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TKAM Chapter 1-11 (Russell)

Terms in this set (47)

What does the Radley house represent to the children?
mystery, intrigue, they think it's haunted, superstition surrounds it
What was the first "dare" made concerning the house?
that Jem wouldn't get past the Radley front gate
Who made the first dare and who carried it out?
Dill made it and Jem did it
How does Harper Lee make the house and the Radley's seem so mysterious?
description of the house, almost everything she says about them is hearsay/gossip - is it really true?? (this information comes from Miss Stephanie)
Briefly describe the Finch family background. What was the "disturbance between the North and the South"?
the Civil War; Finch family has deep Southern roots, but Atticus and Jack have broken with tradition by leaving Finch's Landing; Alexandra stays behind - she is the spokesperson for tradition in the novel
Explain the differences between Dill's family situation and the Finch family.
Dill is passed from family member to family member; the Finches are very close-knit
Who is Jean Louise?
Scout, narrator, tomboy, Jem's little sister
What is the difference between Jem and Scout's reaction to school?
Scout hates it, Jem loves it, he tells her it will get better - Jem is more accepting of school
What does Scout tell Miss Caroline about Walter Cunningham? Why does she tell her?
that the Cunninghams never take anything they can't pay back; Scout respects people for their integrity
How does Atticus explain the Ewell family?
he talks about compromise, he says they are members of an "exclusive society" that don't have to obey the law
According to Atticus, why must Scout attend school?
she's a member of the common folk and they must obey the law
Describe what you know so far about Atticus' personality.
lawyer, very tan, logical, tries to put himself in other people's shoes to understand their problems, patient, gentle, listens when kids talk, tolerant of other people
What 'treasures' do Scout and Jem find in the Radley's oak tree? How do these finds heighten the mystery of the Radley house?
2 pieces of chewing gum, small box with 2 Indian head pennies - someone is using the Radley tree as a hiding place
What is one of the stories the children tell about Boo?
he dies years ago and they stuffed him in the chimney; he bit off Mrs. Radley's finger
How does Atticus react to the children's dramatizations about the Radley family?
He stays calm and tells them their game better not be about the Radleys
Who is Miss Maudie Atkinson? Describe the children's relationship with her.
Lives across from the Finches, reasonable, children like her - especially Scout (she grows closer to her when Jem and Dill become close)
Describe Jem's attempt to deliver a note to Boo. What does Atticus do when he discovers what Jem, Dill and Scout are attempting?
They use a fishing pole , attach a note to the end of it, try to stick it through a shutter; Atticus simply tells the kids that he hopes they will stop tormenting Boo - it's none of their business
Why do Jem, Dill, and Scout wait until the last night of summer to try to peek into the Radley's back window?
Because if Boo kills them they will miss school instead of summer vacation
Describe in detail what happens when the children are caught in their prank.
They lie to the adults about playing strip poker by the fishpool, Jem says Dill won his pants
What is significant about the neighbors' conclusion as to whom they think was in the Radley's yard.
They think it was a "Negro" - shows the prejudice and racism in the town
How does Scout feel about second grade?
Doesn't like it - worse than first grade; she does like that she gets to go home with Jem
What does Jem reveal to Scout about his pants and who does he think is responsible?
They were poorly sewn up - thinks the Radleys did it
What five additional treasures do Jem and Scout find in the Radley oak? Why do they think the treasures are for them?
2 dolls carved out of soap, pack of gum, medal, pocket watch with aluminum knife
The children suspect various characters as having left the treasures. Cite each "suspicious" character and the reason why Jem and Scout eliminate each possibility.
-Mr. Avery - he carves
-Miss Stephanie's sweetheart - he lives in the country
-Miss Maudie - can't chew gum and she probably wouldn't have a watch and chain
What does Mr. Nathan Radley do to the oak tree and how do Jem and Scout react?
He fills it with cement, the kids get very upset and Jem cries
Why does Scout react to the snow by yelling "The world's endin', Atticus...!"
She's never seen it before and doesn't know what it is
What is the significance of the reference point of Appomattox in Mr. Avery's remark, "It hasn't snowed in Maycomb since Appomattox."?
Uses it to comment on how long it's been since it snowed in Maycomb - reference to Civil War
Why do you think Boo Radley covered Scout as she watched the fire? How did she react when she learned the identity of her benefactor?
Because he's nice - she almost throws up when she finds out it's him
What character traits does Miss Maudie show when she reacts to the burning of her house?
She's optimistic - she hated her house and thought of burning it herself
What is Maycomb's "usual disease"? Who coined this phrase?
The tendency of people in the community to just follow what everyone else does - not to think for themselves; coined by Atticus
What does Cecil Jacobs announce at school about Atticus, and what does Scout do about it?
He said that Atticus defends "nig.gers"; she prepares to fight him
Who is Tom Robinson? Why is Atticus defending him? Why does Judge Taylor
appoint Atticus?
Black man that Atticus is defending; says if he didn't defend him he couldn't hold his head up in town; Judge Taylor appoints him because he thinks he's the only one who can handle it
For what does Scout receive a spanking from Uncle John? Why does Atticus believe she deserved it?
For fighting with her cousin Franics; she deserves it because Atticus had already warned her about fighting
What comparison does Scout use to describe her relationship with Aunt Alexandra and what does this reveal about her character?
compares her aunt to Mt. Everest - "she was cold and there"; shows that Alexandra is stuck in her ways
Explain Scout's reasoning regarding her "cussing frequently."
She thinks that Atticus will think she learned it at school and she won't have to go back
What has Scout learned about injustice from Miss Caroline and the townspeople?
She learns that everyone is going to judge Atticus because he's defending a black man - they're prejudice
Explain why Scout is upset that Attucs is "so old."
b/c he wasn't like the other fathers - she didn't think anyone admired him
Why does Atticus tell the children about mockingbirds? How does Miss Maudie help this explanation?
b/c they were learning how to shoot - Maudie says they only make music for people to enjoy
Why does the sheriff ask Atticus to shoot Tom Johnson?
b/c Atticus is the best shot in Maycomb County
What explanation does Miss Maudie give for Atticus putting his gun down 30 years ago?
Atticus realized that God gave him an unfair advantage over most living things, so he wouldn't shoot unless he had to
What does Jem tell Scout to do about their father's shooting of the dog?
Don't say anything about it
What does Atticus do that causes Scout to say he was the "bravest man who ever lived"?
He talks to Mrs. Dubose
What does Jem do to Mrs. Dubose's camellia bushes and why?
Uses Scout's baton to cut off the tops of all of them b/c she was saying mean things to them about Atticus and his family
What does Mrs. Dubose want from Jem as payment for his crime?
Come to her everyday after school and Saturdays for a month and read to her
How does Atticus explain the term "nig.ger-lover" to Scout?
Says it doesn't mean anything - ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody is favoring Negroes over and above themselves
What change had occurred in Mrs. Dubose by the last week Scout and Jem went to her home?
Instead of the alarm clock sounding to release them, Mrs. Dubose would just say, "that'll do" and allow them to leave
How does Atticus explain "courage" to Jem?
It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what
THIS SET IS OFTEN IN FOLDERS WITH...