To Kill A Mockingbird and Chapter

Week 1 Introducing “To Kill A Mockingbird” [pic] By the end of this week students should be able to: • Complete a journal entry of their understanding of the novel. To Kill A Mockingbird The main text for study this semester is To Kill a Mockingbird, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Harper Lee published in 1960. The novel is loosely based on the author's observations of her family and neighbours, as well as an event that occurred near her hometown when she was 10 years old. Lee's novel is widely taught in schools in English speaking countries with lessons that tie into tolerance and prejudice.

The novel addresses themes such as courage, racial injustice, the death of innocence, tragedy, and coming of age, set against a backdrop of life in the Deep South. The character of Atticus Finch, the narrator's father, has served as a moral hero for many readers, and a singular model of integrity for lawyers. One writer noted its impact in saying, "In the twentieth century, To Kill a Mockingbird is probably the most widely read book dealing with race in America, and its protagonist, Atticus Finch, the most enduring fictional image of racial heroism. "

To Kill a Mockingbird has proven to be not only an extraordinarily influential book, but a controversial one as well. Initially perceived as a novel addressing racial justice, To Kill a Mockingbird has been the target of various campaigns to have it removed from public classrooms, often for its use of racial epithets. Reading Goals and Workbook Before delving into the book make yourself regular reading goals. These will help you stay motivated with your reading and not forget any characters or important details! Two or three chapters a day or 30 minutes of reading each day is an excellent start.

Also know your “peak time”. People work best at different times of the day, and only you know when you work most efficiently. Figure out when you seem to be more focused and organise your reading around that! This semester you will also be keeping a workbook (word document or exercise book); which you will be submitting at the end of the semester. There will be certain tasks we will be asking you to complete in your workbook and which you can post in My Online Journal in Janison if you wish to share these with other students.

You should use your workbook as a tool to jot down your initial responses to topics, your reflections on particular ideas and so on. You can review and reflect upon your weekly work in your workbook. This is similar to the weekly reflections you completed at the end of each week in semester 1. You can also use your workbook to build up your English vocabulary. Every time you come across an unknown or unfamiliar word jot it down in your workbook and then work out its definition. If you choose to post some of your reflections online, you will find instructions on how to do this on pages 9-10.

However, be mindful that if you choose to post your reflections online it will be accessible by other students and teachers. Therefore, if you do not wish to share your personal thoughts/reflections with others then you should not post these online. Instead it would be best to use a workbook (word document or exercise book) to store these reflections, and only post the required ‘Journal’ tasks online To Kill A Mockingbird Guide To Kill A Mockingbird is a great read! It is divided into two parts and comprises a total of thirty-one chapters. Part one introduces us to Maycomb and its inhabitants and the three major storylines in the novel:

In Part two the racism in their community is revealed to the children through the trial of Tom Robinson. They learn about the positive and negative sides to human nature and solve the mystery of Boo Radley. Below and over the next few pages are questions that should help you find what is important in the novel and could prove useful for you understanding the plot, characters and themes in the book. Also they could be useful when you need to refer back to each chapter during your study of ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’. You do not have to answer the questions; they can act as points to summarize what happens in each chapter.

However, you can choose to answer these questions by recording them in your workbook, or you can use chapter questions as a guide to writing a short summary about each chapter. Chapter-by-Chapter questions Activity 1: I Knew That! And now I know… As you read the novel “To Kill A Mockingbird”, list five important things that you already knew about life in America in the 1930’s and five important things that you have learned. This task can be completed in you’re My Online Journal if you wish. If you complete it online, let your teacher know the date of your entry. I Knew… | |1. | | | |2. | | | |3. | | | |4. | | | |5. | | | Now I know… | |1. | | | |2. | | | |3. | | | |4. | | | |5. | | |

Instructions for Setting up your Online Blog… Go to www. distance. vic. edu. au and click on online courses. Your login is your DECV number and your password is your 8 digit date of birth, yearmonthday. For example, if your date of birth is 15th June 1992, then your password is 19920615. (Note that this is the backwards version of how you would normally write your birth date. ) Once you have logged in on the left side you will notice a tool bar with a list of all the subjects you are doing with the DECV. Click on ENGLISH UNIT 4 YEAR 9/10.

