To Kill a Mockingbird

End of Novel Notes

Terms you MUST know…Dialect – a form of language spoken by people

in a particular region or group- Southern dialect of the Maycomb citizens

“suh”, “hafta”, “yessum”, “’em”, “chillun” Colloquialism- An expression used in

conversation but not acceptable as good usage in formal speech or writing (specific to a certain region)

- “ain’t”, “yonder”, “I reckon that…”, “Jim-Dandy job”

Terms cont’d Situational Irony- an incongruity between the intended meaning

of an action and the actual or perceived meaning of an action- Miss Maudie’s reaction to the fire- “Miss Caroline told me to tell my father not to teach me any

more, it would interfere with my reading.” (Chpt. 2) Tone- author’s attitude toward subject, audience, and self- sarcastic, blunt, etc. Satire- a work that seeks to point out flaws and/pr ridicule

something in society to promote change- Miss Gates Democracy vs. Hitler- Mrs. Merriweather Mrunas tribe vs. Maycomb citizens

Humour and Satire What is the purpose?- Cootie scene (contrast the satirical presentation of the

education system)- "Golly, looka yonder." He pointed across the street. At first

we saw nothing but a kudzu-covered front porch, but a closer inspection revealed an arc of water descending from the leaves and splashing in the yellow circle of the street light, some ten feet from source to earth, it seemed to us. Jem said Mr. Avery misfigured, Dill said he must drink a gallon a day, and the ensuing contest to determine relative distances and respective prowess only made me feel left out again, as I was untalented in this area.” (Chapter 6)

- “Pass the damn ham”. (Chapter 9)

Terms cont’dMotif- recurring element that has symbolic

significance in the storyMetaphor- comparing two entitiesSimile- comparing two things using the word

like or asSymbolism- something that represents

something beyond itselfTheme- the central or universal idea of a piece

of literature

Dilemma Is a situation in which a character must make a

choice between two disagreeable, undesirable, unfavourable alternatives. Can generate conflict and suspense.

Which characters experience a dilemma situation? How does this influence their actions and attitudes?

Symbols in TKAM1. Mockingbird2. Tim Johnson3. Morphodite/Snowman4. CamelliaAny others?

Please remember: symbols are intended to point the reader in the direction of theme.

MotifsFlowers- Camellia- Red geraniums- Azaleas

- Any others?

Foil PairsCharacter foil: a person who contrasts the qualities of

another character

Character – Qualities/Attitudes/Actions – Character

Mother figures, ladylike behaviour, Scout’s respect – Which two characters are character foils in this regard?

Parallel PairsMirror or parallel character: a person who is

developed similarly to another character, or who represents similar beliefs or qualities in order to emphasize similar traits or theme.

Poor treatment of children – Which two characters are character parallels in this regard?