Revision for To Kill aRevision for To Kill aMocking Bird.Mocking Bird.

Pointers for your study and possible Pointers for your study and possible essay in the examination.essay in the examination.

The book’s title…..The book’s title….. The Mockingbird is The Mockingbird is

known as “the American known as “the American nightingale.” It is a song nightingale.” It is a song bird which often imitates bird which often imitates the songs of other birds. the songs of other birds. It brings pleasure to all It brings pleasure to all who hear it.who hear it.

Therefore, to kill one is Therefore, to kill one is regarded as a sin.regarded as a sin.

The bird clearly refers to The bird clearly refers to Tom Robinson.Tom Robinson.

The USA of Harper Lee…..The USA of Harper Lee…..

The USA of 1960, when the book was The USA of 1960, when the book was published, was on the verge of huge published, was on the verge of huge change. The Civil Rights Movement was change. The Civil Rights Movement was about to bring an end to racial about to bring an end to racial segregation .segregation .

Racial segregation……Racial segregation……

In that picture of Tom and In that picture of Tom and Atticus in the law court you will Atticus in the law court you will see that Tom is the only black see that Tom is the only black American on the first floor. American on the first floor.

Why?......Why?...... All the other black Americans All the other black Americans

have to sit in the balcony. They have to sit in the balcony. They could not sit in the same seats could not sit in the same seats as white Americans on the as white Americans on the buses, in movie theatres, and buses, in movie theatres, and on park benches, for example.on park benches, for example.

Here 2 men drink from Here 2 men drink from segregated water fountains.segregated water fountains.

So now……….So now……….

The novel is renowned for its The novel is renowned for its warmth and humor, and warmth and humor, and racial inequality. Atticus racial inequality. Atticus Finch, the narrator's father, Finch, the narrator's father,

has served as a moral hero has served as a moral hero for many readers, and a for many readers, and a model of integrity for lawyers. model of integrity for lawyers. One critic explained its impact One critic explained its impact by writing, “in the twentieth by writing, “in the twentieth century, TKAMB is probably century, TKAMB is probably the most widely read book the most widely read book dealing with race in America, dealing with race in America, and its protagonist, Atticus and its protagonist, Atticus Finch, the most enduring Finch, the most enduring fictional image offictional image of

racial heroism."racial heroism."[

Symbolism……Symbolism……

In that last still from the movie, In that last still from the movie, Atticus shoots dead a rabid Atticus shoots dead a rabid dog.dog.

What does this action What does this action symbolize? Why would Harper symbolize? Why would Harper Lee place the incident in her Lee place the incident in her narrative unless there was an narrative unless there was an ARTISTIC PURPOSE?ARTISTIC PURPOSE?

I think we can see that the I think we can see that the rabid dog represents racial rabid dog represents racial prejudice, and Attitus is the prejudice, and Attitus is the only man in town who can only man in town who can shoot the dog dead.shoot the dog dead.

Mrs. DuboseMrs. Dubose

.'" .'" Mrs. Dubose is addicted to the pain killer, morphine. She is Mrs. Dubose is addicted to the pain killer, morphine. She is dying, we suppose, from cancer, and she wants to die free of the dying, we suppose, from cancer, and she wants to die free of the drug.drug.

Atticus makes Jem read to her to distract her from the withdrawal Atticus makes Jem read to her to distract her from the withdrawal symptoms. She dies free and sends Jem a gift of an camellia. symptoms. She dies free and sends Jem a gift of an camellia.

Here are 2 important quotations from this incident, both spoken by Here are 2 important quotations from this incident, both spoken by Atticus, teaching his children lessons on life.Atticus, teaching his children lessons on life.

"'The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's "'The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.”conscience.”

'It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin 'It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.'“ – Mrs. Dubose won.sometimes you do.'“ – Mrs. Dubose won.

Flowers in the book….Flowers in the book….

What do these others flowers What do these others flowers represent/symbolize in the represent/symbolize in the book.? book.?

Harper Lee puts them in the Harper Lee puts them in the narrative for a narrative for a purpose………….purpose………….

The geraniums Mayella Ewell The geraniums Mayella Ewell keeps outside the shack where keeps outside the shack where she lives in abject poverty?she lives in abject poverty?

The flowers in Miss Maudie The flowers in Miss Maudie Atkinson’s garden, which she Atkinson’s garden, which she defends against the insults of defends against the insults of the Foot Washers?the Foot Washers?

Who is Boo Radley?Who is Boo Radley?

Boo Radley is a hidden character, a boy whose Boo Radley is a hidden character, a boy whose father’s over-zealous punishment subjected to father’s over-zealous punishment subjected to years hidden away in the house, so that he years hidden away in the house, so that he cannot function in ordinary society any more.cannot function in ordinary society any more.

His fate mirrors something of Tom Robinson’s His fate mirrors something of Tom Robinson’s fate, in that both are treated unfairly and fate, in that both are treated unfairly and Maycomb society accepts it.Maycomb society accepts it.

