YR 11/ Literature - Mockingbird essay plans/CT - Narration

Lee chooses Scout as narrator for the novel. In what way does it accomplish Lee’s purpose to have a young, innocent narrator? Can she make a profound statement about the hypocrisy of society? Explain your answer.

Outline
I.Thesis Statement: Through Scout’s innocent point-of-view, the reader sees Maycomb society with its barriers of class, race, and sex.

II. “Different kinds of folks”
A. Jem
1. Ordinary folks like the Finches and neighbors
2. The Ewells
3. The Cunninghams
4. The Negroes
B. Aunt Alexandra
1. Heredity
2. Shortcomings in other tribal groups
C. Scout
1. Says that “Folks is folks”
2. Less prejudiced than most other characters

III. Sees evidence of racial differentiation
A. Said Calpurnia was “supposed to use back door”
B. Jury was white men from outside town
C. Is told by Reverend Sykes that he “ain’t ever seen any jury decide in favor of a colored man over a white man. . . .”

IV. Sex lines in Maycomb
A. Women not on a jury
B. Expect girls to act and dress in a certain way
C. Southern womanhood

Y11/ Literature/To Kill a Mockingbird/Themes/CT - Lessons Atticus teaches his children

tticus teaches many lessons to his children. What are some of the lessons that Atticus taught? How does he teach his lessons? Cite examples from the novel.

Outline
I. Thesis Statement: Atticus teaches many lessons to his children through his examples and through his patient lessons.

II. Lessons
A. Answer children when they ask you something
B. Do not hurt the defenseless
C. Be the same in public as in private
D. Use compromise when possible
E. Try to crawl into someone else’s skin

III. Means of instruction
A. Tells brother to do so and does himself
B. Example
C. Example
D. Shows Scout how to do so by doing with her
E. Mentions many, many times to children

Y11/ Literature/To Kill a Mockingbird/Themes/CT -Atticus Finch and Bob Ewell

Topic #2
Both Atticus and Bob Ewell are important characters in the novel. Compare and contrast these important characters.

Outline
I. Thesis Statement: In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird there are similarities and differences between Atticus and Bob Ewell, but the differences outweigh the similarities.

II. Similarities
A. Fathers
B. Single parents
C. Set examples for their children

III. Differences
A. Atticus Finch
1. Same in public as private
2. Set example of honesty and concern for others to children
3. Did not use corporal punishment
4. Works as lawyer
B. Bob Ewell
1. Does evil works in secrecy
a. Scares Helen Robinson when she is alone
b. Cuts judge’s screen
c. Attacks children at night when they are alone
2. Sets contentious example for children
3. Beats children
4. Does not hold job

YR 11/ Literature - Mockingbird essay plans/CT

Topic #1
The theme of the mockingbird is an important one in To Kill a Mockingbird. Write a paper on the mockingbird theme in Harper Lee’s only book. Be sure to tell what a mockingbird is and tell exactly why both Boo and Tom are mockingbirds. Are fears and superstitions associated with the mockingbird theme, with Boo, and/or with Tom? Explain your answer.

Outline
I. Thesis Statement: Harper Lee uses the mockingbird theme with both Boo and Tom as examples and with fears and superstitions attached to the mockingbird and both characters.

II. Definition of a mockingbird
A. Songbird
B. Gives its music
C. Expects nothing in return
D. Does no harm
E. Sin to kill mockingbird

III. Boo
A. Like the songbird
B. Gives gifts in tree and in end protects children
C. Expects no gifts or favors in return
D. Does no harm
E. Sin to harm or kill Boo

IV. Tom
A. Like the songbird
B. Gives gifts of labor
C. Expects no gifts or favors in return
D. Does no harm
E. Sin to harm or kill Tom

V. Superstitions attached to each
A. Mockingbird
1. Sin to kill
2. Spends life giving
B. Boo
1. Rumors spread about him
2. Fear attached to him and the Radley Place
C. Tom
1. Rumors spread about him
2. Fears associated with him and his race
a. “No lady safe in her bed” (Mrs. Farrow)
b. “Sin to kill a cripple” (Underwood)

Mockingbird Questions

Chapter 16
1. Describe Judge Taylor. What do you think was unusual about him? What kind of courtroom did he run?

