TKMB Flashcards
What does the Finch’s ownership of property indicate?
- Possibly owned slave linking to the theme of racism
- “It was customary for the man of the family to remain on Simon’s homestead Finch’s Landing” P4
What quotation introduces Maycomb Town?
“Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired town” P5
What quotation displays Maycomb as a tightly knit community?
“Atticus was related by blood or marriage to nearly every family in the town” P5
What evidence is there that Boo Radley intrigues the children?
- “Malevolent phantom” P10 has bias connotations
- “He went out at night when the moon was high” P10 has evil connotations and is related to fictional vampires/werewolves demonstrating the child’s perspective
- “Unwilling to discard their initial suspicions” P10 shows the prejudice against Boo
- “A negro would not pass the Radley place at night” P10, even they won’t, reflects the racist theme
Why does Boo Radley intrigue the children?
The rumours surrounding him draw them in with their desire to know the truth and prove themselves to be the bravest
What does Scout’s first day of school show?
The poor educational system and the stereotyping how different families are more respected than others
What are the key plot points of CP1?
- Lee introduces the Finch family by talking about Maycomb county and Finch’s Landing
- Boo intrigues the children
What is the key plot point of CP2?
Scout’s first day at school
How does Scout’s first day of school show the poor educational system?
- “Most of first grade had failed it last year” P18
- “She discovered that I was literate and looked at me with more than faint distaste” P19
- “When it finally occurred to the class that Miss Caroline had whipped me” P24 shows the punishment for literacy demonstrating the clash between Scout’s upbringing and the school’s expectations
How are the Ewells introduced?
“They come first day every year and then leave” P30 indicates prejudice
What does Atticus try to teach Scout on P33?
- To put herself in other people’s shoes in order to better understand their actions
- “Climb into his skin and walk around in it”
- Against prejudice
- Learning morals
What is the significance of Walter Cunningham not being able to pay Scout back for hosting him for dinner and leaving produce instead?
- Illustrates the poverty that the Cunningham’s experience and their difference to the wealth of Scout’s family
- Indicates inequality
What is the key plot point of CP4?
The gifts found in the knot-hole
What do the gifts demonstrate to the reader?
- Demonstrate to the reader qualities of kindness within Boo
- Enforce the idea that Boo is still alive
- Disprove the idea that everything from that tree is poisonous
- “Folks say he pizened ‘em and put ‘em over on the school side of the fence” P26 relates to Atticus’s comment about judging rumours
- “To the knot-hole where I had found the chewing gum, trying to make Jem believe I had found it there, and found myself pointing at another piece of tin-foil” P38
What are the key plot points of CP5?
- Miss Maudie thinks that Boo is more normal than the rumours say
- The children attempt to deliver a note to Boo
What is the significance of Miss Maudie thinking that Boo is more normal than rumours say?
- This displays how Miss Maudie is more accepting than others or analytical of the lack of evidence and truth surrounding Boo
- Miss Maudie, like Atticus, has a moral compass
- Miss Maudie’s sense of morality
- Similar to analysing the truth about Tom later
- “His name’s Arthur and he’s alive” P48
- “He gets more like Jack Finch every day” P48 Miss Maudie talking about Jem going mad
What does the children’s attempt to deliver a note to Boo show?
- Continued curiosity
- Beginning to doubt prior opinions of Boo showing learning
- “We are going to give a note to Boo Radley” P51
- “You’ve all gone crazy, he’ll kill us!” P52 shows prejudice against Boo and Scout’s younger perspective compare to Jem
What is the key plot point of CP6?
The children sneak into the Radley yard
How does CP6 develop the plot?
- Obsession with the truth
- “Dill and Jem were simply going to peep in the window with the loose shutter to see if they could get a look at Boo Radley” P57
- “You’re getting more like a girl everyday” P57 shows a changing Scout
- “With that, I had no option but to join them” P57 reaction to prejudiced profiling
What is the key plot point of CP7?
Jem’s pants are returned folded and stitched
What is the significance of the events of CP7?
