To Kill a Mockingbirdch. 10 Wherein Scout begrudges her father’s age, Miss Maudie explains why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird, and Atticus Finch is persuaded to put down a rabid dog.
The Chapter starts with Scout bemoaning the fact that Atticus didn’t act like the other kids’ parents because he was nearly fifty. • Read through the beginning of chapter 10 on page 89 and mentally list the things that Scout claimed Atticus didn’t do. “Atticus was feeble…”
Uncle Jack Finch has given Scout and Jem air rifles for Christmas. Before they try them out, Atticus says “I’d rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee, 90). • According to Miss Maudie, why is it a sin to kill a mockingbird? • Write down her quote as well as 2-3 sentences explaining why you think Harper Lee decided to title her book To Kill A Mockingbird. The Mockingbird
Rabies: A viral infection that attacks the brain, resulting in difficulty swallowing, violent behavior, and eventually death. • After Jem spots a rabid dog, Atticus and Heck Tate (the sheriff) arrive to deal with the situation. Let’s read this section together, starting on the bottom of page 94. • DISCUSS: Why is Atticus reluctant to talk about his marksmanship abilities? • P. 98, Miss Maudie offers us some insight. • In your notebooks, write a ½ page response to Miss Maudie’s theory about Atticus Finch. What does this show us about Atticus’s character? “One-Shot” Finch
To Kill a Mockingbirdch. 11 Wherein Scout and Jem face the wrath of Mrs. Lafayette Dubose, perform an act of charity, and realize the meaning of courage.
A woman who lives close to the Finches. • 90+ years old. • Let’s read a little bit about her on page 99. • DISCUSS: What do Jem and Scout think of her? Mrs. Lafayette Dubose
After Mrs. Dubose delivers some particularly harsh judgments on Atticus, Jem takes his revenge (p. 102). • But there are consequences! Read p. 105 and write down what Jem has to do to make restitution for his attack on Mrs. Dubose’s flowerbed. • DISCUSS: Why does Atticus take Mrs. Dubose’s side despite her opinion of him and his family? Jem’s Revenge and the Consequences Thereof
When Scout and Jem arrive for their first day of reading to Mrs. Dubose, they notice something peculiar (p. 106). • When they finish their month with Mrs. Dubose, Atticus arrives with some unsettling news (p. 110). • WRITING ASSIGNMENT 1: Put yourself in Jem’s position. After putting up with her verbal abuse, reading to her, and hearing of her death, what are some of the thoughts that might be going through his mind? Write a 1-2 paragraph response in your notebooks. Mrs. Dubose’s Affliction
At the end of the chapter, Atticus and Jem have a conversation about courage (p. 112). • WRITING ASSIGNMENT 2: What does Atticus’s definition of courage mean to you? Write 1-2 paragraphs about a time in your life when you felt like the odds were stacked against you, but you continued anyway. It might have to do with school, sports, or simply standing up for the right thing. “The Bravest Person I Ever Knew”
To Kill A Mockingbirdch. 15 Wherein local tensions rise about the Tom Robinson case and Scout learns about mob mentality.
The beginning of this chapter finds the Finches at home one evening. • But they are soon interrupted… (p. 145-146) • DISCUSS: What is the group worried about? “Do You Really Think So?”
Anticipating trouble, Atticus heads to the Maycomb jail to watch over Tom. • Scout, Jem, and Dill sneak out to investigate. • Late in the evening, the locals return with a more hostile attitude (p. 151-152) • PREDICT: What’s going to happen with Atticus and the angry mob? The Mob
As the mob’s tensions rise, Scout does something uncommonly brave (p. 153-154) • DISCUSS: What is the result of Scout’s conversation with Mr. Cunningham? • WRITING ASSIGNMENT: In your writing notebooks, write a ½ page response to the following prompt: • What do you think “mob mentality” is? What are some things that cause it? Why do you think that people act differently in a large group? What are some historical problems that have been the result of mob mentality? Scout Intervenes
The Trial To Kill A Mockingbirdch. 16-21
The Prosecution The Defense Atticus Finch: The defending attorney Tom Robinson: The accused • Mr. Gilmer: The prosecuting attorney • MayellaEwell: The alleged victim • Bob Ewell: The father of the victim and witness Important Characters
Let’s read Scout’s description of this family together on page 170. • DISCUSS: Based on Scout’s description of their property, what kind of people do you think the Ewells are? The Ewells
Bob Ewell MayellaEwell Group 2 will read Mayella’s testimony, from page 178 to 188 As you read, make a list of the facts that Mayella reveals in her testimony. • Group 1 will read Bob’s testimony, from page 171 to 178. • As you read, make a list of the facts that Bob reveals in his testimony. The Prosecution
How does each witness behave in court? • How does each witness treat Atticus? • Do you feel like they speak confidently, or do you feel like they’re uncomfortable with their testimonies? What To Look For
