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To Kill a Mockingbird – Plot Summary

Part 1 Chapter 1-8 1. Chapter 1 introduces readers to the town of Maycomb, its apperannce, its inhabitants, and the particular attitudes of many of its people. Find a sentence or a paragraph which illustrates each of the following attitudes/ideas. Quote at least a portion of the sentence or paragraph and give page number. a. pride in ancestry and “tradition” “tired old town” – p. 9 b. pride in conformity and distrust of those who are different “Maycomb County had recently been told that it had nothing to fear but fear itself” – p. 10 c. wareness difference in social classes “nothing to buy and no money to buy with it” – p. 10 d. narrow span of interest and almost no interest in the world outside Maycomb. “nothing to see outside the boundaries of Maycomb County” – p. 10 2. Approximately when does the story negin? Show evidence to support your answer.

The setting of the story take place in Maycomb County, Alabama, during the 1930’s. The neighborhood overall is very poor, with farming being the major way of making a living. (Cotton-farming) 3. What do we know for certain about Boo Radley?

The Radley place and its mysterious inhabitant are described ub great detail. Scout was telling the story about Boo Radley, she said Radley was locked up as a teenager for once getting in trouble with police. Radley has been in the house ever since, although some people are convinced he come out at night. 4. Why is Boo fasinating to the children? At the summer, when Dill come out and play with Scout and Jem, Dill has always found interesting studying Boo’s place, because Dill think Boo is phantom bogeyman. Chapter 2 1. Scout makes three mistakes during her first day at school.

What are her mistakes, and why do they make Miss Caroline so angry? First of all, the teacher found out that Scout already can read, so she make Scout promise not to read to with her father; second, the teacher found out Scout was writing a letter to Dill, the teacher stop her from writing it and told Scout that in Grade 1, you only learn printing, and in Grade 3 you learn writing; third, Scout was tring to explain the ways of the Cunninghams, a family of poot but proud farmers who refuse charity.

Miss Caroline thinks Scout is being insolent and after slapping her hand. . Why are the professional people in Maycomb poor at this time? The professtional people is poor at that time I think is because their learning system is so limited, student have no chance to things other than what the teacher have teached. 3. What is the WPA, and why won’t Mr. Cunningham work for it? WPA stand for Works Progress Administration. He didn’t work for it because he is proud of himself, he won’t take help and charity, he take only what he work for. Chapter 3 1. Calpurnia lectures Scout on manners when Scout criticzes Walter’s manners and Atticus supports her.

What does this tell you about how both Calpurnia and Atticus feel about others? Scout has a good relationship with Atticus but she doesn’t really like Calpurnia since she think Cal hates her because they always argue about things and always takes the side of Jem. And the point of view from Cal and Atticus is very difference. Cal will give lecture to the children if they did something wrong, but Atticus will try to impact the important message to the children. 2. Burris Ewell, Walter Cunningham, and Chuck little are all from extremely poor families.

However, there are great differences both in appearance and in attitudes, particularly between the Cunninghams and the Ewells. What are those differences and why do you suppose they exist? Between Burris Ewell, Walter Cunningham – They are both from a very poor family. But Walter’s family is respectable, but Ewell’s family is disreputable. Ewell have no attemp of dressing up to school, following rule, or even come back to school again. But as for Walter, he attend school in a clean shirt and neatlt mended overall.

This is to show how disreputable Ewell’s family is, and prepare us to the up coming trial of Tom Robinson. . Atticus tells Scout, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb in skin and walk around in it. ” What are some of the things that Scout begins to realize at this points? (p. 34) Scout have begin to realize things can be both way, and she just can’t judge something from what she see/heard. 4. Why does Atticus say that the law is rigid for “common folk”, but it is bent in certain ways for the Ewells? I think it is because common folk that day just won’t have enough money to hire lawyer to protect themselves, so it is not too fair to them.