- Creates further mystery through more unknowns and fuels desires to know the truth
- “When I went back, they were folded across the fence” P64
What is the key plot point of CP12?
The children visit Cal’s church
What does the contrast between First Purchase and the white’s church tell us?
“Called First Purchase because it was paid for from the first earning of freed slaves” P130 shows the theme of racism and the value of religion
How is Zeebo’s character developed in CP12?
- “It was Zeebo, the garbage collector” P132
- “Looking at Zeebo from the corners of his eyes. I didn’t believe it either, but we had both heard it” P134
- Contrast between Zeebo the garbage collecotr and Zeebo the singer
- Not judging a book by it’s cover
How is Calpurnia’s character developed in CP12?
“It’s the same God ain’t it?” P131 shows Cal’s moral compass
How is Scout’s character developed in CP12?
- “You ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillun here - they got their church and we got our’n” P131
- Scout experiences racism towards her
What are the key plot points of CP13?
- Aunt Alexandra arrives to influence Scout
- Atticus’s response to Aunt Alexandra
How is Aunt Alexandra first portayed?
- “Put my bag in the first bedroom, Calpurnia” P140 shows her racist attitudes
- “Some feminine influence” P140 shows the purpose of her visit
- “But I kept quite” P140 displays that Scout is threatened by her
- “Formidable” P141 portrays her unfriendly character
- “Which was a lie” P141 shows the threat of her
How is Atticus’s response to Aunt Alexandra indicated?
- “Not so much Atticus’s doing as hers” P142
- “‘Erm - h’rm,’ he said” P146 demonstrates Atticus’s distaste as it is different from the usual Atticus
- “Our father was actually fidgeting” P146
- “Your aunt has asked me to try and impress upon you and Jean Louise” P147 displays that aunt has power over Atticus
- The use of “Jean Louise” is unusual and formal address indicating the difference and detachment from personal ideals
- “This was not my father. My father never thought these thoughts. My father never spoke so. Aunt Alexandra had put him up to this somehow” P147 contrasts to normal Atticus
What are the key plot points of CP15?
- The children encounter the mob at the prison who have come to lynch Tom
- Atticus goes to protect Tom
How is Jem’s character developed in CP15?
- “Jem shook his head” P168
- Disobeys Atticus against group think
- Shows his maturity as he understands the situation
- Atticus’s morals are imposed, evidence for the theme of nurture
- Becoming an adult changing stereotypes
How is Scout’s character developed in CP15?
- “‘Don’t you touch him!’ I kicked the man swiftly” P168 protects Jem because he’s family
- “‘Hey, Mr Cunningham’” P169
- “‘Don’t you remember me, Mr Cunningham?’”
- “‘I go to school with Walter,’ I began again. ‘He’s your boy, ain’t he?” P169
- Lack of bias from a child’s perspective
- Innocence is a good quality
What is the significance of the quotation “Son, I said go home” P168?
Shows how Atticus cares for the children
How does Atticus protect Tom?
- Risks his life for Tom being a saviour figure and reinforcing sense of morals
- Vs mob/society/support of a gang
What are the key plot points of CP18?
- Mayella Ewell’s testimony
- Mayella’s motives are explored further
What quotation shows Mayella’s frail/vulnerable character?
“She sobbed” P198
What contradictions are there in Mayella’s testimony?
- “Come here and bust up this chifforobe” P199 contradicts Tom saying “way last spring” P210
- “I certainly did not” P203 ask Tom to come inside the fence
- “I mighta” P203
- “I went lots of times” P211
- “He blacked your left eyes with his right fist?” P206
- “You’re suddenly clear on this point” P206
What evidence is there of the physical impossibility of Tom’s offence?
- P199 list of verbs
- “How?” P205 raises tension
- “He’s crippled!” P205
What is the significance of the quotation “Take his sass” P200
- Offence at courtesy
- Father’s treatment
What quotation demonstrates Mayella’s lack of friends?
“Frowned as if puzzled. ‘Friends?’” P202
What is the significance of the quotation “He’s tollable, ‘cept when” P202?