The front page of the Year 10 English course will open. Go to the left side tool bar and Click on ‘My Online Journal’. My Online Journal area will open. Now it is time to make your first journal entry. Go to the right side of the ‘My Online Journal’ page and click on Create New Entry under the heading ACTIONS. A new page will open up titled EDIT/CREATE BLOG ENTRY. Tick the box USE TEXT EDITOR. The page will automatically refresh. You will notice that the Text Editor works like a Microsoft Word document. So anything you can do in a word document you can do on this page.

Experiment a little bit with the different tools before you make your blog entry. You need to use the Create New Entry and USE TEXT EDITOR buttons every time you make a new blog entry. Always remember to save before posting your blog entry. If you need help to get started with your Blog, do not hesitate to contact your teacher. This week you should be spending time reading the novel “To Kill A Mockingbird”. As you read, remember to take notes in your Journal; it is a long novel and a lot of information to retain. [pic] End of Week 1 315 Clarendon Street, Thornbury 3071 | | |Telephone (03) 8480 0000 | | |FAX (03) 9416 8371 (Despatch) | | |Toll free (1800) 133 511 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |STUDENT NUMBER _________________ | | | | | |STUDENT NAME ____________________ | | | | | |___________________________________ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Fix your student barcode | | |label over this space. | | | | | | | | | | |30401 | | |[30401] | |SUBJECT |English 4 | | | | | | | | |[ZX] | |YEAR/LEVEL |10 |WEEK |1 | | |TEACHER |________________________ | | PLEASE ATTACH WORK TO BE SENT. NOTE: Please write your number on each page of your work which is attached to this page. SEND |Please check that you have attached: | ? Activity 1: I Knew That! And now I Know… If you have not included any of these items, please explain why not. _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Use the space on the back of this sheet if you have any questions you would like to ask, or problems with your work that you would like to share with your teacher. | |YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |DISTANCE EDUCATION CENTRE TEACHER’S COMMENTS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |DISTANCE EDUCATION CENTRE TEACHER | ----------------------- Chapter 1: What do you learn in this chapter about Maycomb, Atticus Finch and his family? What do you learn about Dill's character? What, briefly, has happened to Arthur “Boo” Radley. Why does the Radley place fascinate Scout, Jem and Dill? What do you notice about the narrative voice and viewpoint in the novel? Chapter 2: Why is Scout so looking forward to starting school?

Why does Jem not want anything to do with Scout at school? Is his behaviour typical of an older child? What do you think of Miss Caroline Fisher as a teacher? Can you find qualities which would make her good or not so good at her job? Chapter 3: Who is Calpurnia? What is her place in the Finch household? What is Walter Cunningham like? What does his behaviour during lunch suggest about his home life? What do you think of the way Atticus treats Walter? Does Scout learn anything from Walter's visit? What do you think this is? Atticus says that you never really understand a person “until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”. What does this mean? Is it an easy thing for Scout to learn? In the last chapter of the novel, Scout repeats this, but she changes “skin” to “shoes” - this is probably not a mistake: Harper Lee suggests that Scout cannot clearly recall exactly what Atticus said and when, but the reader can check this! ) What do you learn in this chapter about the Ewells? Chapter 4: What does Scout think of current fashions in education? What superstitions do the children have in connection with the Radley house? Why do the children make Boo's story into a game? What do they do in this game? Do you think the game is an accurate version of what happens in the Radleys' home? What might be the cause of the laughter from inside the house? Chapter 5: Describe Miss Maudie Atkinson? How typical is she of Maycomb's women? What do the children think of her?

What does Miss Maudie tell Scout about Boo? How does this compare with what Scout already believes? Scout claims that “Dill could tell the biggest ones ” (lies) she ever heard. Why might Dill have told such lies? What reasons does Atticus give for the children not to play the Boo Radley game? Do you think he is right? Why? Chapter 6: Why does Scout disapprove of Jem's and Dill's plan of looking in at one of the Radleys' windows? What does Mr. Nathan Radley know about the intruders in his garden? Why does Miss Stephanie refer to a “negro” over whose head Mr. Nathan has fired? Why does Dill's explanation of Jem's state of dress almost land him in trouble? Chapter 7:

When Jem tells Scout about getting his trousers back, he tells her of something strange. What is this? Can you find any evidence that Jem is beginning to understand more than Scout about Boo Radley? What do you think this is? Does Jem still fear the gifts in the tree? Give reasons for your answer. When the children plan to send a letter to the person who leaves the gifts, they are prevented. How does this happen? Who does it, and why might he do so? Chapter 8: Why does Scout quiz Atticus about his visit to the Radley house? How much does Atticus tell her? What is the “near libel” which Jem puts in the front yard? How do Miss Maudie and Atticus react to it? Why does Atticus save Miss Maudie's oak rocking chair?