The children make friends with him and he puts The children make friends with him and he puts a blanket around Scout’s shoulders on the night a blanket around Scout’s shoulders on the night of the fire that destroyed Miss Maudie’s house, of the fire that destroyed Miss Maudie’s house, and he saves Jem’s life the night he rescues and he saves Jem’s life the night he rescues the children from Bob Ewell. He is like a the children from Bob Ewell. He is like a guardian angel, and the colour white is guardian angel, and the colour white is important in his description. He is a powerful important in his description. He is a powerful symbol of goodness swathed in an initial shroud symbol of goodness swathed in an initial shroud of creepiness, leaving little presents for Scout of creepiness, leaving little presents for Scout and Jem and emerging at an opportune and Jem and emerging at an opportune moment to save the children. An intelligent child moment to save the children. An intelligent child emotionally damaged by his cruel father, Boo emotionally damaged by his cruel father, Boo provides an example of the threat that evil provides an example of the threat that evil poses to innocence and goodness. He is one of poses to innocence and goodness. He is one of the novel’s “mockingbirds,” a good person the novel’s “mockingbirds,” a good person injured by the evil of mankind. injured by the evil of mankind.

Who are the Ewells?Who are the Ewells?

Bob EwellBob Ewell -  A drunken, mostly  -  A drunken, mostly unemployed member of Maycomb’s unemployed member of Maycomb’s poorest family. In his knowingly poorest family. In his knowingly wrongful accusation that Tom wrongful accusation that Tom Robinson raped his daughter, Ewell Robinson raped his daughter, Ewell represents the dark side of the South: represents the dark side of the South: ignorance, poverty, squalor, and hate-ignorance, poverty, squalor, and hate-filled racial prejudice. He is the rabid filled racial prejudice. He is the rabid dog, and dies at the end of the novel at dog, and dies at the end of the novel at the hand of Boo Radley.the hand of Boo Radley.

Mayella EwellMayella Ewell -  Bob Ewell’s lonely,  -  Bob Ewell’s lonely, unhappy daughter. Though one can unhappy daughter. Though one can pity Mayella because of her pity Mayella because of her overbearing father, who is probably overbearing father, who is probably sexually abusing her, as revealed by sexually abusing her, as revealed by Atticus’ cross examination in the court Atticus’ cross examination in the court house, one cannot pardon her for her house, one cannot pardon her for her treatment of Tom.treatment of Tom.

Who are some of the others?Who are some of the others? Miss Maudie AtkinsonMiss Maudie Atkinson (and her flowers) represents the good silent folk of the (and her flowers) represents the good silent folk of the

town who want Atticus to succeed.town who want Atticus to succeed. Sheriff TateSheriff Tate underwent a change. He did not question the accusation of rape underwent a change. He did not question the accusation of rape

against Tom (never sent for a doctor) but firmly decides not to lay charges against Tom (never sent for a doctor) but firmly decides not to lay charges against either Boo or Jem for the death of Ewell.against either Boo or Jem for the death of Ewell.

Mr. UnderwoodMr. Underwood -  The publisher of Maycomb’s newspaper. Mr. Underwood  -  The publisher of Maycomb’s newspaper. Mr. Underwood respects Atticus and proves his ally.respects Atticus and proves his ally.

Mr. Dolphus RaymondMr. Dolphus Raymond -  A wealthy white man who lives with his black  -  A wealthy white man who lives with his black mistress and mulatto children. Raymond pretends to be a drunk so that the mistress and mulatto children. Raymond pretends to be a drunk so that the citizens of Maycomb will have an explanation for his behavior. In reality, he is citizens of Maycomb will have an explanation for his behavior. In reality, he is simply jaded by the hypocrisy of white society and prefers living among blacks.simply jaded by the hypocrisy of white society and prefers living among blacks.

Mr. Walter CunninghamMr. Walter Cunningham -  A poor farmer and part of the mob that seeks to  -  A poor farmer and part of the mob that seeks to lynch Tom Robinson at the jail. Mr. Walter Cunningham displays his human lynch Tom Robinson at the jail. Mr. Walter Cunningham displays his human goodness when Scout’s politeness compels him to disperse the men at the jail.goodness when Scout’s politeness compels him to disperse the men at the jail.

The Children….The Children….

Jeremy Atticus “Jem” FinchJeremy Atticus “Jem” Finch - Scout’s  - Scout’s brother and constant play mate at the brother and constant play mate at the beginning of the story, is something of a typical beginning of the story, is something of a typical American boy, refusing to back down from American boy, refusing to back down from dares and fantasizing about playing football. dares and fantasizing about playing football. Four years older than Scout, he gradually Four years older than Scout, he gradually separates himself from her games, but he separates himself from her games, but he remains her close companion and protector remains her close companion and protector throughout the novel. Jem moves into throughout the novel. Jem moves into adolescence during the story, and his ideals adolescence during the story, and his ideals are shaken badly by the evil and injustice that are shaken badly by the evil and injustice that he perceives during the trial of Tom Robinson. he perceives during the trial of Tom Robinson.

