Presentation Transcript

1. To kill a mockingbird

   Thematic Review and Literary Essay Guidelines
2. Major themes Schooling and Education Justice Racism Classism Gender Roles Maturity
3. Schooling and education Education occurs in the school: structured Little importance is given to education Jem, Scout and Dill learn more about life outside of school Main teachers: Atticus, Calpurnia, MsMaudie, and Aunt Alexandra Each mentor figure has a tenet (or tenets) that they teach Scout Schooling occurs reactively: something happens for a lesson to be given Tenet: a principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true.
4. Things to consider How does each episode help Scout mature? Why is so little attention given to the school? How is Jem’s schooling different to Scout’s? How does the Ewells’ propensity for ignorance contrast with the Finches? Propensity: an often intense natural inclination or preference
5. Justice Justice in Maycomb is biased (except for a select few) People of Maycomb make a spectacle of the trial The Ewells’ perjury goes unpunished Tom’s indictment does not surprise the adults Boo seen as a hero for his vigilantism Confederate General Robert E Lee, Bob Ewell’snamesake, was regarded as a man who fought a noble cause. How does this contrast with Bob? Namesake: one that has the same name as another or for whom another is named Indict: to charge with a crime by the finding or presentment of a jury in due form of law.
6. Thing to consider What values do Atticus and Ms. Maudie model throughout the novel? Wherein lies the bias that the people of Maycomb show before and after the trial? Why are the Ewellsapprehensive towards Atticus when he wishes to question them? How does Atticus’ rueful address to the jury and audience express his knowledge of the trial’s outcome? Apprehensive: suspicion or fear, especially of future evil Rueful: exciting pity or sympathy
7. Racism Most of the townsfolk react negatively towards the Finches once Atticus takes the case Separate churches, separate seating arrangements in the courthouse Bob’s indignation at Mayella’s lust for Tom DolphusRaymund’s isolation from society Indignation: feeling or showing anger because of something unjust or unworthy
8. Things to consider How does Mrs. Dubose vehemently address Jem? How do the people of Maycomb react to Tom’s death? How does Tom’s case relate to the Dred Scott verdict? (youtube) Consider the video “Birth of a Nation,” how do the views on black males relate to Tom Robinson? (youtube) Vehement: marked by forceful energy; forcibly expressed
9. Classism Jem lists a hierarchy within Maycomb county Aunt Alexandra introduces a number of “streaks” families in Maycomb are known to have “Background” as a trait that marks one family as better than another The idea that there are certain core beliefs that a social class should have; behaviors that should be observed
10. Things to consider Mrs. Merryweather’s view of the Maroons as heathens Aunt Alexandra’s opposition to Scout playing with Walter Cunningham The county’s general opinion of the Ewells Heathen: of or relating to heathens, their religion, or their customs; strange, uncivilized
11. Gender roles Scout takes refuge in the kitchen Aunt Alexandra makes her attend Sunday tea with the missionary society; Scout is forced to wear a dress Jem excludes Scout from activities because of she is a girl Jean Louise and Jeremy’s nicknames: reversal of gendered names
12. Things to consider Why does Aunt Alexandra decide to live with Atticus and his kids? Why does Scout not act as impudently with the society women than she would with Atticus or Jem and Dill? How does Harper Lee reinforce the idea that a woman’s place was in the home? Impudence: marked by contemptuous or cocky boldness or disregard of others
13. Maturity Jem’s views on the legal system changes after the trial Jem understands why Boo doesn’t want to leave the house Scout understands the significance of “killing a mockingbird” Innocence lost after the trial
14. Things to consider How does Jem react to the verdict? What are Jems views of the people of Maycomb before and after the trial? What does Scout learn from Aunt Alexandra’s sudden composure following her breakdown? How does Scout show all that she has learned when walking Boo home?
15. Literary essay Paragraph 1: hook, title and author, thesis (3 points), transition Paragraph 2: 1st point, proof (quote(s)), analysis, transition Paragraph 3: 2nd point, proof (quote(s)), analysis, transition Paragraph 4th: 3rd point, proof (quote(s)), analysis, Paragraph 5: Restate thesis and 3 points, comment on the topic, closing statement
16. Topics Boo and the Radley residence has been the source of fear and mystery in the kids’ lives. Analyze 3 summers and explain how Scout grows out of her fear during the autumn of the 3rd year. Calpurnia, Aunt Alexandra, and Ms. Maudie are all motherly figures. What do they teach Scout? How does she show what she learned? A number of people in Maycomb County helped Tom and his family before and during the trial. Name 3 and explain how they helped.
17. Important info Due November 27th Minimum 500 words Rough copy/edit/good copy Writing competency (40 marks) Do not use the 1st person Use the present tense
18. Vocabulary Asinine Mutilate Libel Ramshackle Foolhardy Chattel Contentious Namesake Impudent Indicted Heathen Vehement Indignant Apprehension Ruefully Contentious Assuage Stricture Aberration Misdemeanor Tenet Propensity