to kill a mocking bird 1-12 Flashcards
setting
- may comb alabama
- the great depression: 1932-1935
initial circumstances
scout retelling the events that led to hens broken arm
initiating incident begins when the children befriend a boy named dill and become fascinated with the radley mystery and decide to make boo come out
rising action
atticus takes time robinsons case and the kids continue with their fascination with boo
protagonist
scout
antagonist
maycombs prejudicial ways
3d and 2d characters
have good and bad qualities, goals and values change
- scout - her growth is shown
- jem
2d characters
also have good and bad qualities
-
1d characters
static, only have one or two striking qualities, usually all good or all bad
-bob ewell
foils
- character that provides contrast to the protagonist
- bob ewell to atticus
- aunt alex to calpurnia
character analysis
- says
- does
- others say
- thinking
- direct discription
- name
satire in formal education
- lee is satirizing formal education
- education truly comes from role models and experiences
- major theme: scouts growth relies on the contrast between scouts official classroom instruction and the education provided by her father
- stressing the importance of discovery, trial and error
prejudice
- unreasonable hostility toward a particular person
- it is a learned behaviour
- passed thru interaction with the world and being exposed to such views
types of prejudice
racial/cultural discrimination discrimination linked to appearance scapegoating judging based on economic religious discrimination ageism sexism
causes of prejudice
influence of society
upbringing
fear
scapegoat
boo radley defying the myth
- superstition around boo
- novels action is driven by the children’s attempt to make him come out
- once they realize he’s not as scary he fades into the background
things we learn about boo
- responsible for leaving the gifts for the children
- fascinated with the children
- concerned about scout and jems wellbeing
- atticus and maudie don’t believe in myths- most likely aren’t true
caste system
- townspeople with background and land (finches)
- hardworking white citizens (heck tate)
- white farmers (cunningham’s)
- white trash: refuse to work
- black community: hardworking but can’t find work
caste system is based on what
transmits prejudice because it’s division segregates individuals based on wealth, ethnicity and status
physical courage
willing oneself to physically overcome fear or danger
- atticus shoots the dog
- jem touches the radley house
- mr avery goes into maudies house
- mrs dubose beats her morphine addiction
moral courage
having the internal courage to do what is right in the face of adversity
- mrs dubose beats morphine addiction: dies free
- atticus defends tom robinson
- scout uses her head instead of fists
- calpurnia stands up for scout and jem at the church
mocking bird motif
- represents those victimized by prejudice (boo radley, tom robinson)
- they aren’t bound to the same rules to which others might blindly adhere
- want to play their own tune but are victimized for it
bird motif
- finch: ability to adapt, evolve and thrive in spite of their surroundings
- mockingbird: innocent and beauty
- crow: arrogant and destructive
tim johnson
- dog is a symbol of racism prevalent both inside and outside the novel
- if prejudice is not eliminated, it can be as dangerous as a rabid dog
- racism, similar to the growth of johnson grass can spread if left unchecked
camellias
- represent racism: jem simply cutting off the heads doesn’t resolve the issue as they can grow back and even thrive
- represent resiliency and courage: mrs dubose dying free
azaleas
-they can grow/ thrive in adverse or difficult conditions
-open their flowers all at once, symbolizing openness and fearlessness like maudie who speaks her mind and upholds what she believes to be true
i
scouts key learnings
- respect people no matter their difference
- not everyone in may comb has equal wealth
- see other people’s perspectives
- compromise
- don’t make fun of differences
- integrity
- violence isn’t the way
- courage comes in all shapes and forms
who is victimized by prejudice
scout: sexism tom robinson: racism mrs dubose: ageism walter: scapegoating boo: his decision to stay inside atticus: helping an innocent man ewells and cunningham’s: economic status
5 characteristics of maycomb
- thriving: slavery, decaying
- religious
- much gossip
- atticus is related by blood to many
- sleepy town
why is scout telling the story
- innocent eye perspective
- inside the characters thoughts
the mob
- men from the old serum who come to lynch tom robinson
- mr cunningham is one of the leaders
- scout disperses the men by placing mr cunningham in atticus’ shoes
difference between an individual and a mob
- man acts according to his values
- a mob acts according to the mob mentality. which is a collective set of values
what do we learn about dolphus
- considered town drunk, he is quite wealthy and owns much of the river bank
- fiancé commuted suicide, dolphus has been a drunk since