- “He’s drinking?” P202
- Evasions
- “Looked at her father” P202
- “Sat up straight” P202 indicated father’s authority
- “Except when nothin’” P202
What evidence is there of Mayella’s self-doubt?
“No … yes I do, he hit me” P204 indicating lying due to the change of story
What is the significance of the no answer section on P207?
- “Turned his good right eye” symbolic of justice
- “Why didn’t the children hear you?” P207
- “They was always around” P211
- Reluctance to provide details
How is Mayella’s anxious/hot-headed character displayed?
- “Angry sobs” P207
- Offence at courtesy
- Sobbing
- Contrast to Tom’s testimony
- Outbursts
What are Mayella’s motives?
- Father beats her
- White so she can manipulate/exploit social/racial norms
- Family
How is family displayed as one of Mayella’s motives?
- Disjunct
- “Mayella Ewell must be the loneliest person in the world” P211 motive to lure Tom
- “She seemed not to know what he meant” P211 and has no friends
- “Sad as what Jem called a mixed child” P211
What are the key plot points of CP19?
- Tom’s character portrayed during his testimony
- Tom’s motive are also displayed
What traits of Tom’s are shown during his testimony?
- Compassionate
- Honest
- Independent
- Moral
How is Tom depicted as compassionate?
- “Felt sorry” P217
- Selfless
- Polite
- Empathetic
- Naïve
- “Ain’t no charge” P211
Which quotation demonstrates Tom’s honesty?
“I reckon so” P217
How is Tom depicted as independent?
- Hardworking
- Sacrificial doing jobs for Mayella and religious links
How are Tom’ morals displayed during his testimony?
- “Ever set foot on the Ewell property without an express invitation?” P212
- Respectable
- “I tried to ‘thout bein’ ugly to her” P215
- “Tom Robinson’s manners were as good as Atticus’s” P215
What are Tom’s motivations portrayed as in the trial scene?
- Black
- Religion see the children go to church scene
- Family
- Morals
How does being black affected Tom’s trial?
- “You were both convicted?” P210 on race
- “It weren’t safe for any - to be in a fix like that” P218
What is the key plot point of CP20?
Atticus delivers his closing speech
What does the quotation “As if they were folks” P224 add to Atticus’s speech?
- Simile
- Soft tone
- Sympathetic appeal
How is Atticus’s speech structured?
- Facts then emotional appeal
- “Not produced one iota of medical evidence” P224
How does Atticus appeal to the jury’s racial bias?
- “Broken a rigid and time honoured code of our society” P224
- Repetition of “code” adds emphasis
What is the significance of the quotation “Victim of cruel poverty and ignorance” P224?
- “She is white” P224
- Claims that Mayella is a victim
What is the symbolism of the left and right in the trial scene?
- “Signing with his left … his right hand” P225
- Left sinister/evil
- Right justice
- Tom good, Bob bad
- Contrast
What is the significance of the quotation “Feel sorry” P225?
Sarcastic tone
What tone does Atticus start with?
- Respectful
- Appeals to the jury
- “Gentlemen” P225
What is the significance of the quotation “Pity in my heart” P224?
- Appeals to the jury
- Juxtaposed to “Putting a man’s life at stake” P224
What is the significance of the quotation “Minds of their calibre” P225?
Atticus calls the jury superior
How does Atticus call the jury stupid if they disagree?
“Lie as black as” P225 - simile
How does Atticus appeal to national pride?
“Thomas Jefferson” P226
What is the significance of the quotation “Yankees” P226?
- Sense of pride that the South are better than the North which appeals to the jury
- Glorifies the court
What is the significance of the quotation “I’m no idealist” P227?
Glorifies the court
How does Atticus describe the court in his closing speech?
- Rule of 3
- Contrast of “Pauper the equal of the Rockefeller” P226
How does Atticus appeal to religion during his closing speech?
“In the name of God” P227
How does Atticus expose the stupidity of racism during his closing speech?
- Logic
- National pride
- Challenging the jury
What is the key plot point of CP21?