2. Describe the day of the trial in Maycomb. Is there another event in a small town to which the event could be likened? Why do you think so many people attended?

Chapter 17
1. Describe the Ewell home. Compare it and contrast it to the home in which Scout and Jem had grown up in Maycomb.

2. Why did Jem think Tom would be found innocent? Why was Scout more hesitant to believe that way?

Chapter 18
1. Is Mayella telling the truth or is she lying? What does she say and do in court that makes you feel this way?

2. Describe Atticus’ behavior in court toward Mayella. How do you think he feels about her and what she says?

Chapter 19
1. Contrast and compare the style of Atticus’ and Gilmer’s cross-examinations.

2. Compare and contrast Mayella’s and Tom’s style of answering questions and compare their testimonies. How are they alike? How are they different?

Chapter 20
1. Give a of Atticus’s final speech to the jury. Why do you think that he loosened his clothing and removed his coat before he began?

2. Describe Atticus’s view of lies and immorality. Do you think his view is typical of most of Maycomb society? Why, or why not?

3. What was the unwritten social code that Mayella broke? Are there unwritten social codes that Atticus himself has in his life?

Chapter 21
1. Describe Atticus’ actions after the trial. What was the significance of each action?

2. What impressions did Scout have as she waited for the decision?

Chapter 22
1. How did many people show their appreciation to Atticus? What does Atticus say and do when he sees their response to him?

2. What did Miss Maudie do for the children to make them feel better the morning after the trial? What did she say to them that made them feel better? Do you think she believed what she told them? Why do you believe this way?

Chapter 23
1. What were the four kinds of people in the world according to Jem? According to Jem’s grouping system, where would Little Chuck Little who helped calm Miss Caroline when she saw the cootie be placed? Do you agree with Jem that the Finch family in Maycomb was in a different group than the Ewell family? Why?

2. Mr. Ewell spat in Atticus’s face. What were some reasons Atticus did not fight back? Which man had greater courage?

Chapter 24
1. Aunt Alexandra is trying to teach Scout to be a lady. From what went on at the meeting, what is a lady, according to Miss Maudie’s example? according to Aunt Alexandra’s example? according to Scout’s thoughts?

2. What is a missionary circle? Describe the women’s missionary meeting. Is there any irony evident at the meeting? Explain.

Chapter 25
1. Tell about Mr. Underwood’s editorial. To what does he compare Tom? Is this a good analogy? Why?

2. Compare and contrast the Robinson Place with the Radley Place. Do ghosts exist at both places? Explain.

Chapter 26
1. Why did Miss Gates use current events in her class? Knowing what Miss Gates said on the courthouse steps, are there any inconsistencies in what she says in the classroom and what she does and says outside the class? How is this similar or different from Atticus?

2. Compare a democracy and a dictatorship. How are they different?

Chapter 27
1. Why was Robert Ewell bitter, according to Atticus? How did he show his bitterness?

2. Compare and contrast the break-in on the Barber sisters’ house and the attempted break-in on Judge Taylor’s house.

3. Describe in detail Scout’s costume for the pageant.

Chapter 28
1. Describe the Maycomb Halloween celebration.

2. What events contributed most to the confrontation that occurs after the celebration?

Chapter 29
1. Describe what happened after the children arrive home. Why did Boo decide to stay at the Finch home instead of sneaking back home? What feelings do you think Boo was experiencing?

2. Describe Boo Radley. Compare and contrast his true description with the description that the children held of him in Part One.

3. In Part One Scout called Arthur Radley, “Boo.” Miss Maudie tells her to call him, “Arthur.” She thinks of him as Mr. Arthur on her way home from third grade. When she sees him for the first time, she calls him, “Boo.” What is the significance of each of these names?

Chapter 30
1. Tell Atticus’s story of the murder and what he thought should be done.

2. What did Sheriff Tate want to do about the murder and why?

Chapter 31
1. What could be seen from Arthur’s porch?

2. Are there indications in the chapter that Boo is sick and will die?

Mockingbird Questions

To Kill a Mockingbird | Suggested Essay Topics

Chapter 1
1. Describe Boo Radley, through the eyes of Jem and Scout Finch. Discuss his habits, his appearance, and his actions.

