pants? What does this show about Jem’s maturity as a character?

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Discussion Questions for Chapters 7-8

1. What was the condition of Jem’s pants when he found them? What was his reaction? Who mended them? Why?

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2. After the fire is over, how does Miss Maudie feel about the destruction of her house? What does this tell you about her character and values?

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3. Why does Nathan Radley plug the hole in the tree? Why is Scout upset? Why is Jem moved to tears?

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What are your thoughts on Boo Radley? Having not met him, what can you infer about him? Is he a freak, a wacko, caring, sympathetic, or bland? Defend your answer.

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Discussion Questions for Chapter 9

1. What did Scout's Uncle Jack learn from Scout and Atticus?

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2. What is Atticus’ reasoning for defending Tom Robinson? What does he mean when he says, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win”?

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Discussion Questions for Chapters 10-11

1. What does Atticus mean when he says, “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird”? Predict how this idea will become a major theme in the novel.

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2. Describe the situation with the mad dog. How does this change the children’s perception of Atticus?

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3. What did Jem learn from his encounter with Mrs. Dubose and following her death?

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VOCABULARY – Chapters 1-11

1. Pursuit - the act of looking for or trying to find something

2. Incomprehensible - that cannot be understood

3. Inquisitive - seeking knowledge; inquiring

4. Quibble - a trivial or unimportant point of criticism, sometimes used to avoid a more important issue

5. Ramshackle - badly built or rundown; rickety

6. Malignant - disposed to cause harm, suffering, or distress deliberately; feeling or shadowing ill will or hatred

7. Hover - be in a fluttering, suspended, or lingering state

8. Baffle - frustrate by confusing or puzzling

9. Meditative - given to, characterized by, or indicative of meditation; contemplative

10. Perpetrate - commit esp. a crime, blunder, or other outrageous act

11. Ingenuous - not trying to hide one’s feelings or intentions; simple and artless

12. Diversion - something that takes somebody’s attention away from something else; change of purpose or direction; pastime

13. Guileless - free from guile; sincere; honest; straightforward; frank

14. Provocation - a provoking or something that provokes; the act of making someone angry or indignant

15. Evasion - avoidance of something unpleasant, especially a moral or legal obligation

16. Inconspicuous - not easily seen or noticed

17. Simultaneous - done or happening at the same time

18. Jubilant - showing great joy; exultant

19. Bedecked - to make something look pretty or festive, especially by decorating itwith wonderful ornaments; adorn, especially in a showy or gaudy manner

20. Undulate - have a wavy form or move in waves

Discussion Questions for Chapters 12-14

1. Discuss Jem as a 12 year old. How is he changing? How does this affect Scout?

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2. Reread the conclusion of Chapter 13. What is Atticus trying to convey to Jem and Scout? Why does he leave without communicating his point?

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3. Discuss the tensions that develop when Scout asks Atticus if she can visit Calpurnia’s home. Discuss Jem’s reaction.

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4. Explain the reasons for Dill running away. Compare his relationship with his parents to Scout’s relationship with Atticus and Cal. How does this contribute to Dill being a “mockingbird”?

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Discussion Questions for Chapters 15-16

1. Discuss the events that occur Sunday night before the trial. What was the “mob” trying to do? What stopped them? How is this related to a theme in the story?

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2. What was Mr. Underwood doing while this was going on? Why is it strange that he would do this? And why does he do this?

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Discussion Questions for Chapters 17-18

1. At the trial, why does Atticus keep asking if anyone called a doctor? What do people think of this?

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2. What are the flaws in Mayella’s testimony?

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3. When Mayella makes her final speech, what does she reveal about herself? What are her reasons for saying all of this?

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Personal Response: As you follow the action in the courtroom, which character do you empathize with the most? Least? Explain.

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Discussion Questions for Chapters 19-20

1. What does Tom Robinson’s presence on the stand say about him as a character/human/African American?

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2. What do we find out about Dolphus Raymond, and what does his avoidance of white society say about him? Is he a coward?

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3. Discuss Atticus’s final statement. What is the significance of his unbuttoning his vest and loosening his collar?

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VOCABULARY- Chapters 12-20

1. Frivolous - silly; not serious

2. Austere - stern and severe

3. Prerogative- exclusive right or privilege

4. Myopic - Myopia is an abnormal eye condition, often called nearsightedness.

Someone who is myopic cannot see objects clearly.