AS for Ewell, they are some how always “let off” by the law. For example, during school, Ewell just stand and announce to the whole class I am just going to attend school today only. 5. What is the “compromise” which Atticus suggests? Atticus compromise to Scout is the following… Scout can keep on reading at home, but she will have to go back to school and try to get along better with her tacher. Atticus also told Scout that part of growing up is to learn for to deal with people like Miss Caroline, Walter.. who have different ideas about how things are done.

Chapter 4 1. In what specific ways does Scout criticize the school she is attending?? During the year, Scout have found the school very boring, and also indicated to us that the regular education for Scout have not done anything to her. 2. Where do you suppose the gum and the pennies are coming from? What makes you think so? I think the gifts are coming from Boo Radley, simplely because where Scout the gift is right at the corner of Boo Radley, as well, Boo always a mystery person to everybody, so this mystery gifts just like Boo’s character.

3. Scout has two reason for wanting to quit the “Radley Game” What are they? First of all, I think Scout wanted to quit the game is because once they were playing, and she got push too far, and went right into Boo’s yard. And she said she heard someone laughing from Boo’s house. Secondly, because when Jem and Dill are talking about ghost and superstistions, Scout dismisses the story by saying that’s “nigger talk”. Chapter 5 1. Based on the description of Miss Maudie and her conversations with Scout, write a brief character analysis of Miss Maudie. Give your evidence.

Miss Maudie is a very friendly and warmth person. She hated staying at her house, she is widow, loved flowers and plants except nut grass, crisp voice, gold filling in her teeth, benevolent, cook well, Baptist. She is very nice and friendly to Scout and Jem, and she earn the same respect from Scout as Atticus have. Just because of her friendship with the children – because she can keep sercet for them. 2. Explain Miss Maudie’s statement on p. 49 “… sometimes the Bible in the hands of one man is worse than a whiskey bottle in the hand of–oh, of your father. Because some one with a Bible on their hand can use the power of it on the wrong direction. 3. Paraphrase Atticus’s speech about Radleys’ right to privacy. Do you agree with his point of view? Why or why not? Atticus policy is basicly tell the children everyone have their right, if he want to come out he will do so, and if chooses not to, that is his right.

He is, after all, a human being not a phantom. Chapter 6 1. What reason do Jem and Dill give for trying to peek into the Radley window on this particular night? Their reason of trying to peek into the window is that that’s the last night summer. . What final statement by Jem makes Scout finally go along with the plan? Jem told Scout that they are just going to go peek through the windows. And against Scout better judgement, she went with them. 3. After the incident. Jem’s real desire is not just to recover his pants but to keep on good terms with Atticus. What does this tell you about Jem’s relationship with his father? This have show us that Jem and Atticus have a very good relationship, where Jem would not want to get Atticus angry and dis-trust Jem. That also show us Jem care about the relationship.

Chapter 7 1. What was the condition of Jem’s pants when he found them? Why did their condition frighten him further? Jem found his pants, but the problem is that when he found it, the condition is: mended, and neatly folder. After the whole week he went back to the fence and get it, he was moody and quiet. 2. What is the signifiance of the gift in the tree? From this small gifts given by Boo to Jem and Scout, Jem have kind of become a sercet friends to Boo. 3. Explain why Mr. Nathan fills the hole in the tree with cement. Why does Jem cry about this? Jem have asked Mr. Nathan why he fill the hold with cement, and his reply is that the tree is dieing, and cement will prevent from growing.

But Jem afterward have consult Atticus, and Atticus that the tree look heathy. And now Jem realize Mr. Nathan are trying to prevent his brother Boo from pursuing the friendship. Chapter 8 1. Why do Jem and Scout make the snowman such an obvious replica of Mr. Avery? Jem made the snowman by using mud to built the base, and cover it with snow. And it is an unmistakeable resemblance to their neighbor, Mr. Avery. 2. Why does Atticus decide to keep the blanket incident a sercet?

