Presentation Transcript

1. ABC’s of To Kill a MockingbirdExamples of Vocabulary, Allusions and Idioms

2. Vocabulary Examples caricature (67) – An exaggeration by means of a gross distortion of characteristics. Atticus uses this word to describe what Jem has done using a snowman in making it look like Mr. Avery. Jem does not really know what it means and even mispronounces it “characterture,” showing he is still young and ignorant with a lot to learn from his father. (V) charlotte (227) – A kind of pie or pudding made by lining a dish with slices of bread and filling it with bread soaked in milk. It is baked and may have fruit or whipped cream on top. Serving this dessert to ladies including Scout shows Scout is growing up.
3. Allusion Examples (A) Rosetta Stone (63) – an ancient Egyptian artifact created in 196 BC that advanced the modern understanding of hieroglyphic writing. “Mr. Avery said it was written on the Rosetta Stone that when children disobeyed their parents….the seasons would change” signifying how powerful messages are written in stone.
4. Allusion Examples (A) Blackstone’s Commentaries (125) – Leading work on English law written by William Black-stone in 1765 that helped develop the American legal system. It is quite amusing that Calpurnia taught her son to read using these books because they are law books and likely far more difficult to read than school books.
5. Allusion Examples (A) English Channel (241) – The English Channel is a body of water between western France and southern England. It is a part of the Atlantic Ocean and has a great deal of traffic. Harper Lee uses this allusion because she is comparing Miss Stephanie Crawford, the town gossip, to something used for transportation. In other words, she transports information.
6. Idiom Examples (I) “a jim-dandy job” (67) – Atticus compliments Jem on doing a very good job making a snowman. Atticus is so pleased he says, “I’ll never have to worry about what’ll become of you, son, you’ll always have an idea.” (I) “drew a bead on him” (76) – It means to take aim or focus on a person. Scout is about to hit Cecil Jacobs for insulting Atticus so she takes aim. She remembers what Atticus says and drops the fight.