To Kill a MockingbirdHarper Lee

Reading Guide

Mockingbird Bluejay

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Character List

Jean Louise “Scout” Finch - The narrator and protagonist of the story. Scout lives with her father, Atticus, her brother, Jem, and their black cook, Calpurnia, in Maycomb. She is intelligent and, by the standards of her time and place, a tomboy. Scout has a combative streak and a basic faith in the goodness of the people in her community. As the novel progresses, this faith is tested by the hatred and prejudice that emerge during Tom Robinson’s trial. Scout eventually develops a more grown-up perspective that enables her to appreciate human goodness without ignoring human evil.

Atticus Finch - Scout and Jem’s father, a lawyer in Maycomb descended from an old local family. A widower with a dry sense of humor, Atticus has instilled in his children his strong sense of morality and justice. He is one of the few residents of Maycomb committed to racial equality. When he agrees to defend Tom Robinson, a black man charged with raping a white woman, he exposes himself and his family to the anger of the white community. With his strongly held convictions, wisdom, and empathy, Atticus functions as the novel’s moral backbone

Jeremy Atticus “Jem” Finch - Scout’s brother and constant playmate at the beginning of the story. Jem is something of a typical American boy, refusing to back down from dares and fantasizing about playing football. Four years older than Scout, he gradually separates himself from her games, but he remains her close companion and protector throughout the novel. Jem moves into adolescence during the story, and his ideals are shaken badly by the evil and injustice that he perceives during the trial of Tom Robinson.

Arthur “Boo” Radley - A recluse who never sets foot outside his house, Boo dominates the imaginations of Jem, Scout, and Dill. He is a powerful symbol of goodness swathed in an initial shroud of creepiness, leaving little presents for Scout and Jem and emerging at an opportune moment to save the children. An

intelligent child emotionally damaged by his cruel father, Boo provides an example of the threat that evil poses to innocence and goodness. He is one of the novel’s “mockingbirds,” a good person injured by the evil of mankind.

Bob Ewell - A drunken, mostly unemployed member of Maycomb’s poorest family. In his knowingly wrongful accusation that Tom Robinson raped his daughter, Ewell represents the dark side of the South: ignorance, poverty, squalor, and hate-filled racial prejudice.

Charles Baker “Dill” Harris - Jem and Scout’s summer neighbor and friend. Dill is a diminutive, confident boy with an active imagination. He becomes fascinated with Boo Radley and represents the perspective of childhood innocence throughout the nove

Miss Maudie Atkinson - The Finches’ neighbor, a sharp-tongued widow, and an old friend of the family. Miss Maudie is almost the same age as Atticus’s younger brother, Jack. She shares Atticus’s passion for justice and is the children’s best friend among Maycomb’s adults.

Calpurnia - The Finches’ black cook. Calpurnia is a stern disciplinarian and the children’s bridge between the white world and her own black community. Aunt Alexandra - Atticus’s sister, a strong-willed woman with a fierce devotion to her family. Alexandra is the perfect Southern lady, and her commitment to propriety and tradition often leads her to clash with Scout.

Mayella Ewell - Bob Ewell’s abused, lonely, unhappy daughter. Though one can pity Mayella because of her overbearing father, one cannot pardon her for her shameful indictment of Tom Robinson

Tom Robinson - The black field hand accused of rape. Tom is one of the novel’s “mockingbirds,”an important symbol of innocence destroyed by evil.

Link Deas - Tom Robinson’s employer. In his willingness to look past race and praise the integrity of Tom’s character, Deas epitomizes the opposite of prejudice. Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose - An elderly, ill-tempered, racist woman who lives near the Finches. Although Jem believes that Mrs. Dubose is a thoroughly bad woman, Atticus admires her for the courage with which she battles her morphine addiction. Nathan Radley - Boo Radley’s older brother. Scout thinks that Nathan is similar to the deceased Mr. Radley, Boo and Nathan’s father. Nathan cruelly cuts off an important element of Boo’s relationship with Jem and Scout when he plugs up the knothole in which Boo leaves presents for the children. Heck Tate - The sheriff of Maycomb and a major witness at Tom Robinson’s trial. Heck is a decent man who tries to protect the innocent from danger. Mr. Underwood - The publisher of Maycomb’s newspaper. Mr. Underwood respects Atticus and proves his ally. Mr. Dolphus Raymond - A wealthy white man who lives with his black mistress and mulatto children. Raymond pretends to be a drunk so that the citizens of Maycomb will have an explanation for his behavior. In reality, he is simply jaded by the hypocrisy of white society and prefers living among blacks.Mr. Walter Cunningham - A poor farmer and part of the mob that seeks to lynch Tom Robinson at the jail. Mr. Cunningham displays his human goodness when Scout’s politeness compels him to disperse the men at the jail. Walter Cunningham - Son of Mr. Cunningham and classmate of Scout. Walter cannot afford lunch one day at school and accidentally gets Scout in trouble

English 10To Kill a Mockingbird – Viewing guide

1. Day 1

2. Who is Mr. Cunningham?

3. What does Mr. Cunningham give Atticus? Why?

4. Why does Atticus tell Scout not to call him next time Mr. Cunningham comes by?

5. What sport does Jem want Atticus to play for the Methodists?

6. Why won’t Atticus play?

7. Who is in the garden next door?

8. Who is boo Radley?

9. What does he look like, according to Jem?

10. What did Boo try to do to his father?

11. What do Jem and Scout call their father?

12. Who is Mrs. Dubose?

13. How does Atticus treat Mrs. Dubose?

14. What happened to Jem and Scout’s mother?

15. When Atticus is sitting on the porch after putting Jem and Scout to bed, Judge Taylor comes to visit him. What does he ask Atticus to do? What does Atticus say?