When Atticus asks Scout about the blanket around her shoulders, what does Jem realize? Explain what Atticus means by telling Jem not to let his discovery “inspire ” him to “further glory”? Is there any reason why Jem might now do as his father says? Chapter 9: How well does Atticus feel he should defend Tom Robinson? Is it usual for (white) lawyers to do their best for black clients in Alabama at this time? Scout and Jem have “mixed feelings” about Christmas? What are these feelings and why? Uncle Jack Finch tells Scout that she is growing out of her pants. What does this mean and why might he say it? When Francis talks to Scout he reveals an unpleasant feature of Aunt Alexandra. What is this?

Does Scout learn anything from overhearing Atticus's conversation with Uncle Jack? What might this be? Read the final sentence of this chapter. Explain in your own words what it means and why it might be important in the story. Chapter 15: What is the “nightmare” that now descends upon the children? What was (and is) the Ku Klux Klan? What do you think of Atticus's comment about it? How does Jem react when Atticus tells him to go home, and why? What persuades the lynching-party to give up their attempt on Tom's life? Comment on the way Scout affects events without realizing it at the time. Chapter 14: Comment on Atticus's explanation of rape.

How suitable is this as an answer to Scout. Why does Alexandra think Atticus should dismiss Calpurnia? How does Atticus respond to the suggestion? Why is Scout pleased when Jem fights her back? Why is she less pleased when he tells Atticus about Dill? What do we learn from Dill's account of his running away? Chapter 13: Why does Aunt Alexandra come to stay with Atticus and his family? What is she like? Read the first two things Alexandra says when she comes to the Finch house. Are these typical of her or not? Alexandra thinks Scout is “dull” (not clever). Why does she think this, and is she right? Are all adults good at knowing how clever young people are?

How does Aunt Alexandra involve herself in Maycomb's social life? Comment on Aunt Alexandra's ideas about breeding and family. Why does Atticus tell them to forget it? Who is right, do you think? Chapter 10: Scout says that “Atticus was feeble”. Do you think that this is her view as she tells the story or her view when she was younger? Does she still think this after the events recorded in this chapter? In this chapter Atticus tells his children that “it's a sin to kill a mockingbird”. What reason does he give for saying this? Why does Heck Tate not want to shoot Tim Johnson? Near the end of this chapter Atticus cuts off Heck Tate as he is speaking to Jem.

What might Heck have been about to say, and why would Atticus want to stop him from saying it? Jem and Scout have different views about telling people at school how well Atticus can shoot. Explain this difference. Which view is closer to your own? Chapter 11 How does Atticus advise Jem to react to Mrs. Dubose's taunts? What does Mrs. Dubose say about the children's mother? How does Jem feel about this? What request does Mrs. Dubose make of Jem? Is this a fair punishment for his “crime”? Explain in your own words what Atticus thinks of insults like “nigger-lover”. How far do you agree with him? Why, in Atticus's view, was Mrs. Dubose “a great lady”? Atticus says that Mrs.

Dubose is a model of real courage rather than “a man with a gun in his hand”. What does he mean? Do you think he is right? Chapters ten and eleven are the last two chapters in the first part of the book. Explain why Harper Lee chooses to end the first part here. Chapter 12: Comment on Jem's and Scout's visit to First Purchase church. What new things does Scout learn here about how the black people live? What does Scout learn from Calpurnia's account of Zeebo's education? Explain why Calpurnia speaks differently in the Finch household, and among her neighbours at church. Chapter 13: Why does Aunt Alexandra come to stay with Atticus and his family? What is she like?

Read the first two things Alexandra says when she comes to the Finch house. Are these typical of her or not? Alexandra thinks Scout is “dull” (not clever). Why does she think this, and is she right? Are all adults good at knowing how clever young people are? How does Aunt Alexandra involve herself in Maycomb's social life? Comment on Aunt Alexandra's ideas about breeding and family. Why does Atticus tell them to forget it? Who is right, do you think? Chapter 14: Comment on Atticus's explanation of rape. How suitable is this as an answer to Scout. Why does Alexandra think Atticus should dismiss Calpurnia? How does Atticus respond to the suggestion?