5. Taut - tightly stretched

6. Affliction –the cause of persistent distress or pain; great suffering

7. Venerable - impressive on account of age or historic associations

8. Uncouth- crude, unmannerly

9. Elucidate - explain

10. Eccentricities - oddities; unconventionalities

11. Acrimonious- sarcastic; bitter; nasty

12. Complacently - in a self-satisfied way

13. Mollified- soothed; calmed

14. Pilgrimage- in this instance, a long walk

15. Expunge- remove completely

16. Indicted - formally accused; charged

17. Temerity- foolish or rash boldness; To be cynical

18. Acquit- clear of a charge; find not guilty

19. Indignant -Feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.

20. Volition – will; the power of choosing or determining

Discussion Questions for Chapters 21-24

1. What is Jem’s reaction to the jury’s verdict? Why does he react this way?

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2. The day after the trail, why do people bring food to the Finch home?

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3. How does Atticus react to Bob Ewell’s insult? How do the children react to it?

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4. Discuss Aunt Alexandra’s missionary circle. What is the point of the meeting? What do the women talk about? What are their views of other cultures? Are they hypocritical?

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Discussion Questions for Chapters 25-27

1. Summarize the “roly-poly” bug incident. How does it reinforce a theme?

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2. Why is it significant that Mr. Underwood describes Tom’s death as “the senseless slaughter of songbirds” in his editorial?

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3. Because of the students’ current events assignments, Mrs. Gates discusses democracy and Hitler. What does she say about prejudice? Why is this ironic?

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4. Reread the paragraph in chapter 27 beginning “I think I understand…” Why does Attitcus believe that Bob Ewell acts so cruelly?

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Discussion Questions for Chapters 28-30

1. Just before the pageant, what upsets Scout about her costume? What literary device is at work here?

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2. Who comes to the children’s rescue at the end of chapter 28? How does Scout react when she finds out who he is?

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3. When Heck and Atticus argue on the front porch, what is it about? Why can’t Atticus “put two and two together” like he usually can?

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FOCUS ACTIVITY: The Trial

The outcome of the trial affects many of the characters in the novel. For some, it triggers strong feelingsor thoughtful reflections. For others, it leads to action. As you read, think about the effect of the trial’soutcome on different characters. Use the chart to identify each character and describe the effect that thetrial’s outcome has on each. Use as many ovals as you need.

VOCABULARY – Chapters 21-31

1. Cynical - a cynic is someone who often belittles or makes fun of someone else.

2. Heathen - unenlightened; without religion or morals

3. Wryly - humorously; slightly sarcastic

4. Brevity - shortness

5. Hypocrites - people who pretend to be something they are not

6. Veneer - attractive outer surface

7. Recluse - someone who stays away from society and the company of others

8. Repertoire - accomplishments; skills

9. Irascible – (of a person) easily made angry

10. Furtive- Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive

11. Reprimand - scold

12. Connived - secretly cooperated or agreed to

13. Railing - painful

14. Rout–an overwhelming defeat

15. acquiescence – a passive agreement without protest

16. Persevere - to persist in pursuing something in spite of obstacles or opposition.

17. Floundering– to make clumsy attempts to move or regain one’s balance

18. Gait- a person’s manner of walking

19. Sibilant- sounded with a hissing effect

20. Adjoin- be next to and joined with

Magic Squares

Directions: Select from the numbered statements the best match for each vocabulary word. Put the number in the appropriate square. The total sum of the numbers will be the same across each row and down each column. Find the Magic Number!

A / B / C / A. Prejudice
B. Courage
C. Racism
D. Education
E. Poverty
F. Innocence
G. Justice
H. Seclusion
I. Sorrow
D / E / F
G / H / I

Name: ______Date: ______

1. Mental Suffering caused by injury, loss, or despair.

2. The knowledge or skill developed by a learning process.

3. The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face fear or danger with self-possession, confidence, or resolution.

4. Lack of the means of providing material needs or comfort.

5. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.

6. The upholding of what is just, especially fair treatmentand due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law.

7. An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand orwithout knowledge or examination of the facts.

8. The state or quality of being alone or remote from others.

9. Freedom from sin, moral wrong, or guilt through lack of knowledge of evil.

Name: ______Date: ______

MAGIC NUMBER: