Literature Final Exam Study Guide The Wednesday Wars by The Wednesday Wars Author * Written by Gary D. Schmidt Protagonist * Holling Hoodhood * A seventh-grade student. * Feels misunderstood by his father and teacher. * Learns responsibility, courage, and empathy throughout the novel. Setting (Time and Place) * Time: 1967–1968 during the Vietnam War era. * Place: Long Island, New York (fictional town of Camillo Junior High). Main Characters & Roles Mrs. Baker * Holling’s teacher. * At first Holling thinks she hates him. * Eventually becomes a mentor and supporter. * Makes Holling read Shakespeare. Danny Hupfer * Holling’s friend. * Funny and loyal. Meryl Lee Kowalski * Holling’s classmate and friend. * Kind and supportive. * Performs in plays with Holling. Mai Thi * Vietnamese refugee student. * Symbolizes the effects of the Vietnam War. Mr. Hoodhood * Holling’s father. * Strict and focused on business reputation. * Has a strained relationship with Holling. Heather Hoodhood * Holling’s sister. * Becomes involved in anti-war protests. * Supportive of Holling. ⸻ Major Events in the Novel Shakespeare Lessons * Holling spends Wednesday afternoons with Mrs. Baker reading Shakespeare. * The lessons connect to events in Holling’s life. Field Trips & School Events * School activities often become embarrassing or chaotic for Holling. Cross-Country Running * Holling discovers confidence and talent through running. The Play * Holling acts in Shakespeare performances. * Learns teamwork and self-confidence. Rats in the School * Holling must help catch escaped rats. * Creates funny and stressful situations. Vietnam War Connections * Mai Thi’s family and soldiers from the town show the war’s impact. Bonding with Mrs. Baker * Their relationship changes from distrust to respect and care. Family Tension * Holling struggles with his father’s expectations and lack of emotional support. ⸻ Holling and His Father * Mr. Hoodhood values business success more than Holling’s feelings. * Holling feels pressured to obey and succeed. * Their relationship is strained because: * Mr. Hoodhood rarely listens to Holling. * He cares deeply about appearances and business deals. * Holling wants independence and understanding. * By the end, Holling grows stronger and more confident despite his father’s pressure. ⸻ To Kill a Mockingbird by To Kill a Mockingbird Author * Written by Harper Lee Setting * Place: Maycomb, Alabama. * Time: The 1930s during the Great Depression. How Many Years Does the Book Cover? * About 3 years. What Happened to Scout’s Mom? * Scout’s mother died when Scout was very young. Town Sheriff * Heck Tate is the sheriff of Maycomb. ⸻ Important Characters Scout Finch * Narrator and main character. * Curious, intelligent, and tomboyish. Jem Finch * Scout’s older brother. * Matures throughout the novel. Atticus Finch * Scout and Jem’s father. * Lawyer who defends Tom Robinson. * Symbol of morality and justice. Walter Cunningham * Poor but honorable boy from the Cunningham family. Boo Radley * Reclusive neighbor. * Secretly watches over Jem and Scout. * Saves them at the end. Miss Maudie * Wise and kind neighbor. * Supports Atticus. Heck Tate * Sheriff of Maycomb. * Protects Boo Radley at the end. Mrs. Dubose * Elderly woman with a bad temper. * Secretly fighting morphine addiction. Mr. Link Deas * Tom Robinson’s employer. * Defends Tom’s character. Uncle Jack * Atticus’s brother. * Doctor. Dolphus Raymond * Pretends to be drunk to give society an explanation for his lifestyle. Bob Ewell * Racist and abusive father of Mayella. * Main antagonist. Mayella Ewell * Accuses Tom Robinson of assault. * Lonely and abused. Little Chuck Little * Student who helps Scout understand school rules. Lula * Woman at First Purchase Church who questions Scout and Jem being there. Zeebo * Calpurnia’s son. * Leads singing at church. Cousin Francis * Insults Atticus, causing Scout to fight him. Mr. Underwood * Newspaper editor who supports justice. Burris Ewell * Dirty and rude Ewell child. * Bullies the teacher. ⸻ Major Events & Important Questions Atticus’ Final Arguments * Atticus argues Tom Robinson is innocent. * Explains the Ewells are lying. * Says prejudice influenced the case. Tom Robinson and Mayella * Mayella kissed Tom Robinson. * Bob Ewell saw this and became angry. * Tom was falsely accused because of racism. Why Jem Destroys Mrs. Dubose’s Camellias * Mrs. Dubose insults Atticus. * Jem becomes angry and destroys her flowers. Why Jem Goes to Mrs. Dubose’s House * As punishment, Jem must read to her daily. * He learns about courage and addiction. Jem and Scout in the Courtroom * They secretly watch Tom Robinson’s trial from the balcony with the Black community. Mr. Cunningham at the Jail * A mob tries to hurt Tom Robinson. * Scout talks politely to Mr. Cunningham. * The mob leaves peacefully. Who Scout Confides In After a Fight * Scout often talks with Atticus or Miss Maudie after problems. What Happens on Christmas Day at Finch’s Landing * Scout fights Cousin Francis after he insults Atticus. Crimes Bob Ewell Has Committed * Abuse, lying under oath, intimidation, and attacking Jem and Scout. Why Is It a Sin to Kill Mockingbirds? * Mockingbirds symbolize innocence. * They do no harm and only bring beauty. Characters That Symbolize Mockingbirds * Tom Robinson * Boo Radley * Sometimes Scout and Jem Who Saves Jem and Scout? * Boo Radley saves them from Bob Ewell. What Happens to Tom Robinson? * He is convicted unfairly. * Later shot and killed while trying to escape prison. Tom Robinson Trial * Shows racism and injustice in Maycomb. * Despite evidence of innocence, Tom is convicted. Why Miss Maudie Moves in with Miss Stephanie * Miss Maudie’s house burns down. Scout’s Halloween Costume * She wears a ham costume. Symbolic Significance of the Mockingbird * Represents innocent people harmed by evil or prejudice. * Main theme: protect innocence and goodness. ⸻ Important Themes for Both Novels Courage * Standing up for what is right even when it is difficult. Growing Up * Characters learn maturity and understanding. Prejudice and Judgment * Both novels explore unfair assumptions about people. Family Relationships * Parent-child relationships strongly affect the characters. Empathy * Understanding others’ perspectives is important in both stories

