- To Kill A Mockingbird (Analysis) Flashcards
Analysis ‘so vicious’ (Dubose)
- Judgmental
- Bullying is pleasure/distraction
- Feral language – lacking humane/empathetic qualities
Analysis ‘CSA pistol’ (Dubose)
- Prejudiced, discriminatory
- Inherent SOUTHERN ideology, cannot move past outdated notions of SLAVERY/SEGREGATION
- Only alive because of black maid
- Unafraid to harm, physical/emotional
Analysis ‘you should be in a dress and camisole young lady!’ (Dubose)
- Contextual GENDER stereotypes, TOMBOY
- Lack of opinion, aestheticism
- HYPOCRISY, ladyship
Analysis ‘family’s moral degeneration’ (Dubose)
- Atticus is very moral, irony
- Societal pressure?
- Attacks Atticus’ ideas of tradition/PARENTHOOD
Analysis “like some viscous substance” “oppressive odour” (Dubose)
- Internal anger/dormant bitterness
- DEPRESSION, poor quality housing
- Reader understands bitterness?
Analysis “cords of saliva” (Dubose)
- Morphine addiction
- SOUTHERN LADY’S DRUG
- Can only control mentality/words
Analysis ‘I saw him fingering the petals’ (Dubose)
- Evergreen = ever-presence, dried-up fruit = inversion
- Representative of Jem’s movement towards adulthood, BILDUNGSROMAN
- Tenderness, reflective, evaluative stage
- Symbol of humanity, passing bravery onto Jem, peaceful colour (reconciliatory?)
Analysis “roots” (Dubose)
- Symbolises racism/prejudice, white flower = WHITE SUPREMACY
- Represent the deep roots/ingrained ideology of racism in Southern States, COLONIALISM
- Only kindness and compassion can uproot prejudice
Analysis “free” “as mountain air” “nothing and no one” (Dubose)
- Takes her death for children to understand, too late
- Climbing mountains, laborious but liberating to reach the top
- New beginning in heaven, RELIGION, above everything physically/belief
Analysis ‘real courage’ ‘courage is a man with a gun in his hand’ (Dubose)
- Childish courage and moral courage
- Moral lesson, having clear conscience in the face of adversity
- Enduring unnecessary pain, Trial, definitive ending, SCOTTSBORO CASE/EMMETT TILL
Analysis “more than faint distaste” (Scout)
- Bright and articulate
- Education confines instead of frees, AMERICAN DREAM
- Reinforced uniformity extenuates WHITE SUPREMACY
Analysis “it don’t matter who they are” (Scout)
- Other half of Scout’s education – morals
- Importance of education to Cal, SEGREGATION, dividing factor
- Children catalyse change, strong values important
Analysis “them” (Scout)
- First Purchase (RELIGION), ignorance/naivety
- White way is the correct way, COLONIALISATION
- INGRAINED PREJUDICE
Analysis “drown” “syrup” (Scout)
- Does not understand pressures of society/ confines of DEPRESSION
- Children know no better, for adults prejudice is unforgiveable
- BILDUNGSROMAN
Analysis “neglected” (Scout)
- Miss Maudie
- Women can defy CONTEXTUAL GENDER STEREOTYPE
- Harper Lee as TOMBOY
Analysis “Mrunas” “J Grimes Everett” (Scout)
- HYPOCRISY of ladyship, TRIAL + EMMETT TILL/SCOTTSBORO
- Contrast with Aunt Alexandra showing strength despite adversity
- Hateful aggression of KKK, LYNCHING
- Outdated ideas of womanhood, CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Analysis “mockingbird” (Scout)
- Recognition of Boo, previously SOUTHERN GOTHIC Ghost
- Speech is a method of empathy/experience
- ALIENATION, compassionate when walking home (antithetic to earlier chapters)
Analysis “Radley porch” “climbing” (Scout)
- Physical + metaphorical perspective shift
- Difficulty
- Education/Understanding vital in uprooting prejudice and segregation
- Vessel of transition, from recalcitrance to tolerance
Analysis “battles” “epic” “one sided” (Cal)
- Stern + strict but from love + concern
- Hyperbolisation by innocent mind, subvert WHITE SUPERIORITY
Analysis “as wide as a bed slat” (Cal)
- Contrast with Atticus’ PARENTING
- Black woman, JIM CROW LAWS
Analysis “Blackstone’s Commentaries” (Cal)
- One of most educated black people, determination, SEGREGATION in schools
Analysis “education” (Cal)
- Teaches Jem + Scout the detriment of prejudice (Julius Caesar??)
- Cycle of prejudice broken by educating children (BILDUNGSROMAN)
Analysis “meanest man ever” (Cal)
- Recognises Boo’s pain SOUTHERN GOTHIC, injustice
- LYNCHING, SCOTTSBORO CASE/EMMETT TILL
Analysis “lonesome” (Cal)
- Exclusion of Scout by Jem/Dill, TOMBOY
- Recognises self?