The delivery of the verdict
How does Jem face up to Reverend Sykes?
- Similar to Atticus in CP15
- “Don’t see how any jury could convict on what we heard” P230 indicates the young perspective
- “Now don’t you be so confident, Mr Jem, I ain’t ever seen any jury decide in favour of a coloured man over a white man” P230 displaying the racist theme and the contrast of adult vs child opinions
How is prejudice against women depicted in CP21?
“This ain’t a polite thing for little ladies to hear” P230
How is Jem’s coming of age indicated through character development?
“There are things you don’t understand” P232
What is the significance of the quotation “When the mockingbirds were still”?
- Shooting flashback CP10
- Symbolic of Tom’s innocence
- “The mockingbirds were silent” P105 symbolises the killing of something
What is the significance of the quotation “Watching all the time knowing that the gun was empty” P233?
- Foreshadowing verdict
- Relates to the shooting of the dog CP10
- Symbolic of the right eye of justice
- The attempt at justice by Atticus
- Can’t shoot/kill racism
How does Lee use Jem to teach Scout in CP21?
“His shoulders jerked as if each “guilty” was a separate stab between them” P233
How is Atticus displayed as respected in CP21?
“Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father’s passin’” P233
What is the significance of the quotation “His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd” P234?
- Contrast
- The crowd aren’t cheerful but don’t understand enormity
- Men cry too, not just for girls
- “Atticus’s eyes filled with tears. He did not speak for a moment” P235
- Atticus like Jem
- Both mentors
- Jem’s character development
What is the significance of the quote “The full meaning of the night’s events hit me and I began to cry” P172?
Scout realised the racism of the prison scene
What quotation shows how superficial religion and true faith are compared in CP22?
“We’re so rarely called upon to be Christians, but when we are, we’ve got men like Atticus to go for us” P237
What quotation symbolises the children’s development in CP22?
“It’s just a baby-step, but its a step” P238
How is Judge Taylor’s character developed in CP22?
“Did it ever strike you that Judge Taylor naming Atticus to defend that boy was no accident?” P238
When does Bob threaten Atticus?
“Spat in his face, and told him he’d get him if it took him the rest of his life” P239
What is the significance of the quotation “You might like to know that there was one fellow who took considerable wearing down - in the beginning he was rarin’ for an outright acquittal” P245?
- Cunningham
- Low social status
- Racial progress
- Even those in a low status can learn
What quotation in CP22 indicates the social, not just racial, prejudice?
“Finch women aren’t interested in that sort of people” P247
What is the significance of the quotation “That’s what I thought too” P251?
- Jem’s character development
- Harsh reality of life
What is the significance of the quotation “It’s because he wants to stay inside” P251?
- Boo by Jem
- Links story lines
- Lee doesn’t let us forget
- Most pessimistic for Jem in the book
- Foreshadowing the resolution of the Boo storyline
What are some key early developments in Scout’s character?
- Narrator
- Protagonist
- Educated by Atticus as a role model
- Calpurnia is substitute mother and “Tyrannical figure” (hyperbole)
- Breaks stereotypes
How does Scout break stereotypes?
- Masculine influence
- Absence of a mother figure
- Feminine
- Fights with Francis, Cecil and defends her father
What are key early developments in Jem’s character?
- Responsibility for Scout
- Role model for Scout
- Role modelled by Atticus
- Follows Atticus’s example
- Learns not to judge
- Remembers his mother
- Sensitive against masculine stereotypes
- Leadership
What evidence is there of Jem’s responsibility for Scout?
- Spits out chewing gum
- “Spit it out right now!” P37
- Forbids Scout from retrieving trousers
- “‘Then I’m going with you -‘ I choked. ‘No you ain’t’” P63
What is the significance of Jem remembering his mother?
- Reinforces superiority to Scout
- Reinforces emotional maturity
What are the key early developments in Boo/Arthur Radley’s character?
- Recluse
- Name “Boo” has ghostly and malicious connotations
- Gifts in the knot-hole CP4
- Does not adhere to social norms
What is the significance of the gifts in the knot-hole?