2. After defining the words “Caste” and “Class,” describe the caste and class system in Maycomb. Do you think such a system would still exist in the town today? Why, or why not?

Chapter 2
1. Contrast the teaching styles of Atticus Finch and Miss Caroline Fisher.

2. Describe the outward appearance and the actions of Miss Caroline. Are there any contradictions between the two?

Chapter 3
1. Contrast Atticus Finch’s idea of the law and Mr. Radley’s idea of the law.

2. Compare and contrast Walter Cunningham and Burris Ewell.

Chapter 4
1. What evidence does one have that Boo Radley is trying to make friends with the children?

2. How is Scout growing and maturing as the story progresses?

Chapter 5
1. Explain why Miss Maudie Atkinson would be a good friend for a young, motherless girl to have.

2. What lessons did Atticus Finch try to teach the children when he found them using a fishing line to give a message to Arthur Radley?

Chapter 6
1. Why did Jem return for his pants?

2. Why were the children going to spy on Arthur Radley on the last night of summer?

Chapter 7
1. What were the six gifts placed in the tree? Why do you think those gifts were chosen?

2. What are the children beginning to think of Boo as a person?

Chapter 8
1. Describe Miss Maudie’s reactions to her home burning. Tell why she was able to behave in this way.

2. Describe the colors of the snowman/woman. Tell how the colors relate to Maycomb. Describe the outward appearance of the snow person and how it changes. Describe the interior of the snow person. Is there symbolism relating to gender bias here? Why, or why not?

Chapter 9
1. Compare and contrast Atticus and Jack. Consider their methods of disciplining Scout. How are they the same? How are they different? Which person do you think is more effective in getting the desired result? Why do you believe this is true?

2. Describe the outward pressures on Scout to “become a lady.” Do you think Atticus applies the same pressures? Why, or why not? Why do you think Atticus behaves in this way?

Chapter 10
1. Atticus had many accomplishments. What were some of these? Jem and Scout did not recognize their father’s accomplishments, they wanted him to distinguish himself in other ways. When Atticus killed the dog, Jem decided to keep this silent. Why do you think this happened?

2. Contrast marksmanship with playing the piano, according to Miss Maudie. Explain why Atticus refused to hunt.

Chapter 11
1. Describe Mrs. Dubose. Describe her home. Does the setting in which Mrs. Dubose lives seem suited to her personality? Explain.

2. According to Atticus, what is real courage? Give examples of real courage you have seen in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Chapter 12
1. Describe the double life that Calpurnia leads. Why does she lead this double life?

2. Compare and contrast the church service in Calpurnia’s church with a church service in Jem and Scout’s church. Why do the differences occur? Do you think the church services in the two churches will become more alike or more different as time goes by? Why?

Chapter 13
1. Compare and contrast Scout’s and Alexandra’s definitions of “a fine person.”

2. Both Jem and Atticus tell Scout that it is not time to worry. What does this tell you about the speakers?

Chapter 14
1. Compare Dill’s fictional and factual accounts of running away.

2. What evidence do you see that Jem is growing up? What evidence do you see that Jem is not yet an adult?

Chapter 15
1. Compare and contrast the events of the Saturday night and the events of Sunday evening.

2. Discuss the bravery of the children, especially in contrast to the cowardly mob.

YR 11/ Literature - Macbeth Quotes/CT

What hands are here? Ha, they pluck out mine eyes!
Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand?
(2.1)

In the same scene, Macbeth expresses anguish, realizing that nothing will be able to wipe the guilt from his conscience. He proclaims, figuratively, that nothing can wash the blood from his hands, not even all of Neptune's ocean.

Here's the smell of the blood still:
all the perfumes of Arabia
will not sweeten this little hand. Oh, oh, oh!
(2.1)

As the play progresses, Lady Macbeth deteriorates under the psychological burden of her deeds. Just as Macbeth proclaimed earlier with a similar figure of speech, she realizes that nothing can clear her conscience. Finally, in act V, her guilt becomes too great, and she commits suicide.

Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
(5.5)

Macbeth's famous words after being told of Lady Macbeth's death; he is filled with anguish, and a expresses a view found in many of Shakespeare's characters, that of life and its seeming futility.