Based on the facts that you have gathered about Bob or Mayella, make a CLAIM about that person’s testimony. Then back up your claim with some of the facts that you found during your reading. • This assignment should be 1 to 1.5 pages long. Writing Assignment
Read Tom Robinson’s testimony starting on p. 190 (the beginning of chapter 19). • Make a list of any evidence/information that you learn about him. The Defense
During Mr. Gilmer’s questioning of Tom Robinson Scout takes Dill outside because he started crying. • Let’s read about this together (p. 198) • DISCUSS: What made Dill start crying? Dill’s Reaction
Married to an African American woman. • Prefers the company of African Americans. • Always seen drinking from a brown bag. Mr. Dolphus Raymond
Outside the courthouse, Dolphus has an interesting conversation with Scout and Dill. • Read the beginning of ch. 20 (pp. 199-201) and write down three things that you learned about Dolphus Raymond. Dolphus and Dill
In your Writing Notebooks, respond to the following quote: “He jerked his head at Dill: “Things haven’t caught up with that one’s instinct yet. Let him get a little older and he won’t get sick and cry. Maybe things’ll strike him as being—not quite right, say, but he won’t cry, not when he gets a few years on him. “Cry about what, Mr. Raymond?” Dill’s maleness was beginning to assert itself. “Cry about the simple hell people give other people—without even thinking. Cry about the hell white people give colored folks, without even stopping to think that they’re people, too.” (p. 201) Writing Assignment
To Kill A Mockingbirdch. 24 Wherein Scout learns more about becoming a lady, and tragedy befalls the Robinson family.
What is “hypocrisy”? • Mrs. Merriweatherhas been telling the other ladies about the missionary efforts of J. Grimes Everett in Africa. • She claims to be concerned for the welfare of the African people, but her attitude towards the African American community in Maycomb is hostile at best. The Missionary Circle
After Mrs. Merriweather makes a thinly veiled comment about Atticus, Miss Maudie steps in (p. 233). Aunt Alexandra gratefully accepts her help in this negative social situation. • Discuss this situation with a partner: “Suppose you are Scout Finch and you see this conversation take place. How would it make you feel about Mrs. Merriweather, Miss Maudie, and Aunt Alexandra?” Miss Maudie
Atticus interrupts the meeting with some tragic news. • Let’s read together on p. 235. • WRITING ASSIGNMENT: In your notebooks, write ½ page analyzing the following quote: “I guess Tom was tired of white men’s chances and preferred to take his own.” What Happens to Tom Robinson?
What is symbolism? • Why is it a sin to kill a mockingbird? • In small groups (no more than 3 people) read chapter 25. There are two events that relate to the sin of killing mockingbirds, and I want you to find them in your reading. • When you have found them, I want you to complete a group document that explains the following: • What were the two events? • How do these two events relate back to the sin of killing a mockingbird? • Why do you think that Harper Lee includes these two events in this chapter? Symbolism
To Kill A Mockingbird Ch. 28-29 Wherein Scout impersonates a cured ham, Jem breaks his arm, and the reclusive Boo Radley is introduced.
Bob Ewell, Creeper • After the trial, Bob Ewell demonstrated his feelings towards Atticus by spitting in his face and swearing revenge on him. • What could this mean for the Finches? “I Wish He Wouldn’t Chew Tobacco…”
Scout is chosen to portray a ham for a school play, and Jem agrees to walk her to and from school. • She refers to this as her “longest journey” with Jem. What might this foreshadow? “Thus Began Our Longest Journey.”
On their way home, Jem and Scout soon realize that they’re not alone… • Open your books to page 260 and read along with me! The Schoolyard Incident
Evidence Conclusion With a partner, discuss each suspect and whether or not they could have killed Bob Ewell. Write a 2-3 paragraph statement explaining who you think killed Bob and how you came to that conclusion. • Bob Ewell has been stabbed. • The only people present were Scout, Jem, and a mysterious man who is later revealed as Boo Radley. “Hey, Boo.”
This novel is packed with expertly written words of wisdom. Your job is to find a few of these and apply them to your daily lives. • Find 5 (five) quotes or passages from the book that you feel are “words of wisdom” and copy them down on a piece of paper. • For each quote, write 1-2 paragraphs describing how it applies to your life, culture, and beliefs. • DUE NEXT TIME, WHICH IS THE SAME DAY AS YOUR TKAM FINAL EXAM! Pearls of Wisdom
The purpose of this assignment is to compare the film’s version of a character to your own. • Choose the character from the film that you thought most resembled your version of the character from the book and write 1-2 paragraphs explaining the similarities that you found. • Choose the character from the film that you thought least resembled your version of the character from the book and write 1-2 paragraphs explaining the differences that you found. Character Study