The Wednesday Wars

A novel by Gary D. Schmidt focusing on a seventh grader named Holling Hoodhood.

Holling Hoodhood

The protagonist of The Wednesday Wars; a seventh-grade student who learns responsibility, courage, and empathy.

Mrs. Baker

Holling's teacher who initially seems hostile but becomes a mentor.

Setting of The Wednesday Wars

Takes place in 1967-1968 during the Vietnam War era in Long Island, New York.

Mai Thi

A Vietnamese refugee student representing the effects of the Vietnam War.

To Kill a Mockingbird

A novel by Harper Lee set in Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression.

Scout Finch

The narrator and main character in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Atticus Finch

Scout and Jem's father, a lawyer who defends Tom Robinson and symbolizes morality and justice.

Bob Ewell

The main antagonist in To Kill a Mockingbird, known for his racism and abusive nature.

Symbol of the Mockingbird

Represents innocence and the harm done to good people by evil or prejudice.

Courage

Standing up for what is right, a key theme in both novels.

Family Relationships

Parent-child relationships exert significant influence over the characters in both novels.

Mai Thi's family impact

Demonstrates the Vietnam War's influence in The Wednesday Wars.

Atticus' final arguments

Argues that Tom Robinson is innocent and highlights the Ewells' lies.

Symbolism of Mockingbirds

Tom Robinson and Boo Radley symbolize innocents harmed by prejudice.