FINAL TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD STUDY GUIDE

Who is the narrator of To Kill a Mockingbird?

Scout Finch.

What is Scout Finch's real name?

Jean Louise Finch.

Who is Scout's older brother?

Jem Finch.

Who is Scout and Jem's father?

Atticus Finch.

Where does To Kill a Mockingbird take place?

Maycomb, Alabama.

During what time period does the novel take place?

The 1930s during the Great Depression.

What is Maycomb like?

A small, traditional Southern town where racism, social class, and family reputation strongly influence people.

Why is Maycomb an important setting?

Its racism, segregation, poverty, and class divisions create many of the novel's conflicts.

How does Scout describe Maycomb at the beginning?

As an old, tired, slow-moving town.

How does the Great Depression affect Maycomb?

Many families struggle financially and have little money.

What major racial problem exists in Maycomb?

Segregation and prejudice against Black people.

What major class problem exists in Maycomb?

People are judged based on their family name, wealth, and social position.

Where do Scout, Jem, and Atticus live?

In a neighborhood in Maycomb near the Radley house.

Why is the Radley house important?

It creates the mystery surrounding Boo Radley and represents how people fear what they do not understand.

What important setting is used during Tom Robinson's trial?

The Maycomb courthouse.

Where do Scout and Jem sit during Tom Robinson's trial?

In the Black balcony with Reverend Sykes.

Why is the courthouse seating important?

It shows the racial segregation of Maycomb.

Where do the Ewells live?

Near the town dump, close to the Black community.

What does the Ewell home show about the family?

They live in extreme poverty and neglect.

What church does Calpurnia take Scout and Jem to?

First Purchase African M.E. Church.

Why is Scout and Jem's visit to Calpurnia's church important?

It exposes them to another side of Maycomb and Calpurnia's life.

Who is Calpurnia?

The Finch family's Black housekeeper and cook who helps raise Scout and Jem.

What role does Calpurnia have in Scout's life?

She acts as a caregiver, teacher, and disciplinarian.

How does Scout feel about Calpurnia at the beginning?

She sometimes thinks Calpurnia is too strict.

What does Scout eventually realize about Calpurnia?

Calpurnia loves and cares for Scout and Jem like family.

Who is Dill Harris?

Scout and Jem's summer friend who stays with his aunt Miss Rachel.

What is Dill fascinated by?

Boo Radley and the mystery of the Radley house.

Who is Boo Radley?

Arthur Radley, the Finch family's mysterious and reclusive neighbor.

What is Boo Radley's real first name?

Arthur.

Who is Nathan Radley?

Boo Radley's brother.

Why are Scout, Jem, and Dill afraid of Boo at first?

They believe frightening rumors about him.

What does Dill dare Jem to do?

Touch the Radley house.

How do Scout and Jem's feelings toward Boo change?

They go from fearing him to realizing he is kind and protective.

What does Boo leave for Scout and Jem?

Small gifts in the knothole of a tree.

Where does Boo leave gifts for the children?

In a knothole in a tree near the Radley house.

Who fills the knothole with cement?

Nathan Radley.

Why is Jem upset when the knothole is filled?

He realizes someone has stopped Boo from communicating with them.

What happens to Jem's pants near the Radley house?

He loses them and later finds them folded and mended.

Why are Jem's mended pants important?

They suggest Boo secretly cares about and watches over the children.

What happens during Miss Maudie's house fire?

Boo secretly places a blanket around Scout.

Why is the blanket important?

It is another sign that Boo is quietly protecting Scout.

Who is Miss Maudie?

A kind neighbor who is friendly with Scout and Jem and respects Atticus.

What happens to Miss Maudie's house?

It burns down.

What is Miss Maudie's attitude after her house burns?

She remains positive and looks forward to rebuilding.

Who is Aunt Alexandra?

Atticus's sister and Scout and Jem's aunt.

Why does Aunt Alexandra come to live with the Finches?

She wants to help the family and provide Scout with a feminine influence.

What does Aunt Alexandra care strongly about?

Family reputation, ancestry, social class, and proper behavior.

Why does Scout often disagree with Aunt Alexandra?

Alexandra wants Scout to behave like a traditional young lady.

Who is Mrs. Dubose?

An elderly neighbor who insults Scout, Jem, and Atticus.

Why does Jem destroy Mrs. Dubose's camellias?

She insults Atticus for defending Tom Robinson.

What punishment does Jem receive for destroying the flowers?

He must read to Mrs. Dubose.

