Language Arts 9 assignment
Due Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Mrs. Marston

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

1. In this story, we see a wide range of attitudes displayed by different characters. Select at least 3 of the following, find examples in the text of some things that each of them thinks or believes. Summarize each one’s beliefs and outlook:
• Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose
• Aunt Alexandra
• Mr. Dolphus Raymond
• Jem
• Miss Maudie Atkinson
• Dill
• Reverend Sykes
Illustrate a scene in which each of the 3 characters appears.

2. Obviously, racism is a major theme of the novel. During the Depression era, blacks were not permitted to commingle with whites in public settings, as exemplified in the courthouse physical separation of races and in the clearly distinct black and white areas of town. Throughout the novel, Scout explores the differences between black people and white people. Write about the ways the following characters help her explore these differences and similarities:
Calpurnia Reverend Sykes Dolphus Raymond Tom Robinson
Miss Maudie Judge Taylor Atticus
Which of these characters have influenced your ideas about racism?
Draw the places where Scout interacted with these people.

3. What kind of town is Maycomb, Alabama? How does Lee create such a vivid sense of the particular place and time in which her story is set? What details about the town, its history and its inhabitants, make the place feel real? Why is the setting important for the story?
Draw a map or an illustration of Maycomb as you understand it from the text.

4. When Scout complains about her teacher, Atticus tells her that “if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” [p. 33]. Where in the novel does Atticus himself demonstrate this kind of empathy? How does he regard those who criticize, ridicule, or threaten him? How would this ability to empathize with others help solve the problems that arise from racism and prejudice?

5. What qualities make Atticus such an appealing figure? What beliefs does he live by? Does his behavior conform to his ideals? How does he impart his ideals to his children and his community? Is he a believable character, or too good to be true?
Make drawings of objects that represent Atticus (glasses, pocket watch, hat, handkerchief, extension cord and light, book, newspaper, vest . . .)

6. If you have seen the movie: Having seen the film of To Kill a Mockingbird and having read the book, discuss which version seems more powerful to you and why. How does the movie differ from the book? How have the screenwriter, director, and actors reshaped the material of the story to make the film? Do you agree with their choices?
Illustrate scenes from the movie and scenes from the book that were not in the movie.

7. Trace the theme of the mockingbird throughout the novel and analyze what the bird symbolizes or represents.

8. At the end of the book, Scout escorts Boo Radley back to his home. After Boo closes the door, she imagines how he has witnessed all the happenings of the recent years. Describe these events. As she steps into Boo’s shoes, what does she realize?
Illustrate the Radley house and the live oak tree.

9. This story is full of comparisons and contrasts. Here are some examples:

• Past and present
• Old people and young people
• Men (boys) and women (girls)
• Justice and injustice
• Progress and tradition
• Innocence and experience
• Light and shade
• Danger and security

If you think this list is missing something, then add it. Choose the five most important areas of comparison or contrast and cite examples in the text.
Illustrate these contrasting images.

10. Scout’s understanding of good and evil in the world grows and changes as she experiences the events of the novel. Write about how her ideas shifted. Write about how your ideas of racism, courage, empathy have changed as you have explored the events and themes of this novel.