Jem was convinceing his father, Atticus, not to return the blanket and keep it a sercet. Since Jem didn’t want Mr. Nathan found out about this and punish his brother, Boo. 3. After the fire is over, how does Miss. Maudie feel about the destrustion of her house? What does this tell you about her character, he value? The next morning after the fire, Miss Maudie is already work hard trying to clean up her garden. She accepts good-naturedly the catasrophe which befell her. Part 2 Chapter 9-15 1. Explain Atticus’ statements about the following: a. he use of the word “nigger” (p 79) At school when Scout get into a fight with Cecil because Cecil said Atticus is defending niggers. But Atticus explain to Scout that he is not defending “nigger”, but he is defending for a “nergo”, and told Scout that she will hear more things in the near future, ask Scout to “hold her head high and to keep her fists down”.

b. his personal reasons for defending Tom Robinson(p 80) His personal reason of taking this case is because he believes in the issues at skate. He will fight his hardest to win the case, even though he is bound to lose, because that is the true meaning of moral courage. c. Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win” He is explaining to Scout that every lawyer will be dealing with a case that will affect their whole career, and this is the one for Atticus, and he is saying that even if it is the hardest case, he will use his courage to try his best, since it is morally wrong to Atticus that if he don’t take this case just because he have no chance of winning.

d. “When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness’ sakes. But don’t maje a production of it. Children is children, but they can spot an evasion quicker than adults…… (p 92) Atticus is saying that if a children is asking something, that mean they are trying to learn more, and we should answer them no matter what, but also children catch on very fast, so don’t go too far when answering. f. “… the answer is she knows I know she tries. That’s what makes a difference”. (p 92) He is saying that whatever the children do, as long as they try, that’s good enough already. 2. Who are the following people, and how are they related to Atticus and to the children. a. Alexandra She is Atticus’s sister, where she didn’t agree Atticus defends for Tom Robinson at all.

She believe that childrens should run free, especially Scout, she should be taught to be a lady. She is a very good cook as well. b. Francis Francis is cousin of Scout and Jem, where he make insulting remarks about Atticus behind his back because of the Tom Robinson case. c. Jack He us Atticus’s brother, and a doctor. He is angry of Scout because she swears and furious with when she fight with Francis. But afterward Scout explain what happen, he is not angry with Scout but angry with Francis since he know Scout is trying to protect her father. Chapter 10 1.

At the beginning of this chapter, Scout is ashamed of Atticus. List his faults as she sees them. She think Atticus is no good, at least not as good as what they think he is anymore. Because Atticus didn’t teach them for to use the air rifles and leave that task to Uncle Jack. 2. Explain why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, according to Miss Maudie. Miss Naudie explain to Scout that mockingbirds are harmless creatures who live only to make beautiful music and therefore should be allowed to live in peace. 3. Miss Maudie tries to explain Atticus’ excellent marksmanship and his lack of pride in it. How does she do this?

Miss Maudie told the children that Atticus gave up hunting long time ago because he felt that his natural talent for shooting gave him an “unfair advantage over more living things. 4. Why won’t Jem allow Scout to brag about Atticus at school? Do you agree with him? Why? Jem think that when someone is good, they don’t have to brag about his accomplishments. And I agree, since I think no matter what you do, as long as you do the right thing, and you think you did good, there are no need for other people to know it. (as long as you feel good about yourself.. ) Chapter 11 1. Why is Atticus so insistent about:

a. Jem and Scout being polite to Mrs. Dubose? Because in the pass, Mrs. Dubose manage to make Jem mad by saying his father is “no better than the niggers and trash he works for”. And Jem cuts the tops off all her camellia bushes. When he goes to apologize, Mrs. Dubose sets his punishment at reading to her everyday after school for a month. Atticus afraid Jem will be angry at her, so he ask Jem to be polite. b. Jem’s reading to Mrs. Dubose? Since Mrs. Dubose had been morphine addict who had wanted to break her addiction before she died. And Jem’s reading can be a little distraction to take her mind off agony she was going through.