What does Atticus reveal about Mrs. Dubose after she dies?

She was fighting a morphine addiction.

Why does Atticus consider Mrs. Dubose courageous?

She fought her addiction even though she knew she was dying.

What does Mrs. Dubose teach Jem about courage?

Real courage means continuing to fight for what is right even when success is unlikely.

Who is Tim Johnson?

A rabid dog that wanders into the Finch neighborhood.

Who shoots Tim Johnson?

Atticus Finch.

What surprising fact do Scout and Jem discover about Atticus?

He is an excellent marksman and was once called One-Shot Finch.

Why does Atticus not brag about being a good shooter?

He is humble and does not believe talent makes someone better than others.

What can the mad dog symbolize?

The dangerous racism and prejudice spreading through Maycomb.

Who is Scout's first-grade teacher?

Miss Caroline Fisher.

Why does Miss Caroline become upset with Scout?

Scout already knows how to read and Miss Caroline wants her taught differently.

Who is Walter Cunningham?

A poor boy in Scout's class whose family refuses to accept things they cannot repay.

Why does Walter Cunningham refuse lunch money?

His family does not accept things they cannot pay back.

What does Scout do that embarrasses Walter at lunch?

She criticizes him for pouring syrup over his food.

What lesson does Calpurnia teach Scout about Walter?

Guests should be treated respectfully no matter their background.

Who is Burris Ewell?

A member of the Ewell family who attends school only briefly each year.

Why do the Ewell children rarely attend school?

Their family ignores normal rules and expectations.

What does the contrast between the Cunninghams and Ewells show?

Both families are poor, but the Cunninghams have pride and responsibility while the Ewells are neglectful.

Who is Atticus Finch?

Scout and Jem's father and a lawyer who believes strongly in justice and empathy.

What is Atticus's main conflict in the novel?

He must defend Tom Robinson even though much of Maycomb is against him.

Why does Atticus defend Tom Robinson?

He believes it is morally right and Tom deserves a fair defense.

Why do people criticize Atticus?

He is defending a Black man in a racist community.

What does Atticus teach Scout about understanding people?

You should see things from another person's point of view before judging them.

What does Atticus's quote about walking in another person's skin mean?

You should understand someone's experiences before judging them.

What major qualities does Atticus represent?

Justice, empathy, courage, fairness, and moral integrity.

What is Scout like at the beginning of the novel?

Outspoken, curious, impulsive, and quick to fight.

What important lesson does Scout learn throughout the novel?

To understand people before judging them.

What does Scout mean by “I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks.”?

She believes people should not be divided by race or social class.

How does Scout change by the end of the novel?

She becomes more mature, understanding, and empathetic.

What is Scout's major internal conflict?

Learning to control her temper and understand others instead of immediately fighting or judging them.

What is Jem like?

Protective, increasingly mature, and strongly concerned with fairness.

What does Jem strongly believe in?

Justice and fairness.

Why is Jem deeply affected by Tom Robinson's trial?

He realizes that the world is not always fair.

What does Jem mean by “It ain't right, Atticus”?

He believes Tom Robinson's guilty verdict is unjust.

How does Jem change throughout the story?

He becomes more mature but also more aware of racism and injustice.

What is Jem's major internal conflict?

Accepting that good evidence and fairness do not always lead to justice.

How is Dill different from Scout and Jem?

He is especially imaginative, dramatic, and emotionally sensitive.

Why does Dill become upset during Tom Robinson's trial?

He cannot stand the disrespectful way Mr. Gilmer treats Tom.

Why does Dill leave the courtroom?

Mr. Gilmer's cruel questioning of Tom makes him sick and upset.

What does Dill's reaction to the trial show about him?

He is sensitive to cruelty, racism, and injustice.

Who is Tom Robinson?

A Black man falsely accused of attacking Mayella Ewell.

Who is Tom Robinson's lawyer?

Atticus Finch.

Who is Tom Robinson's wife?

Helen Robinson.

Who is Tom Robinson's employer?

Link Deas.

What is important about Tom Robinson's left arm?

It is badly disabled and almost useless.

How was Tom Robinson's arm injured?

It was caught in a cotton gin when he was younger.

Why is Tom's disabled arm important to the trial?

It makes Mayella's version of the attack physically unlikely.

Why does Tom visit the Ewell property?

Mayella repeatedly asks him to help with chores.

Does Tom charge Mayella for helping her?

No, he helps her for free.

Why does Tom help Mayella?

He feels sorry for her because she is lonely.