- Victim of prejudice, quick to sympathise
Analysis “strange” “them” (Cal)
- Respectful and adaptable, changes with contexts
- Scouts’ naïve ignorance
- Two sides, white people’s expectations and reality? COLONIALISM
Analysis “my” (Cal)
- Difficulty of removing prejudice
- Proud of her children, love, care
Analysis “need” (Cal)
- Integral part
- Prejudice/jealousy
- Alexander’s son left her
Analysis “lights” (Cal)
- Honesty, integrity, decency
- Colour of skin doesn’t change values
- In fact, esteemed more than many other white people
Analysis “stop” (Cal)
- Strength of character/courage, Lula
- HYPOCRISY
Analysis “no answer” “shouts” (Cal)
- Breaks societal boundaries
- SOUTHERN GOTHIC HAUNTED HOUSE
- Actions speak louder than words
Analysis “usual disease” (Atticus)
- Prejudice, inherent ideology
- SEGREGATION
- Oppositional to tolerant maxim
Analysis “white man always wins” (Atticus)
- COLONIALISM
- Control of black people
- Rabid, contrast to Bob
Analysis “bargain” (Atticus)
- Contextually soft PARENTING style
- Calpurnia employed, mother figure JIM CROW LAWS
- Never has to hit children, lessons
Analysis “don’t ever do anything that he don’t do in the yard” (Atticus)
- Contrast to Bob Ewell
- Morally upright
- Contrast with implied rape of Mayella/beating of Burris
Analysis “crash hit them hardest” (Atticus)
- DEPRESSION of 1929
- “WPA”, rural landowners
- Compare with Cunninghams
Analysis “square deal” (Atticus)
- Harper Lee’s FATHER, model
- EMMETT TILL/SCOTTSBORO CASE
- Injustice of trial, WHITE SUPREMACY
Analysis “go on about my business” (Atticus)
- Doesn’t force societal confines onto Scout
- TOMBOY/Harper Lee
- HYPOCRISY/societal expectation
Analysis “protect our frail ladies” (Atticus)
- Contextual GENDER stereotypes
- Irony, “grinned”
- Horrors of society also condoned by women
Analysis “keep a jury out” (Atticus)
- Lynch mob
- CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, publishing
- KKK
Analysis “senseless slaughter of songbirds” (Atticus)
- Mockingbird motif
- BILDUNGSROMAN, rites of passage
- AMERICAN DREAM
Analysis “part company” (Jem)
- GENDER roles/expectations
- TOMBOY, Harper Lee
- Can still understand/love
Analysis “difficult” (Jem)
- Jems challenge to her tolerance
- Moral superiority
- Scout frustrated not understanding, childish
Analysis “like a Caterpillar in a cocoon” (Jem)
- Reflection of naivety
- Symbolises change/transformation, BILDUNGSROMAN
- Encapsulates inner change/façade
Analysis “stab” (Jem)
- Painful loss of ignorance
- Dangers of ignorance
- Foreshadows Ewells death?
Analysis “big cake” (Jem)
- Maudie consoles Jem, brutality of life
- Symbolic of maturity, adulthood
- Trial modelled on Lee’s childhood, FATHER
Analysis “baby-step” (Jem)
- Ingrained racism of Southern society
- Children drive change
- Injustice of EMMETT TILL/SCOTTSBORO
Analysis “fingering the white petals” (Jem)
- Reflective/evaluative stage of life
- MORPHINE, misunderstanding
- Prejudice, bravery
Analysis “real courage” (Jem)
- Atticus’ PARENTING/role model
- Incongruous to 1930s society (DEPRESSION?)