Why is Scout pleased when Jem fights her back? Why is she less pleased when he tells Atticus about Dill? What do we learn from Dill's account of his running away? Chapter 23: What do you think of Atticus's reaction to Bob Ewell's challenge? Should he have ignored Bob, retaliated or done something else? What is “circumstantial evidence”? What has it got to do with Tom's conviction? What does Atticus tell Scout about why the jury took so long to convict Tom? Why does Aunt Alexandra accept that the Cunninghams may be good but are not “our kind of folks”? Do you think that people should mix only with others of the same social class? Are class-divisions good or bad for societies?

At the end of this chapter, Jem forms a new theory about why Boo Radley has never left his house in years. What is this? How likely is it to be true, in your opinion? Chapter 22: Although Atticus did not want his children in court, he defends Jem's right to know what has happened. Explain, in your own words, Atticus's reasons for this. (Look at the speech beginning, “This is their home, sister. ”) Miss Maudie tells Jem that “things are never as bad as they seem”. What reasons does she give for this view? Why does Dill say that he will be a clown when he grows up? Do you think he would keep this ambition for long? This story is set in the 1930s but was published in 1960.

Have attitudes to racism remained the same (in the USA and the UK) or have there been any changes (for the better or worse) since then, in your view? Why does Bob Ewell feel so angry with Atticus? Do you think his threat is a real one, and how might he try to “get” Atticus? Chapter 20: Scout says that “Mr. Dolphus Raymond was an evil man”. Is she right? In most states of the USA people who drink alcohol in public places are required to hide their bottle in a paper bag. Why does Dolphus Raymond hide Coca-Cola in a bag? What, according to Atticus, is the thing that Mayella has done wrong? Explain, in your own words, Atticus's views on people's being equal. Chapter 15:

What is the “nightmare” that now descends upon the children? What was (and is) the Ku Klux Klan? What do you think of Atticus's comment about it? How does Jem react when Atticus tells him to go home, and why? What persuades the lynching-party to give up their attempt on Tom's life? Comment on the way Scout affects events without realizing it at the time. Chapter 16: What “subtle change” does Scout notice in her father? What sort of person is Dolphus Raymond? How does Reverend Sykes help the children see and hear the trial? Is he right to do? Comment on Judge Taylor's attitude to his job. Does he take the trial seriously or not? Chapter 17 What are the main points in Heck Tate's evidence?

What does Atticus show in his cross-examination of Sheriff Tate? What do we learn indirectly of the home life of the Ewell family in this chapter? What do you learn from Bob Ewell's evidence? Why does Atticus ask Bob Ewell to write out his name? What does the jury see when he does this? Chapter 19: What made Tom visit the Ewell's house in the first place? Why does Scout think that Mayella Ewell was “the loneliest person in the world”? In your own words explain Mayella's relationship with her father. How does Dill react to this part of the trial? Why is this, in your opinion? Chapter 18: Is Mayella like her father or different from him? In what ways?

What might be the reason for Mayella's crying in the court? How does Mayella react to Atticus's politeness? Is she used to people being polite? How well does Mr. Gilmer prove Tom's guilt in the eyes of the reader (you) and in the eyes of the jury? Can you suggest why these might be different? Chapter 21: What does Jem expect the verdict to be? Does Atticus think the same? What is unusual about how long it takes the jury to reach a verdict? Is the verdict predictable or not? As Scout waits for the verdict, she thinks of earlier events. What are these and how do they remind us of the novel's central themes? Chapter 20: Scout says that “Mr. Dolphus Raymond was an evil man”. Is she right?

In most states of the USA people who drink alcohol in public places are required to hide their bottle in a paper bag. Why does Dolphus Raymond hide Coca-Cola in a bag? What, according to Atticus, is the thing that Mayella has done wrong? Explain, in your own words, Atticus's views on people's being equal. Chapter 22: Although Atticus did not want his children in court, he defends Jem's right to know what has happened. Explain, in your own words, Atticus's reasons for this. (Look at the speech beginning, “This is their home, sister. ”) Miss Maudie tells Jem that “things are never as bad as they seem”. What reasons does she give for this view? Why does Dill say that he will be a clown when he grows up?

Do you think he would keep this ambition for long? This story is set in the 1930s but was published in 1960. Have attitudes to racism remained the same (in the USA and the UK) or have there been any changes (for the better or worse) since then, in your view? Why does Bob Ewell feel so angry with Atticus? Do you think his threat is a real one, and how might he try to “get” Atticus? Chapter 23: What do you think of Atticus's reaction to Bob Ewell's challenge? Should he have ignored Bob, retaliated or done something else? What is “circumstantial evidence”? What has it got to do with Tom's conviction? What does Atticus tell Scout about why the jury took so long to convict Tom?