- Spitting out the gum indicates stereotypes around Boo
- Oak tree symbolises strength, reliability and faith
What are the key early developments in Atticus’s character?
- “Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit ‘em but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” P99
- “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what” P124 referring to the court scene
- Conversation with Miss Maudie
- Well respected
- Shooting of the dog CP10
- Acts as a mentor to Scout and Jem
- Their father
- Teaches them morals
- Defending Tom Robinson indicates his morals, righteousness and dislike by others
How does the conversation with Miss Maudie develop Atticus’s character?
- “I sure would. Atticus can’t do anything…” P100
- Little known about Atticus
- Secluded/ reserved talents
How does the shooting of the dog develop Atticus’s character?
- Symbolic for his courage
- More respected by the children
- They thought him dull
What is the key plot point of CP8?
Miss Maudie’s house catches fire in the night, so all the neighbours leave their houses to help
What is the key plot point of CP9?
- Scout fights people for insulting her father
- “After my bout with Cecil” P99
- “Francis Hancock, for example, knew that” P99
What is the key plot point of CP10?
- The sheriff asks Atticus to shoot the dog which he does in one shot
- “Heard them crack” P106 Atticus is without aid
- “You were a little to the right”P107 protective and symbolic of justice
What are the key plot points of CP11?
- Mrs Dubose insults Atticus
- Jem loses his temper and cuts off Mrs Dubose’s camelia flowers
- As a punishment he is forced by Atticus to read to her for a month
- Jem finds out that Mrs Dubose was battling a morphine addiction and the reading sessions served as a distraction for her
- She passes away, leaving Jem a box with a perfect camelia flower, which he throws into the fire
How does Mrs Dubose insult Atticus?
- “In the court-house lawing for -!” P112
- “Your father’s no better than the - and trash he works for!” P113
- Reflects the racist theme
What is the significance of the quotation “He had cut the tops off of every Camellia bush Mrs Dubose owned” P114?
It shows how Jem loses his temper
What quotation displays Jem’s punishment CP11?
“She wants me to her” P117
How does Jem find out that Mrs Dubose was suffering?
“Mrs Dubose was a morphine addict” P123
What are the key plot points of CP14?
- Aunt Alexandra learns that the children went to Cal’s church
- Aunt Alexandra suggests that Calpurnia should no longer work for the Finches
What happens when Aunt Alexandra finds out about the events of CP12?
- “You were all coming back from Calpurnia’s church that Sunday?” P149 portraying her racist attitudes
- “You may not” shows Aunt Alexandra’s power and authority
What quotation shows Atticus and Aunt Alexandra’s relationship CP14?
“Alexandra, Calpurnia’s not leaving this house until she wants to” P150 demonstrates that Atticus has some say
What is the key plot point of CP17?
Bob Ewell’s testimony
What happens during Bob Ewell’s testimony?
- “I seen that black - yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella” P190, inappropriate in court causing a break
- “Her right eye was blackened and she was mighty beat up” P194
- “You’re left handed, Mr Ewell” P196
What is the key plot point of CP24?
Atticus learns that Tom Robinson has been killed as he tried to escape prison
How does Atticus learn of Tom’s death?
- “Tom’s dead” P259
- “Seventeen bullet holes in him” P260 is unjust and reflects the racist theme
How do the others respond to the news of Tom’s death?
- “This is the last straw Atticus” P260 displaying Aunt Alexandra’s character development
- “Depends on how you look at it,’ he said. ‘What was one Negro, more or less among two hundred of ‘em” P260 demonstrates ideas of individuality and respect
What quotations show the effect of the court case on Atticus CP24?
- “It tears him to pieces” P260
- “What else do they want from him, Maudie, what else?” P260 conveys how Aunt Alexandra cares for Atticus
What are the key plot points of CP25?
- Atticus tells Helen of Tom’s death
- Maycomb reacts to Tom’s death
How does Atticus tell Helen of Tom’s death?