- prefers company of the black comm
- had a black girlfriend and mixed kids
- children are not accepted by any group
how is dolphus a mockingbird
- he doesn’t sympathize with the hatred of black people, he wants to live an innocent life with his family
- he plays drunk so that at least they have a reason that supports their prejudice to him
ewell home description
- playhouse of an insane child
- tin cans for shingles
- everyone fended for themselves
black community description
- cabins look neat and snug
- for ways glowing from fires and warmth
importance that atticus brings forth in his cross examination of heck rate and bob ewell
- Mayella was injured on the right side of her face which leads want to believe a left-handed person is responsible for her injuries
- no one called the dr
- bob is left handed
bob ewell compared to birds
rooster and crow
- he is aggressive, intrusive and destructive
- preys upon others
- many birds like a mockingbird are innocent but bob is not like that
poor white trash
- looked down by everyone
- lifestyle was squalid, physical appearance was dirty
- worthless
- atticus destroyed bobs last shred of credibility at that trial
are the missionary ladies sincere about supporting the black community
-no, they like to think they’re helping the world but ironically they turn their backs on the African Americans that are in need within their own community
-feel
inconvenienced by their help when they’re upset over the verdict pertaining to the Tom Robinson case. They believe that Tom and the black community are to blame and the white community should be the ones to forgive them
what is Atticus his explanation for Tom’s attempt at escape
Tom ran because he was sick of relying on white man’s chance, he ultimately lost hope. He knew he would never be set free so he took the first opportunity he had to try to escape
how does Macomb react to the news of Tom’s death
Tom‘s death was a hot topic of discussion for about two days and make home, and then most have forgotten all about it
Comment on the idea that Tom’s death was typical
- typical of a black man to have no plan for the future
- typical of a black man to just cut and run
three types of irony in ms gates
- situational: because one would think because of her culture and the discrimination that her people haven’t heard that she would be sympathetic towards all people however she believes this rule only applies to people who are white
- dramatic: scout over here is a Miss Gates hateful and resentful words toward the black community
- verbal: how usa is a democracy, doesn’t see how an innocent man is being procey ted
irony of education with ms gates
- there are no people better than the jews
- we don’t believe in persecuting anybody, persecution comes from people who are prejudice
how lee summarized on earlier events
- the victimization of racism, prejedice and gossip pertaining to:
- atticus; nigger lover, hated for trying to win
- boo: the mythical monster who becomes the hero
- tom: innocent man who is put to death for offering a helping hand
- dolphus: forced to hide the fact he chooses to live the way he wants
“lawyers i suppose were children once”
- scout gives the innocent eye of children by narrating the story
- we see her lose the sense of wonder when introduced to the real life and toms trial
- prejudice is a learned behaviour that u grow into
conclusion
- even handed justice when bob is killed for attacking innocence
- mockingbird theme comes in full circle with boo and the children growing up
- atticus is rounded as a good father: reads to scout and jem
- boo defies the towns prejudice and becomes the hero
scouts growth theme 2
- it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird
- importance of the individual
- types of people: love and hate
- scout sees the injustice in maycomb
- difference between a mob and a man
- there is some dignity in being a lady
where did scout learn the most
- role models and experiences
- through atticus’ many lessons
- seeing in her class, talking to dolphus and other kids and understanding people are treated poorly and don’t deserve it
- atticus doesn’t accept the caste system
- seeing courage in her life
prejudice bob
-bob ewell: hates the black community, lies to convict tom
p aunt alex
she is heavily concerned with the status and believes in the case system, she refuses to except or associate with those who are beneath her
p maycomb
they believe that Tom Robinson is guilty,
atticus is doing wrong defending Tom Robinson
they convicted and sentenced Tom to death
and gossip behind peoples back‘s and spread the untrue myth a Boo Radley
p ms gates
she ironically hates Hitler and does not believe in persecution of anyone white. However she believes that Tom’s conviction is just on the premise that it will put the blacks in their place once again near the bottom
p mayella
she had the truth to save herself the humility and anguish of her father‘s wrath and helps to convict the only man who was ever nice to her
p mrs dubose