Why does Aunt Alexandra accept that the Cunninghams may be good but are not “our kind of folks”? Do you think that people should mix only with others of the same social class? Are class-divisions good or bad for societies? At the end of this chapter, Jem forms a new theory about why Boo Radley has never left his house in years. What is this? How likely is it to be true, in your opinion? Chapter 31: How do the events of the final chapters explain the first sentence in the whole novel? Comment on the way the writer summarizes earlier events to show their siginificance. How does Scout make sense of an earlier remark of Atticus's as she stands on the Radley porch?

How much of a surprise is it to find what Boo Radley is really like? Has the story before this point prepared the reader for this discovery? At the end of the novel, Atticus reads to Scout. Comment on his choice of story. Does it have any connection with themes earlier in the novel and in its ending? Chapter 30: Who does Atticus think caused Bob Ewell's death? Why does Heck Tate insist that Bob Ewell's death was self-inflicted? In what way is this partly true? Is Heck Tate right to spare Boo then publicity of an inquest? Give reasons for your answer. How does the writer handle the appearance, at the end of the story, of Boo Radley? Chapter 29:

What causes the “shiny clean line” on the otherwise “dull wire” of Scout's costume? What explanation does Atticus give for Bob Ewell's attack? What does Heck Tate give as the reason for the attack? Do you think the sheriff's explanation or Atticus's is the more likely to be true? Chapter 28: Comment on the way this chapter reminds the reader of earlier events in the novel. Why does Jem say that Boo Radley must not be at home? What is ironic about this? (Is it true? Does he really mean it? Why might it be important for him and Scout that Boo should not be at home? ) Scout decides to keep her costume on while walking home. How does this affect her understanding of what happens on the way?

Why had Atticus not brought a chair for the man in the corner? Who might this stranger be? Chapter 27: What three things does Bob Ewell do that alarm Aunt Alexandra? Why, according to Atticus, does Bob Ewell bear a grudge? Which people does Ewell see as his enemies, and why? What was the purpose of the Halloween pageant? What practical joke had persuaded the grown ups to have an organized event? Chapter 26: In her lesson on Hitler, Miss Gates says that “we (American people) don't believe in persecuting anyone”. What seems odd to the reader about this claim? Why is Scout puzzled by Miss Gates' disapproval of Hitler? Why does Scout's question upset Jem?

Is there a simple answer, or any answer, to the question “How can you hate Hitler an’ then turn around an be ugly about folks right at home? ” Chapter 25: How does Maycomb react to the news of Tom's death? Comment on the idea that Tom's death was “typical”? Explain the contrast Scout draws between the court where Tom was tried and “the secret courts of men's hearts”. In what way are hearts like courts? Why did Jem not want Scout to tell Atticus about Bob Ewell's comment? Was this a wise thing to ask her to do? Chapter 24: Do you think the missionary ladies are sincere in worrying about the “Mrunas” (a tribe in Africa)? Give reasons for your answer.

Compare the reactions of Miss Maudie and the other ladies when Scout says she is wearing her “britches” under her dress. What is your opinion of the Maycomb ladies, as depicted in this chapter? Explain briefly how Tom was killed. What is Atticus's explanation for Tom's attempted escape. Do you think agree with Atticus? How, in this chapter, do we see Aunt Alexandra in a new light? How does Miss Maudie support her? Click on ENGLISH UNIT 4 YEAR 9/10 List of all your DECV Subjects Click on Create new entry Enter Your Journal title: Week 1 Activity 1 Your Full Name Date and time will automatically show Tick USE TEXT EDITOR Click to insert picture

You can change the style, size and colour of your text font Once you are happy with your entry click Save Type your text here [pic] For Content: Kennedy Melissa, The Heinemann English Project Text Study: To Kill A Mockingbird, Heinemann, 2008 http://www. universalteacher. org. uk/gcse/mockingbird. htm For Images: http://www. theseattletraveler. com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/to-kill-a-mockingbird-at-intiman-theatre. jpg http://www. dvdbeaver. com/film/DVDReviews17/a%20to%20kill%20a%20mockingbird%20robert%20mulligan%20dvd%20review/title%20to%20kill%20a%20mockingbird%20robert%20mulligan%20dvd%20review%20. JPG http://www. amazon. com/gp/customer-media/product gallery/0446310786/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_all