To Kill a Mockingbird Vocabulary and Concept Flashcards

Vocabulary and key entity flashcards covering characters, items, and concepts from the To Kill a Mockingbird comprehension quiz.

Miss Rachel

Dill's aunt in Maycomb with whom he stays during the summer.

Atticus Finch

An older Maycomb lawyer and father who defends Tom Robinson out of moral conviction and possesses exceptional marksmanship skills.

Boo Radley

The reclusive Arthur Radley, who fascinates the children, leaves gifts in a tree knothole, covers Scout with a blanket, and rescues Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell.

Miss Caroline

Scout's schoolteacher who objects to Scout learning to read before being formally taught in school.

Walter Cunningham

A classmate of Scout whose family does not accept anything they cannot repay, causing him to refuse Miss Caroline's offer of money.

Burris Ewell

A student on the first day of school who causes Miss Caroline concern when it is revealed he has lice.

Radley Tree Knothole

A hollow space in a tree near the Radley house where Scout and Jem find chewing gum, Indian-head pennies, carved soap figures, a spelling medal, and a pocket watch.

Nathan Radley

Boo Radley's brother who shoots into the air when the children trespass and later fills the tree's knothole with cement.

Miss Maudie

A neighbor who explains that rumors about Boo Radley are based on exaggeration and whose house burns down during an unusually cold snowfall.

One-Shot Finch

Atticus's childhood nickname earned because of his exceptional marksmanship, demonstrated when he shoots a rabid dog in the street.

Mrs. Dubose

An elderly neighbor whose camellias Jem destroys; she exhibits courage by overcoming a morphine addiction prior to her death.

First Purchase African M.E. Church

Calpurnia's church where she takes Jem and Scout, and where the congregation collects money to support Helen Robinson.

Aunt Alexandra

Atticus's sister who moves into the Finch household to help raise the children and strongly emphasizes family heritage and social status.

Dill (Charles Baker Harris)

Scout and Jem's summer friend who runs away from home and hides under Scout's bed because he feels his parents do not want him.

Tom Robinson

A Black man accused of rape whose left arm is disabled; despite evidence of his innocence, he is convicted and later killed while attempting to escape prison.

Dolphus Raymond

A white Maycomb resident who spends time with Black people and pretends to be drunk so society can easily rationalize his lifestyle choices.

Bob Ewell

A left-handed man who falsely accuses Tom Robinson, later attacks Jem and Scout on Halloween, and is killed by Boo Radley.

Mr. Underwood

A newspaper writer who compares Tom Robinson's death to the senseless killing of a songbird.

Heck Tate

The Maycomb sheriff who insists that Bob Ewell fell on his own knife in order to protect Boo Radley from public exposure.

The Mockingbird Symbol

A central theme representing innocent, harmless creatures that should never be harmed.

Carved Soap Figures

Gifts found by Jem and Scout in the Radley tree knothole that were sculpted to resemble the two children.

Maycomb Snowfall

An unusual weather event during which Miss Maudie's house burns down, prompting Boo Radley to secretly place a blanket around Scout.

Atticus's Advice on Fighting

Guidance given to Scout urging her to keep her cool and refrain from physical violence when provoked about her father's defense of Tom Robinson.

Mrs. Dubose's Camellias

The flowers Jem destroys in anger, leading to his punishment of reading to her daily while she battles a morphine addiction.

Code-Switching at First Purchase Church

Calpurnia's habit of adapting her speech style depending on whether she is at the Finch household or among her Black church community.

Maycomb Jailhouse Mob

A group of men led by Mr. Cunningham who intend to lynch Tom Robinson, but disperse after Scout engages Cunningham in personal conversation.

Significance of Bob Ewell's Left-Handedness

Evidence presented at trial indicating Mayella's injuries were inflicted by someone using their left hand, implicating Bob rather than Tom.

Tom Robinson's Physical Disability

A severely injured and useless left arm, making it physically impossible for him to have beaten Mayella on the right side of her face.

Hypocrisy of the Missionary Circle

The contrast between the local women's concern for underprivileged foreign tribes and their active prejudice against Black neighbors in Maycomb.

Scout's Halloween Costume

A bulky ham suit made of chicken wire and cloth that restricts Scout's visibility but ultimately protects her during Bob Ewell's attack.

Heck Tate's Explanation of Bob Ewell's Death

The official ruling that Bob fell on his own knife, devised to protect Boo Radley from unwanted public attention.

The Radley Porch Realization

The moment at the end of the novel when Scout stands outside Boo's home and finally views Maycomb from his perspective.

Miss Rachel

Dill's aunt in Maycomb with whom he stays during the summer months.

Atticus Finch

An older Maycomb lawyer and father who defends Tom Robinson out of moral conviction and possesses exceptional marksmanship skills.

Boo Radley (Arthur Radley)

The reclusive Maycomb resident who fascinates the children, leaves gifts in a tree knothole, covers Scout with a blanket, and rescues Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell.

