To Kill a Mockingbird Flashcards
Name 3 reasons why the setting is significant to the plot
a. The time period was during the great depression, which is why farming was slow
b. The location was in the South, where discrimination was frequent.
c. There were many emotional and social problems including the great depression and the civil rights movement.
Why is the novel still relevant today?
a.We are still facing social problems due to race today in America. For example, “police brutality” and the Black Lives Matter movement. It also could serve as a history lesson, showing how Southern America used to be, and how it has improved.
Give two examples of the outcast being misunderstood
i. One outcast in this book in Walter Cunningham. His family was very poor, and they did not like people doing things for them unless they could repay them even more. When his teacher asks him where his lunch is, no one (except Scout) can understand why.
ii. Another outcast was Boo Radley. The children thought it was weird that he rarely ever came out of his house. There were many rumours about him, and he was misunderstood. He stayed inside because he did not want to see the bad in the world. He did not wanted to be influenced by it.
Give two examples of friendship
i. One example of friendship in this book was Dill and Scout. Scout and Jem met Dill one day, and they have been friends ever since.
ii. Another example of friendship in the book is Tom Robinson and Atticus. Tom is one of Atticus’s clients, but as the trial progresses, they become friends. Atticus knows that Tom did not do this, so he stands up for him.
Give two examples of social class prejudice
i. Jem kind of explained social class prejudice when he was explaining Mr. Dolphus Raymond’s “mixed” kids. He said that they really didn’t fit in anywhere since they were neither black nor white.
ii. Another example of this is in school when Walter Cunningham did no have lunch. The teacher was rude to him, because she expected everyone to have their lunch, even when some of them had no money.
Give two examples of justice
i. MOst of the examples of justice in the book are harsh. Francis gets justice when Scout beats him up for calling Atticus bad names. He gets what he deserved, in my opinion ;)
ii. Bob Ewell also gets served justice when he is killed while trying to kill Jem and Scout. Everyone knows that Bob Ewell is the one that beat Mayella.
What role does Mrs Dubose play in advancing the plot?
i.Mrs. Dubose was an old lady and a morphine addict. She was trying to break this addiction, and it made her grumpy. She would shout rude things at the children as they walked past. One day, Jem had enough and went crazy. He tore up her garden and her flowers. He had a price to pay: he had to read to Mrs. Dubose everyday. Each day, Jem noticed that she began to twitch, and when a clock began to sound, her maid would send them away quickly. Mrs. Dubose died the day after Jem stopped reading to her, because she was old and because of the addiction. SHe teaches real courage and allows Jem to mature.
What role does Miss Maudie play in advancing the plot?
i.Mrs. Maudie loved the finch kids. She made them pies and spent a lot of time with them. She teaches them about gardening and flowers. One day, her house burns down, and Atticus helps her. She does not seem too horrified about her house. She also becomes friends with Aunt Alexandria and plans things to do with the neighborhood women. SHe is independent minded, and is able to ignore prejudices and racism.
What role does Tim Johnson play is advancing the plot?
Tim Johnson is known as the Maycomb County dog. One day, the Finch kids notice him acting strange and walking very slow one day. They tell Calpurnia, and Calpurnia rushed them inside and tells everyone on the street to be alert. The sheriff and Atticus arrive on the scene, and Atticus shoots the dog. This is when his children find out about his shooting skills. They now see him as a younger person rather than an old guy.
What role does Dill play in advancing the plot?
i.Jem and Scout meet Dill one day while playing outside. From the moment they met, they have been best friends. The only problem is, he only comes for the summer. When summer is over, he must return home to his family. One day, he runs away from his home and escapes to the Finch household. Dill goes everywhere with Jem and Scout, even to the Tom Robinson Trial. He encourages the adventures with Boo.
What role does Dolphus Raymond play in advancing the plot?
Mr. Raymond is seen as weird. He has many mixed children with a black woman, but he is white. He only hangs out with black people, and it is rumoured he always drinks liquor out of a black bag, but he only drinks Coke. He comforts Dill and Scout when Dill gets upset because of the trial. He does not get upset about what people think about him
What role does Mrs. Merriweather play in advancing the plot?
i.Mrs. Merriweather is a very religious person. She comes to Mrs Maudie’s and Aunt Alexandria’s get-togethers. She is very intent on everyone being lady-like, especially Scout. Scout also starred in her play, where she was a ham.
Give five examples of irony in the novel.
- I. One example of irony is when Scout’s teacher tells her to tell Atticus to stop reading to her, when teachers usually enhance the learning experience.
- Another example of irony is the idea of the justice system. Tom Robinson’s case is obvious, he is innocent. However, he is convicted because of prejudices. Justice was not served, not even in the courtroom.
- Another example is when Scout learns that some of the scariest people are actually the best people. For example, Boo Radley has helped Scout many times. However, she thinks he is scary and murderous.
- Bob Ewell threatens to kill Atticus, but Bob is the one that ends up dying.
- Another example of irony is when Scout’s teacher is talking about a democracy, but she doesn’t see that irony in the fact that Tom Robinson is being convicted for no reason.
Provide three reasons why Tom’s trial is over before it is even started.
- Tom Robinson is black, and blacks are discriminated against and hated.
- Tom was accused by Bob Ewell, a white man. No one would acquit a black man over a white man’s accusations.
- The whole jury is from the same town and is completely white.
Identify and describe Calpurnia
a.Calpurnia was basically a mother to Scout and Jem, and was the Finch’s cook and maid. She was black, but was loved by the Finch family.