So Atticus want Jem’s to read for Mrs. Dubose until one day she dies. 2. Why do you think the author gives such a detailed and ugly description of Mrs. Dubose? How does it make you feel? From the early description of Mrs. Dubose, we understand that she is a very selfish, and she don’t like black people. From this it make me hate this character, but later where it tell me she want to die free of her addicion, it have shown me how much courage she has. It make me feel she is a very stronge person. 3. Discuss Atticus’s description of the phrase “nigger-lover” on p. 113. Do you agree with his ideas on the subject?

Why? Atticus reply to this is very suprise, he actually agree to the phrase “nigger-lover”, since he said he try to love everyone around him, including “nigger” – black people. 4. On p. 116, Atticus explains to the children why he considered Mrs. Dubose to be a “great lady” and a brave person. How does this “fit in” with his explanation of why he is defending Tom Robinson? Mrs. Dubose courage to get off the addiction before she die, it is a reflection to Atticus courage to defend Tom Robinson when he know from the start he will never win. Chapter 12 1. How do you explain Lula’s antagonism toward Jem and Scout?

Lula feel that when all the white churches in town are all segregated, why should white people allow in Black church. 2. Scout finds the church service to be similar to her own except for few differences. Explain what these are. One of the shock to Jem and Scout is that at the end of the serivce. Where Helen Robinson, Tom’s wife, are collecting money, and not letting anyone go until enough money have been collected. The reason she is collecting money when she have the ability to work and earn her own money, is because when Tom Robinson is getting charge with crime like that, no one would hire Helen at all.

Why does Cal speak one way around coloured people and another way around white people?? Is she being honest or hypocritial in what she does? Explain. I think mainly it is because Cal have been working for Atticus for a long time, and so she have to try to suit both white people(Atticus) and black people(her own community). That’s why she is speaking for both colour. Chapter 13 1. Scout and Aunt Alexandra communicate very poorly with each other. Is the fault more with one than the other, or are they equally at fault? Explain. I think that the fault is more on Aunt Alexandra side.

Since she is trying too hard to change Scout into a young lady, where I don’t think Scout is ready for it yet. So Scout is kind of scare of her, and lack of communicate occur. 2. What did Scout mean on page 137 when she stated, “I know what he was trying to do, but Atticus was only a man. It takes a woman to do that kind of work. ” I think she is saying, Atticus just can’t replace a mother position. Chapter 14 1. How does Aunt Alexandra feel about Calpurnia? Explain why this is “in character” for Aunt Alexandra. Aunt Alexandra is a little upset about Scout and Jem going to church with Cal.

And she want Atticus to dismiss Cal. I think the reason why she want Atticus to do that is because she don’t like negro at the very beginning anyway. 2. Why is Scout so happy about the brawl with Jem? When they found Dill hiding under the bed, Jem all the suddent become so much grow up, he take up the responility, and he realize how important it is to tell Atticus about this.. so he did. 3. Explain how Jem “broke the remaining code of our childhood”. (p 143) When Jem told Atticus about Dill, he is acting growing up, that kind of show a change from children to a young adult. And that have just end Jem childhood.

4. Dill tries to explain to Scout why he did not want to stay with his mother and stepfather. State his reasons brieflly in your own words. Dill reason mainly about running away is that his mother re- marriage with his stepfather, they are kind to him, but always doesn’t seem to want him around, and he is not happy at the house at all. Chapter 15 1. Atticus discusses the Ku Klux Klan on p149 and concludes by saying that the Klan is gone. Is this statement correct? Explain. I think the Klan is not gone yet. I mean the actually Klan back at nineteen-twenty maybe gone, but same type of people might just appear again now. 2. Describe events prior to the scene at Maycomb jail that show the tension and unrest of the town. Be specific. One night a group of men come to Atticus and warn him that tarnsferring Tom to Maycomb jail might be danger, as well, during the night where Tom is in Maycomb jail, all this mod come to the front of the jail and wanted to take Tom. This 2 examples who how un-rest the people in Maycomb were.

