To Kill A Mockingbird

1. To Kill A Mockingbird Essential Knowledge Study Guide

2. A symbol is a thing that represents something else. The Statue of Liberty is an example. It represents our freedom. If the statue were bombed or fell over from a storm, we would still be free. The statue may be gone, but we would still be free because it is just a representation of our freedom. Symbolism

3. Another example is awedding ring. It represents that someone ismarried. There are several reasons why: It is round, showing that love for a spouse is never-ending, like a circle has no ending. It is silver or gold, because love is precious, and it is on the fourth finger of theleft hand, because people used to believe that there was a vein in that finger that ran straight to the heart. Now, if a married person takes that ring off, they arestill married. It is a symbol of love and commitment to a spouse. Symbolism

4. Metaphor and symbol are the same thing at first glance. However, a metaphor is generally used once or twice during the course of a novel. A symbol is used consistently throughout a novel, and so it comes to carry its own significance in relation to the novel itself. Hence, the ring in the Lord of the Rings comes to symbolize something much different than what we usually think. Symbolism

5. As you read the book, use green Stick-It notes to mark evidence for the following symbols: The killing of a mockingbird The Radley place; Boo Radley The Mad Dog The Oak Tree *Use the green Symbolism tracking Stick-Its to keep track of evidence, and write notes on them. Symbolism

6. Plot Make sure you can label the plot pyramid and identify 5-10 details about each part of the Story Pyramid.

7. As you read the book, use yellow Stick-It notes to mark important events on the plot diagram for the following two plots: The story of how Dill, Scout, and Jem get Boo to come out of his house. Atticus’s defense of Tom Robinson. *As you place Stick-It notes in the book, mark them like this “Boo Story—Rising Action” or “Tom Story—Conflict” Plot

8. Theme – the unifying idea or moral of a piece of literature Theme

9. As you read the book, use pink Stick-It notes to mark evidence for the following themes: • Justice • According to the novel, is the South of Maycomb a just place? • Is Tom’s trial just? • What is an individual’s responsibility in fighting for justice? • What criteria does the novel prescribe for judging? • *Use the pink Theme tracking Stick-Its to keep track of evidence, and write notes on them. Theme

10. 2. Tolerance and understanding vs. Fear • How does the town’s misunderstanding of the Radley’s lead it to fear Boo? • Why is Tom so feared? • How do fear and misunderstanding lead to racism? • 3. Racism • How does the novel portray black characters? Are there elements of racism in these portrayals? • Is the racism in the novel historically accurate? • *Use the green Symbolism tracking Stick-Its to keep track of evidence, and write notes on them. Theme 2