she ridicules both Scout and Jem by saying they’re the disgrace of the family because their father is lawing for Tom Robinson
p lula
she is unkind and somewhat threatening to Calpurnia and the children at first purchase church
p mr gilmer
uses prejudice language towards Tom in the court room to strengthen his case by condescendingly referring to him as boy and as an animal
sees past atticus
-defends Tom Robinson regardless of the expected outcome
-treats all people with respect including the ewells and the Cunningham‘s
-set a positive example for his children
-
sees past judge taylor
- appoints Atticus knowing he has the moral integrity to fight for Tom Robinson
- wants Tom to have fair representation and the square deal in the trial
sees past miss maudie
- doesn’t believe in gossip and superstition
- refuses to watch the trial or see anyone persecuted without just cause
- reinforces atticus’ teaching and the mockingbird theme
sees past dolphus
lives the way he wants to and prefers the black community and has mixed children
-he sees the town of maycombs true colours
sees past link dead and braxton underwood
both defend Tom in their own way regardless of the repercussions
- Link speaks up in court and supports Helen once Tom is gone
- underwood writes the editorial advocating for Tom and criticizes maycombs miscarriage of justice
sees past the children
see racism for what it is both in the schoolyard and the quart room. All are deeply affected by others hatred and see that treating others unfairly as wrong
sees past heck tate
conceals the true hero/murderer to protect Arthur radley
- She’s Bob’s death as even had a justice
- he sees that persecuting an innocent as immoral
courage definition
- courage is not simply facing your fears but doing what is morally right
- moral: taking action for moral reasons despite the risk of consequences
- physical: overcoming the fear of bodily injury, while moral courage is the fear of emotional harm of rejection from others
courage in atticus
takes on a trial he knows he cannot win yet he defends Tom Robinson to the best of his ability
courage in jem and scout
touches the Radley house and goes back and retrieve his pants in spite of danger. He also recognizes the danger atticus is in at the jail house and refuses to leave his side.
-Scott learns to use her head instead of her fist and walked away from any altercations at school
courage in calpurnia
defence of the children at church and is responsible for the children for most of their upbringing
courage in link deas
stands up for Tom in the court room and defends Helen Robinson from the ewells abuse
he hires Negroes in spite of the business he might lose
miss dubose courage
she beats her morphine addiction before she dies
braxton courage
writes the editorial proclaiming the injustice in the trial and then Tom Robinson stats regardless of how many newspaper subscriptions he might lose
mockingbird theme
One to not victimize another-based on outward appearance, gossip or stereotype
-One understands that a mockingbird is hunted and killed simply because it resembles a crow however the bird portrays none of the crows pest like characteristics
irony example
situational: bob ewell wins but vows to get atticus if it takes the rest of his life, ironically he was the one that died
dramatic: boo is supposed to be a monster but ended as the hero
how does dolphus relate to the novel and life
- double life like calpurnia
- shows the compromise people make in order to live in communities they don’t fit into
secret courts of men’s hearts
- racial inequality
- how a white person felt about a black person in their heart even if they didn’t come right out and say they were prejudiced.
- Atticus presents an excellent defense for Tom Robinson, but he can’t win because Tom is black.
how atticus is a good father
- dearly loves his children
- offers them a role model of integrity, wisdom, trust and honesty
- gives them freedom but insist they work hard and take care of eachother
1: fairness (compromise)
2: disciplines
3: true role model
is heck right to spare Boo the publicity of an inquest
- yes, heck knows that boo is a mockingbird; many people believe he hurt many people and that he is this monster who is violent and dangerous
- he knows boo would not stand a chance in court
- the publicity that would follow would do more harm
- putting him in spotlight would shatter him
- boo left his safety to save the kids : moral courage
- doing what lee enforces; doing the right thing
- similar to shooting a mockingbird: convicted solely on the myth
why does heck insist that bob ewells death was self inflicted
- he tried to kill young children and paid for it with his life
- justice was served: he sent an innocent man to death and deservedly died aswell
what is interesting about Braxton Underwood‘s editorial
A man who knowingly despise the black community clearly saw the injustices that occurred in the trial
he writes about this injustice and relates to to the senseless killing of songbirds, the murder of innocents