16. Jem, Scout and Dill go to the Court house to see where Boo Radley was kept when he was arrested. What do they discover when they arrive there?

17. In the Courthouse, a man, named Bob Ewell, calls Atticus “Captain” and is surprised when Atticus tells him that he was hired to defend Tom Robinson, and that is what he intends to do. What does Bob Ewell say to Atticus after that?

18. What do the kids try to do for fun on Dill’s last night in Maycomb? What happens to Jem’s pants? Why?

19. Day 2

20. Why is Scout unhappy about going to her first day of school?

21. Why does Scout get into a fight with Walter Cunningham?

22. Why does Jem invite Walter home for dinner?

23. At dinner Atticus says his daddy told him “he could shoot all the blue jays [he] wanted to, but remember it is a sin to kill a mockingbird.” What does he mean by this?

24. Who is Calpurnia?

25. Why does Scout not want to go to school?

26. What is the compromise Atticus makes with Scout when he says to her “you never really understand a person till you consider things from his point of view. Till you climb in his skin and walk around in it for awhile”?

27. How does Jem discover that Atticus is the best shot in the county?

28. Why does Atticus go to Tom Robinson’s house?

29. Who scares Jem as he waits in the car for Atticus? Describe him.

Day 3.

30. When they return from Tom Robinson’s home, Jem stays home while Atticus takes Calpurnia home. He finds something in the knot hole of a tree, what is it?

31. On their way home from school, Jem and Scout find something else in the knothole. What is that? Who do you think is leaving the things?

32. Who cements the knot hole?

33. Jem shows Scout a whole bunch of stuff in a cigar box. List three things:a.b.c.

34. Who is leaving the stuff?

35. Where has Tom Robinson been held in Jail? Why has he been brought back to Maycomb jail?

36. Why does Atticus go to stay at the door of the jail house?

37. Who arrives at the Jail house? Why? What do they want?

38. Why does Jem refuse to go home?

39. Who breaks up the lynch-mob?

40. What is the “only exciting thing that has happened in Macomb” ?

41. How is the court room segregated?

42. Where do the kids sit? Why?

43. Who testifies first?

44. What is discovered about the injuries of the victim? Which eye was bruised and blackened?

45. Why does Atticus ask Mr. Ewell to write his name?

Day 4

46. Is Mayella Ewell a credible witness?

47. Does she look at Tom Robinson when she accuses him?

48. Which hand does Tom use to catch the glass?

49. Why do you think Mayella breaks down in court?

50. Is Tom Robinson a credible witness?

51. How does Tom’s story differ from Mayella’s?

52. What does Mr. Gilmer repeatedly call Tom?

53. Why is it a problem that Tom says he “felt sorry” for Mayella? Explain.

54. What is the “Code Atticus refers to in his closing statement?

55. Describe the Jury. How long have they been out deliberating?

56. How do the folks in the balcony show Atticus great respect?

57. Why is Jem so upset?

58. What does Miss Maudie mean when she says “ there are some men in this world who are born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father is one of them”?

59. What does Heck-Tate come by to tell Atticus? What happened to Tom? Do you believe this story?

60. Where does Atticus go after learning this information?

61. What happens to Helen Robinson?

62. Who shows up at the Robinson’s?

63. What does he do/say to Atticus?

64. How does Atticus react?

Day 5

65. Why is Scout wearing a Ham costume as they walk home through the woods?

66. Who attacks Jem and Scout on their way home?

67. What happens to Jem?

68. Who brings Jem home safely?

69. Who is found lying in the woods with a kitchen knife stuck in his gut?

70. Who does Atticus think is responsible for the killing?

71. What does Sherriff Heck-Tate mean when he says “ let the dead bury the dead, Mr. Finch”?

72. What does Scout mean when she says “It’s kinda’ like Shooting a mockingbird” Who is she referring to?

73. Who does Scout walk home?

74. What did Boo Radley give to Jem and Scout?

The film version of To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), starring Gregory Peck as Atticus and Mary Badham as Scout, is debatably as classic as the original novel. A novel and its film version should always complement one other, which is generally true for To Kill a Mockingbird. Each adds depth and meaning to the other. While watching any book-to-movie, viewers should analyze both similarities and differences. The below questions should prove helpful to teachers looking for questions to guide movie-viewing in the classroom for students and to general movie-lovers.

To Kill a Mockingbird Movie Questions

Do you notice any specific details in the movie that show the setting is during the Depression?

The movie begins with Scout as the narrator, just like she is narrator of the book. Does her narration continue throughout the film?

What type of feelings and mood does the music for the movie create? Is it serious, fun, scary, etc.?

Does the music fit together with themes from the story? Why or why not?

Some critics have said that the film focuses more on Jem's experiences than the novel does. Do you agree? Please provide support for your answer.

Harper Lee felt as if Gregory Peck were the perfect embodiment of Atticus Finch. Why do you think she felt that way. Do you agree with her?

What important characters or events are left out of the movie?

How does Aunt Alexandra's absence reduce the focus on Scout's need to become more "girly"?

Which scene seems to be the climax of the film?

After the verdict, why is the courtroom completely silent?

Why do all the people in the gallery of the courtroom stand as Atticus walks out? How does Scout react to this moment?

Why doesn't Atticus fight Bob Ewell when he spits on him?

Why doesn't the Sheriff want to prosecute Bob Ewell's killer?

Did the filmmakers choose the right person to play Boo Radley? Why or why not?

How does the film end? Is the ending the same as the novel?

Were there certain themes that the movie focused more heavily on?