Jean Louise “Scout” FinchJean Louise “Scout” Finch -  The narrator  -  The narrator and protagonist of the story. She is intelligent and protagonist of the story. She is intelligent and, by the standards of her time and place, a and, by the standards of her time and place, a tomboy. Scout has a combative streak and a tomboy. Scout has a combative streak and a basic faith in the goodness of the people in her basic faith in the goodness of the people in her community. As the novel progresses, this faith community. As the novel progresses, this faith is tested by the hatred and prejudice that is tested by the hatred and prejudice that emerge during Tom Robinson’s trial. Over emerge during Tom Robinson’s trial. Over time, Scout gains a more grown-up time, Scout gains a more grown-up perspective that enables her to appreciate perspective that enables her to appreciate human goodness without ignoring human evil. human goodness without ignoring human evil.

Some others……..Some others……..

Charles Baker “Dill” HarrisCharles Baker “Dill” Harris -  Jem and Scout’s summer neighbor and  -  Jem and Scout’s summer neighbor and friend. Dill is a diminutive, confident boy with an active imagination. He friend. Dill is a diminutive, confident boy with an active imagination. He becomes fascinated with Boo Radley and represents the perspective of becomes fascinated with Boo Radley and represents the perspective of childhood innocence throughout the novel.childhood innocence throughout the novel.

Aunt AlexandraAunt Alexandra -  Atticus’s sister, a strong-willed woman with a fierce  -  Atticus’s sister, a strong-willed woman with a fierce devotion to her family. Alexandra is the perfect Southern lady, and her devotion to her family. Alexandra is the perfect Southern lady, and her commitment to propriety and tradition often leads her to clash with Scout.commitment to propriety and tradition often leads her to clash with Scout.

She does defend Atticus from the gossip of some of the other ladies, and She does defend Atticus from the gossip of some of the other ladies, and stands by her brother to help him and the children during the trial, stands by her brother to help him and the children during the trial, although she wishes he had not agreed to defend Tom.although she wishes he had not agreed to defend Tom.

CalpurniaCalpurnia -  The Finches’ black cook. Calpurnia is a stern disciplinarian  -  The Finches’ black cook. Calpurnia is a stern disciplinarian and the children’s bridge between the white world and her own black and the children’s bridge between the white world and her own black community. She and her son can both read. Atticus refuses to dismiss her community. She and her son can both read. Atticus refuses to dismiss her when Aunt Alexandra wants him to let Cal go. She represents the when Aunt Alexandra wants him to let Cal go. She represents the goodness and the aspirations of the black community.goodness and the aspirations of the black community.

AtticusAtticus

Scout and Jem’s father, a lawyer in Scout and Jem’s father, a lawyer in Maycomb descended from an old local Maycomb descended from an old local family. A widower with a dry sense of family. A widower with a dry sense of humor, Atticus has instilled in his children humor, Atticus has instilled in his children his strong sense of morality and justice. his strong sense of morality and justice. He is one of the few residents of He is one of the few residents of Maycomb committed to racial equality. Maycomb committed to racial equality. When he agrees to defend Tom When he agrees to defend Tom Robinson, a black man charged with Robinson, a black man charged with raping a white woman, he exposes raping a white woman, he exposes himself and his family to the anger of the himself and his family to the anger of the white community. With his strongly held white community. With his strongly held convictions, wisdom, and empathy, convictions, wisdom, and empathy, Atticus acts as the novel’s moral Atticus acts as the novel’s moral backbone. Although his children’s backbone. Although his children’s attitudes to him change, he never attitudes to him change, he never changes, and the Maycomb community changes, and the Maycomb community still elect him as their representative in still elect him as their representative in the Georgia Senate year after year.the Georgia Senate year after year.

Quotations…a few Quotations…a few anywayanyway

I think there's just one kind of folks.  Folks.  Chapter I think there's just one kind of folks.  Folks.  Chapter 23, Scout.23, Scout.

Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don't pretend to understand.  Chapter 9, Atticus.don't pretend to understand.  Chapter 9, Atticus.

Neighbours bring food with death, and flowers with Neighbours bring food with death, and flowers with sickness, and little things in between. Boo was our sickness, and little things in between. Boo was our neighbour. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch neighbour. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a knife, and our lives. Scout .and chain, a knife, and our lives. Scout .

There's a black boy dead for no reason, and the man There's a black boy dead for no reason, and the man responsible for it's dead.  Let the dead bury the dead responsible for it's dead.  Let the dead bury the dead this time, Mr. Finch.  Let the dead bury the dead.“ this time, Mr. Finch.  Let the dead bury the dead.“ Sheriff Tate.Sheriff Tate.

""Atticus had used every tool available to free men to Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men's save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men's hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed." Chapter 25. Scout. screamed." Chapter 25. Scout.