- “Took of his hat” P264 indicates respect towards black people displaying Atticus as different from ordinary people
- “She just fell down in the dirt” P264
- “Like you’d step on an ant” P265 simile conveys lack of individuality and insignificance based on race
How does Maycomb react to Tom’s death?
- “To Maycomb Tom’s death was typical. Typical of a - to cut and run. Typical of a - mentality to have no plan, no thought for the future” P265
- “He likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds” P265
- ”- always comes out in them” P265
What is the key plot point of CP26?
- Back at school, Scout is furious that Miss Gates preaches about the inhumanity of the Holocaust
- “Over here we don’t believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution comes from people who are prejudiced” P270 ironic
- “How can you hate Hitler so bad an’ then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home” P272
What is the key plot point of CP28?
Bob Ewell attacks the children
What is the significance of the attack being “near the big oak” P288?
- Symbolic of faith
- Links to Boo’s gifts
What is the significance of the quotation “Shuffle-foot” P288?
Lee uses obscure references
What quotation demonstrates that the children know that it is not Cecil again?
“No child’s steps” P288
How do we know that the threat is dangerous CP28?
“Run, Scout! Run! Run!” P288 for Jem is not normally anxious instead grown-up/man-like
What is the significance of the quotation “A dull crunching sound and Jem screamed” P289?
Foreshadowing Jem’s arm
How is Scouts inability in CP28 shown?
- “I could not keep my balance” P288 showing vulnerability
- Passive language conveying that Scout can’t act/choose
- No visual sensory description so the reader feels blind
- “Jem didn’t answer” P289 displaying her as helpless and alone
What is the significance of the quotation “His hand came down lightly on Jem’s hair” P306?
- Scout is able to see the true Boo indicating learning from Atticus’s teachings on assumptions and equality and how Boo is a hero in contrast to the beginning
- Boo is synonymous of the Mockingbird
What quotation portrays Boo’s difference CP31?
“I was beginning to learn his body English” P306
What quotation creates sympathy for Boo CP31?
“In the voice of a child” P306
What is the significance of the quotation “As any gentleman would do” P306?
Equality
What quotation shows the finality of Scout’s change?
“I never saw him again” P306
What is the significance of the quotation “He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a pair of good-luck pennies, and our lives” P307?
- Gravity of the situation
- References to the gifts
- Respect for Boo
What is the significance of the quotation “We never put back into the tree what we took out of it: we had given him nothing and it made me sad” P307?
- Emotional development
- Responsibility
- Equality
How is Scout’s new experience portrayed figuratively and literally CP31?
“I had never seen the neighbourhood from this angle” P307
What is a key quotation for the finality of the ending of the novel?
“Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough” P308
What are some key later developments in Jem’s character?
- Maturity by breaking the rules ethically during the Jail scene
- Pessimistic following the trial
What are some key later developments in Scout’s character?
- Loss of innocence due to Tom’s mistreatment
- Questions social norms
- Change of attitudes towards Boo
What are some key later developments in Atticus’s character?
- Rejects societal prejudice as he calls Tom “respectable” and visits his wife
- Empathetic helping Mr Cunningham despite lack of payment
- Tells the children not to fight
- Protector of Tom, of Boo and of values
What interaction shows Cal’s moral compass?
- “He ain’t company, Cal, he’s just a Cunningham” P27 conveys prejudice and Scout’s young views
- “Hush your mouth. Don’t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house’s yo’ comp’ny” P27 demonstrating Cal as a mentor figure
What is the significance of the quotation “In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins. They’re ugly, but those are the facts of life” P243?
Depiction of the courts as racist contrasts prior glorification
What is the significance of the quotation “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell something and don’t forget it, whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash” P243?
- Atticus teaching morality
- Against racism
- Against Aunt Alexandra’s ideas of family
How does Scout contrast prejudice in CP23?
“Naw, Jem, I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks” P250
How is leadership a key early development in Jem’s character?
- MC of Boo’s re-enactment
- Runs to the Radley porch
- Protects Scout
