To Kill a Mockingbird Themes

Chapters 17-23

Part I:

Each group will be assigned one chapter. Based on the themes (listed below) chosen earlier in the unit, you will re-read through the chapter in search of quotes that best fit with each theme. You do not yet need to explain HOW the quote relates to the theme, just document the quote and page numbers (please note page numbers for both the purple and brown books)

Subject: Racial Prejudice BLUE

Theme: Despite the fact that racism is alive an well in Maycomb County, it is unnecessary and hurtful.

Subject: Understanding Others ORANGE

Theme: One must stand in another’s shoes to best understand where that person is coming from.

Subject: Justice and the Law PURPLE

Theme: All men should be treated equally in a court of law.

Subject: Influence of Culture GREEN

Theme: The culture in which a child grows up in, influences who he becomes as an adult.

Subject: Parents and Children BLACK

Theme: It is important for parents to have open and honest relationships with their children.

Part II:

Each person in the class must choose THREE quotes provided by the groups. After choosing these quotes, you need to explain HOW the quote builds on the theme. Paragraphs should do the following:

-Provide context so the reader understands background information related to the quote.

-Explain the quote in the writer’s own words

-Explain WHY Harper Lee included this example in the text and HOW the example builds on the theme. You may use the sentence stem… “In providing this example, Harper Lee wants the readers to learn….”

To Kill a Mockingbird Themes

Chapters 17-23

Part I:

Subject: Racial Prejudice BLUE

Theme: Despite the fact that racism is alive an well in Maycomb County, it is unnecessary and hurtful.

Subject: Understanding Others ORANGE

Theme: One must stand in another’s shoes to best understand where that person is coming from.

Subject: Justice and the Law PURPLE

Theme: All men should be treated equally in a court of law.

Subject: Influence of Culture GREEN

Theme: The culture in which a child grows up in, influences who he becomes as an adult.

Subject: Parents and Children BLACK

Theme: It is important for parents to have open and honest relationships with their children.

Part II:

Each person in the class must choose THREE quotes provided by the groups. After choosing these quotes, you need to explain HOW the quote builds on the theme. Paragraphs should do the following:

-Provide context so the reader understands background information related to the quote.

-Explain the quote in the writer’s own words

Understanding and Analyzing Themes

Standards: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details.

Level / Examples Provided / Understanding of Theme and Author’s Intent
Distinguished 18-20 pts / appropriate examples are given, page numbers cited or examples are paraphrased accurately and clearly / shows a complex understanding of the theme how the theme is developed and links to central events in the text, synthesizes examples provided fluidly into analysis of theme
Proficient 17 pts / appropriate examples are given, page numbers cited or examples are paraphrased accurately and clearly / shows a clear understanding of the theme and how the theme is developed and links to the central events in the text, examples are synthesized into analysis although not as fluidly as a distinguished writer
Basic 15-16 pts / appropriate examples are given, page numbers cited or examples are paraphrased although the paraphrasing is generalized / shows basic understanding of author’s purpose and how examples link to the theme, writer may miss some connections and analysis may be brief or superficial
Developing 12-14 pts / examples are given but page numbers are not cited, examples may not directly relate to the theme discussed and paraphrasing may be inaccurate / Analysis does not show an understanding of the theme and how the theme connects to the example provided, writers claims may represent a misread
*incomplete assignments will not be placed in one of the levels above and will need to be redone for credit.

Understanding and Analyzing Themes