Language Arts 9 assignment
Due Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Mrs. Marston

Choose one. Writing assignments must be handwritten and may be illustrated.
Novel - To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

H - 1. WRITE: Discuss in writing the symbolism in Chapter 15 (when Atticus confronts a mob 3 times in the days leading up to the trial).
In what way is Atticus’s stance at the door of the jail symbolic of his role throughout the book? What does the dark night symbolize?
Discuss the symbolism of the light that Atticus brings with him.
What does Atticus have with him to guard the basic human rights of Tom?
Compare Atticus’s actions in front of the jail with his actions in Chapter 10 when he confronts Tim Johnson.

2. WRITE: Describe the three times that mob mentality emerges in chapter 15. What were the intentions of the mob? How was Scout able to disperse the mob? How does Atticus explain who mobs are made up of?

H - 3. WRITE What does Jem say about Dolphus Raymond and his “mixed chillun”? (page 161 - 162) In what ways does Scout and Jem's discussion of "mixed" children demonstrate the irrationality of prejudice? In what ways is discrimination shown to be arbitrary and senseless?

4. WRITE a character sketch of Judge Taylor. Include physical and personality traits. Describe his actions during the first part of the trial.

H - 5. WRITE: Put yourself in the shoes of one of the people in the courtroom that day. (Judge Taylor, Heck Tate, Atticus, Tom Robinson, Bob Ewell, Mayella Ewell, Mr. Gilmer, court recorder, Reverend Sykes, jurors,
white spectators, colored spectators, Scout, Jem, Dill, Stephanie Crawford). What are you thinking and feeling about what is about to happen?

6. WRITE: the main points of Heck Tate’s evidence. What points does Mr. Ewell agree with?

H - 7 WRITE: Why is Scout not convinced that proving that Mr. Ewell was left-handed proves Tom Robinson’s innocence? Write whether you agree or disagree and why.

Writing tips:
Make the paragraph the unit of composition Use the active voice.
Put the statements in positive form. Use definite, specific, concrete language.
Omit needless words. Avoid a succession of loose sentences.
Express coordinate ideas in similar form. Keep related words together.
In summaries, keep to one tense. Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end.