- Remaining strong despite adversity
Analysis “charity” “embrace” (Jem)
- Acceptance, tolerance of all life
- Gentleness, SEGREGATION
- CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, publishing
Analysis “run Scout!” (Jem)
- Quickly catches on to the situation
- Boo rescues, SOUTHERN GOTHIC
- Mockingbird, welcoming of Dill, TRUMAN CAPOTE
Analysis “yellow” “rotten” “jagged scar” (Boo)
- Centre of local folklore
- Dehumanisation, lack of conformity
- SEGREGATION in black and white communities
Analysis “cold” “froze” (Boo)
- Threatening/destructive
- Hyperbolises his character
- Invisible, seen later
Analysis “themselves” “unforgiveable” (Boo)
- CHURCH, self-placed withdrawal
- SOUTHERN GOTHIC haunted house, superstition
Analysis “plug” “swell” (Boo)
- Loneliness of isolation, gifts
- Affectionate/sensitive
- Removed freedom, swelling foreshadows later appearance, AMERICAN DREAM
Analysis “mockingbird” (Boo)
- Metaphor for good that exists in everyone
- Childhood amusement -> fully human
- Change in perspective, BILDUNGSROMAN
Analysis “feathery” “delicate” (Boo)
- Lives life through Jem + Scout, hasn’t grown up
- Fragility of person, strength of heart
Analysis “shy” “limelight” (Boo)
- Unwanting of associated attention of heroism
- Treat with sensitivity not judgement
- Injustice – EMMETT TILL/SCOTTSBORO
Analysis “Grey Ghost” (Boo)
- Metaphor for Boo’s life
- Joins the Finch family, Atticus’ lessons PARENTING
- Children drive change, importance of EDUCATION
Analysis “chameleon lady” (Maudie)
- Adaptable to environments, but firm morals
- Any task, without masculine assistance
- Challenges GENDER stereotypes
Analysis “magisterial beauty” (Maudie)
- Strong but also beautiful, TOMBOY
- Fair/lawful, teaches through compassion, like Atticus’ PARENTING
- Outspoken about SEGREGATION
Analysis “baptists” (Maudie)
- RELIGION, no time for HYPOCRISY
- Liberal character, no shame
Analysis “friend” (Maudie)
- Critic of gossip
- Crawford’s lack of humanity, Boo’s survival, SOUTHERN GOTHIC
- Sharp wit, RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY
Analysis “lively” “cordial” “whooped” (Maudie)
- Expecting devastation
- In contrast, remains positive despite DEPRESSION
Analysis “azaleas” (Maudie)
- Joyful, hopeful, contentedness with life
- Symbolic of fondness, feminine beauty, abundance of intelligence
- PANTHEISM, uncommon
Analysis “slice” “big cake” (Maudie)
- Jem’s rites of passage
- Consolation of injustice, EMMETT TILL/SCOTTSBORO CASE
- Complexities of adult life
Analysis “baby-step” (Maudie)
- Lee’s FATHER
- Inspire change, CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Analysis “warmth” (Maudie)
- Reassuring bond
- Encouraging bravery in the face of adversity
Analysis “cold” “icy” (Maudie)
- Vicious reaction to highly judgmental comments
- Critical of narrow-mindedness
- Challenging all forms of prejudice, vital BILDUNGSROMAN
Analysis “clean-living” (Tom)
- Sensible, clean record, no sin, moral innocence
- Metaphorical representation of social hierarchy through houses
- DEPRESSION
Analysis “licked” (Tom)
- Inherent ideology, imprisonment vital part of SOUTHERN GOTHIC
- SEGREGATION/SLAVERY/NORTH
- Courage, FATHER
Analysis “stood up” “pointed” (Tom)
- Displaying, ringleader, commanding
- Physical WHITE SUPERIORITY
Analysis “advantage” “yonder” “wanta” (Tom)
- HYPOCRISY of Mayella
- EDUCATION, dividing factor, compare to Ewells
Analysis “no case” “secret courts of men’s hearts” (Tom)
- Stereotypical GENDER roles, hidden emotions, impromptu decisions
- Dead, heart stops
Analysis “white men’s chances” “free” (Tom)
- Desperation/suffocation, no other choice
- AMERICAN DREAM
- Only white men truly free, controlling fear
Analysis “mockingbird” (Tom)
- Injustice, SCOTTSBORO CASE/EMMETT TILL
Analysis “quiet, humble, respectable Negro” (Tom)
- Pure compassion/selflessness
- MISSIONARY CIRCLE contrast
- End focus, no remedy COLONIALISM
- Theme of understanding
Analysis “analogous to Mount Everest” (Alexandra)
- Lack of emotion
- No familial recognition
- OTHERNESS, Scout hasn’t met anyone like her/PREJUDICE
Analysis “lady” (Alexandra)
- FEMALE GENDER stereotypes
- TOMBOY
Analysis “sunbeam/sunshine” (Alexandra)
- Sun symbolises authority/nurture/male energy
- Contrast to DEPRESSION
Analysis “like a hand into a glove” (Alexandra)
- Inherent ideologies, SEGREGATION, family built on SLAVERY/COLONIALISM
- Lack of change “not into the world of Jem and me” BILDUNGSROMAN
Analysis “arrange, advise, caution and warn” (Alexandra)
- Very dominant parenting style
- Contrast to Atticus’ atypical PARENTING
Analysis “Streak” (Alexandra)
- PREJUDICE, ignorance
- Highlights importance of EDUCATION
Analysis “soft-hearted” “easy man” (Alexandra)
- MALE GENDER stereotypes
- Morals mistaken as ease
Analysis “tears him to pieces” (Alexandra)
- Injustice of EMMETT TILL/SCOTTSBORO CASE
- FATHER, HYPOCRISY
- Understanding, incongruous with previous stoicism
Analysis “so could I” (Alexandra)
- Lesson of courage for Scout
- BILDUNGSROMAN
- Contrast strength in face of adversity with anger of KKK/LYNCHING
Analysis “swapped at birth” (Alexandra)
- Childish fairytales (changeling)
- Comparison to Boo, SOUTHERN GOTHIC