Miss Caroline

Scout's first-grade schoolteacher who objects to Scout knowing how to read and write before formal school instruction.

Walter Cunningham Jr.

A classmate of Scout whose family refuses to accept anything they cannot repay, leading him to decline Miss Caroline's offer of lunch money.

Burris Ewell

A disrespectful student who attends school only on the first day and causes alarm when a louse (cootie) is found in his hair.

Atticus's Advice on Understanding Others

The lesson that one never really understands a person until considering things from their point of view—by climbing into their skin and walking around in it.

Radley Tree Knothole

A hollow space in a tree near the Radley house where Scout and Jem find chewing gum, Indian-head pennies, carved soap figures, a spelling medal, and a pocket watch.

Carved Soap Figures

Gifts found by Jem and Scout in the Radley tree knothole that were sculpted to resemble the two children.

Cementing of the Radley Knothole

Nathan Radley's action, falsely justified by claiming the tree was dying, which cut off Boo's gift-giving communication with Jem and Scout.

Jem's Mended Pants

The trousers Jem tangled on the Radley fence during a nighttime trespass, which he later found crudely sewn and folded waiting for him.

Nathan Radley

Boo Radley's brother who shoots a shotgun into the air during a trespass incident and later fills the tree's knothole with cement.

Miss Maudie Atkinson

A supportive neighbor who explains that rumors about Boo Radley are exaggerated and whose house burns down during an unusually cold snowfall.

Maycomb Snowfall

An unusual weather event during which Miss Maudie's house burns down, prompting Boo Radley to secretly place a blanket around Scout.

Atticus's Advice on Fighting

Guidance given to Scout urging her to keep her cool and refrain from physical violence when provoked about her father defending Tom Robinson.

One-Shot Finch

Atticus's childhood nickname earned because of his exceptional marksmanship, demonstrated when he shoots the rabid dog Tim Johnson in the street.

Mrs. Dubose's Camellias

The flowers Jem destroys in anger after an insult about Atticus, leading to his punishment of reading to her daily while she breaks her morphine addiction.

Mrs. Dubose's Courage

Her painful, successful struggle to overcome a morphine addiction prior to her death, demonstrating moral strength without relying on a weapon.

First Purchase African M.E. Church

Calpurnia's church where she takes Jem and Scout, and where the congregation collects money to support Tom Robinson's wife, Helen.

Code-Switching at First Purchase Church

Calpurnia's habit of adapting her speech style depending on whether she is at the Finch household or among her Black community.

Aunt Alexandra

Atticus's sister who moves into the Finch household to help raise the children and strongly emphasizes family heritage, pride, and social status.

Dill (Charles Baker Harris)

Scout and Jem's imaginative summer friend who runs away from home and hides under Scout's bed because he feels his parents neglect him.

Atticus's Moral Conviction in Defending Tom Robinson

His belief that refusing to defend Tom would render him unable to hold his head up in town, represent Maycomb in the legislature, or instruct his children.

Maycomb Jailhouse Mob

A group of men led by Mr. Cunningham who intend to lynch Tom Robinson, but disperse after Scout engages Cunningham in friendly, personal conversation.

Seating at Tom Robinson's Trial

The arrangement where white spectators sit on the main floor while Black spectators sit in the balcony, where Reverend Sykes invites Scout, Jem, and Dill.

Medical Examination in Mayella Ewell's Alleged Attack

An essential piece of missing evidence in the prosecution's case, as no doctor was ever called to evaluate Mayella's injuries.

Significance of Bob Ewell's Left-Handedness

Evidence presented at trial indicating Mayella's injuries were inflicted on the right side of her face by someone using their left hand, implicating Bob.

Tom Robinson's Physical Disability

A severely damaged and useless left arm resulting from a cotton gin accident, making it physically impossible for him to have beaten Mayella as accused.

Dolphus Raymond

A white Maycomb resident with mixed-race children who drinks Coca-Cola from a paper bag and pretends to be drunk to give society a reason for his lifestyle.

Dill's Reaction to the Trial

Deep emotional distress and crying caused by prosecutor Mr. Gilmer's disrespectful and condescending treatment of Tom Robinson.

Verdict in Tom Robinson's Trial

A conviction of guilty rendered by the all-white jury despite clear evidence establishing Tom's innocence.

Balcony Gesture Following the Verdict

The act of all Black spectators standing up as Atticus walks down the aisle to show respect and gratitude for his courageous defense.

Hypocrisy of the Missionary Circle

The contrast between the local women's concern for underprivileged foreign tribes (the Mrunas) and their active prejudice against Black neighbors in Maycomb.

Mr. Underwood's Editorial

A newspaper article written following Tom Robinson's death that compares his killing to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by children.

The Mockingbird Symbol

A central metaphor representing innocent, harmless beings—such as Tom Robinson and Boo Radley—who bring no harm and should never be hurt.