And during the talk between Atticus and the mods in front of the jail, there are a reporter at the back throughtout the whole event, with his shotgun ready to protect Atticus, this show the tension this event have brought to people around it. . Discuss the inory of the following statement and the situation which it describes on p 153. “… there followed what I later realized was a sickeningly comic aspect of an unfunny situation: the man talked in near-whispers”. This statement made by Scout was showing how she didn’t realize how serious the situation is. Since she is looking at it from her point of view, and she didn’t Atticus might be in dangers. 4. Why does Jem openly defy Atticus and refuse to leave? Jem know Atticus is in trouble and didn’t want to leave his father there by himself. 5. What does Scout’s childish attemp at conversation accomplish?

Explain. Scout try to look for a someone she know, and finally, she found Mr. Cunningham. She attemp to start a conversation by asking him about the entailment, and then send a greeting to his son. When he respond, the tension dissipates, and Mr. Cunningham disperses the crowd. Part 3 Chapter 16-21 1. Atticus is in disagreement with Aunt Alexandra over many things. Discuss at least two matters of disagreement and each one’s position or point of view. Atticus was a little short with Aun Alexandra when he tells her Calpurnia has the right to speak about anything she chooses.

He doesn’t lose his temper, however, he always calm and rational. 2. Paraphrase how Atticus explains the mod’s actions to Scout. Atticus explain to Scout that although a mod sometimes seems to act of its own accord, it really is made up of individuals. If you can make the members of a mod realize that they still have personal choices, you can destory it. For example, when Scout called attention to Mr. Cunningham she reminded him that he was a man and a father. 3. Why do you supppose a man like Mr. Underwood (who is a knownhater of Negroes) was covering Atticus at the jail?

This have shown us that he still believe in the right of each man to a legal trial. 4. Mr. Dolphus Raymond is evidently a complicated and interesting person. Describe his way of life and comment on its effect upon the town. Mr. Dolphus in someway is similar to Atticus. He like Negroes, he prefers the company of negroes than white man, but he doesn’t have the courage to do it. So, he present himself as a drinker so people might think he is drunk and excuse him from his action. Chapter 17 1. Atticus spends a great deal of time discussing Mayella Ewell’s injuries. What does he seem to want to reveal?

When he talk about Mayella injuries, he have notices and said that all the injuries is in the right hand side of her face, and must be a left hand person did that. 2. The Ewells are “poor white trash” Explain this term according to what you know about the way they live and the kind of people they have appeared to be up to this point. They live in a great squalor behind the town garbage dump, where there are no windows in their shackm only holes in the wallls. The children play with anything they can found in the garbage dump that’s not eatable. And no one know for sure how old is their children.

Some say six, some say nine years old. Chapter 18 1. Mayella Ewell is both disgusting and patheic. Give examples of both qualities by quoting statements she makes. When Atticus ask her whether her father ever goes after her, she pause and look around in the courtroom before she reply that her father had “never touched a hair o’my head”. 2. What is so important about Tom Robinson’s physical appearance? What, according to the testimony, does this prove beyond a doubt? Tom’s left hand is 12 inchs shorter than his right arm, and it is almost completely useless.

And from before where we found out that Mayella right side of her face is injuries, and it should be done by a left handed people. (remember we just said Tom left hand is completely useless? ) Chapter 19 1. In contrast to the Ewells, what kind of person is Tom Robinson? Explain with evidence. During the trial, we understand Tom is a more horest person, where you can see when he answer question in the court. 2. Why does Atticus mention Tom’s previous record of conviction? Somehow by mentioning Tom previous record, it make Tom a more respectable person.

 

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