to kill a mockingbird

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRDEssential Knowledge Study Guide

SYMBOLISMA symbol is a thing that represents something else. The Statue of Liberty is an example. It represents our freedom. If the statue were bombed or fell over from a storm, we would still be free. The statue may be gone, but we would still be free because it is just representation of our freedom.

SYMBOLISMAnother example is my wedding ring. It represents that I am married. There are several reasons why: It is round, showing that my love for my husband is never-ending, like a circle has no ending. It is silver, because my love for my husband is precious, and it is on the fourth finger of my left hand, because people used to believe that there was a blood vein in that finger that ran straight to the heart. Now, if I take thatring off, I'm still married. It is a symbol of my love and commitment to my husband.

SYMBOLISMMetaphor and symbol are the same thing at first glance. However, a metaphor is generally used once or twice during the course of a novel. A symbol is used consistently throughout a novel, and so it comes to carry its own significance in relation to the novel itself. Hence, the ring in the Lord of the Rings comes to symbolize something much different than what we usually think.

SYMBOLISMAs you read the book, keep track of evidence for the following symbols:

1. The killing of a mockingbird2. The Radley place; Boo Radley3. The Mad Dog4. The Oak Tree

PLOT

Make sure you can label the plot pyramid and identify 5-10 details about each part of the Story Pyramid.

PLOTAs you read the book, note important events on the plot diagram for the following two plots:

1. The story of how Dill, Scout, and Jem get Boo to come out of his house.2. Atticus’s defense of Tom Robinson.

THEMETheme – the unifying idea or moral of a piece of literature

THEMEAs you read the book, find evidence for the following themes:1. Justice

a. According to the novel, is the South of Maycomb a just place?b. Is Tom’s trial just?c. What is an individual’s responsibility in fighting for justice?d. What criteria does the novel prescribe for judging?

THEME2. Tolerance and understanding vs. Fear

a. How does the town’s misunderstanding of the Radley’s lead it to fear Boo?

b. Why is Tom so feared?c. How do fear and misunderstanding lead to racism?

3. Racisma. How does the novel portray black

characters? Are there elements of racism in these portrayals?

b. Is the racism in the novel historically accurate?