Miss Gates's Classroom Hypocrisy

Scout's observation that her teacher condemns Hitler's persecution of Jewish people abroad while expressing racist attitudes toward Black people at home.

Scout's Halloween Costume

A bulky ham suit made of chicken wire and cloth that restricts Scout's vision but ultimately protects her from Bob Ewell's knife.

Bob Ewell's Attack on the Children

A vengeful assault on Jem and Scout while they walk home from the Halloween pageant, ending when Boo Radley intervenes to save them.

Heck Tate's Explanation of Bob Ewell's Death

The sheriff's official ruling that Bob fell on his own knife, devised to protect Boo Radley from unwanted public attention and praise.

Protecting Boo Radley as a Mockingbird

Scout's realization that exposing Boo Radley to the public spotlight for saving them would be 'sort of like shootin' a mockingbird.'

The Radley Porch Realization

The moment at the end of the novel when Scout stands outside Boo's home and finally views Maycomb from his perspective.

Miss Rachel

Dill's aunt in Maycomb with whom he stays during the summer months.

Atticus Finch

An older Maycomb lawyer and father who defends Tom Robinson out of moral conviction and possesses exceptional marksmanship skills.

Boo Radley (Arthur Radley)

The reclusive Maycomb resident who fascinates the children, leaves gifts in a tree knothole, covers Scout with a blanket, and rescues Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell.

Miss Caroline

Scout's first-grade schoolteacher who objects to Scout knowing how to read and write before formal school instruction.

Walter Cunningham Jr.

A classmate of Scout whose family refuses to accept anything they cannot repay, leading him to decline Miss Caroline's offer of lunch money.

Burris Ewell

A disrespectful student who attends school only on the first day and causes alarm when a louse (cootie) is found in his hair.

Atticus's Advice on Understanding Others

The lesson that one never really understands a person until considering things from their point of view—by climbing into their skin and walking around in it.

Radley Tree Knothole

A hollow space in a tree near the Radley house where Scout and Jem find chewing gum, Indian-head pennies, carved soap figures, a spelling medal, and a pocket watch.

Carved Soap Figures

Gifts found by Jem and Scout in the Radley tree knothole that were sculpted to resemble the two children.

Cementing of the Radley Knothole

Nathan Radley's action, falsely justified by claiming the tree was dying, which cut off Boo's gift-giving communication with Jem and Scout.

Jem's Mended Pants

The trousers Jem tangled on the Radley fence during a nighttime trespass, which he later found crudely sewn and folded waiting for him.

Nathan Radley

Boo Radley's brother who shoots a shotgun into the air during a trespass incident and later fills the tree's knothole with cement.

Miss Maudie Atkinson

A supportive neighbor who explains that rumors about Boo Radley are exaggerated and whose house burns down during an unusually cold snowfall.

Maycomb Snowfall

An unusual weather event during which Miss Maudie's house burns down, prompting Boo Radley to secretly place a blanket around Scout.

Atticus's Advice on Fighting

Guidance given to Scout urging her to keep her cool and refrain from physical violence when provoked about her father defending Tom Robinson.

One-Shot Finch

Atticus's childhood nickname earned because of his exceptional marksmanship, demonstrated when he shoots the rabid dog Tim Johnson in the street.

Tim Johnson

The rabid dog shot and killed in the street by Atticus Finch.

Mrs. Dubose's Camellias

The flowers Jem destroys in anger after an insult about Atticus, leading to his punishment of reading to her daily while she breaks her morphine addiction.

Mrs. Dubose's Courage

Her painful, successful struggle to overcome a morphine addiction prior to her death, demonstrating moral strength without relying on a weapon.

First Purchase African M.E. Church

Calpurnia's church where she takes Jem and Scout, and where the congregation collects money to support Tom Robinson's wife, Helen.

Code-Switching at First Purchase Church

Calpurnia's habit of adapting her speech style depending on whether she is at the Finch household or among her Black community.

Aunt Alexandra

Atticus's sister who moves into the Finch household to help raise the children and strongly emphasizes family heritage, pride, and social status.

Dill (Charles Baker Harris)

Scout and Jem's imaginative summer friend who runs away from home and hides under Scout's bed because he feels his parents neglect him.

Atticus's Moral Conviction in Defending Tom Robinson

His belief that refusing to defend Tom would render him unable to hold his head up in town, represent Maycomb in the legislature, or instruct his children.

Maycomb Jailhouse Mob

A group of men led by Mr. Cunningham who intend to lynch Tom Robinson, but disperse after Scout engages Cunningham in friendly, personal conversation.

Seating at Tom Robinson's Trial

The arrangement where white spectators sit on the main floor while Black spectators sit in the balcony, where Reverend Sykes invites Scout, Jem, and Dill.

Medical Examination in Mayella Ewell's Alleged Attack

An essential piece of missing evidence in the prosecution's case, as no doctor was ever called to evaluate Mayella's injuries.