To Kill a Mockingbird - Characters and themes

Atticus
1. List Atticus’s physical qualities. How do these link him with the underdog in the story?
2. Why does the incident with the mad dog gain Atticus new respect from the children?
3. Which characters call Atticus a ‘nigger-lover’? What does this show us about
Maycomb?
4. How does Atticus demonstrate courage in defending Tom Robinson?
5. How does Atticus instruct the children to behave when they hear taunts about him?
6. Why does he let Scout listen to his conversation with Jack?

Courage
Atticus says, ‘Courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin
anyway and you see it through no matter what.’
Other characters in the novel show courage too. Look at these examples below and
comment on them.
• Miss Maudie during the fire incident
• Jem’s visit to Mrs Dubose after he destroyed her flowers
• Atticus says that Mrs Dubose showed ‘real courage’ in the way that she dealt
with her illness.
Find and discuss other examples of courage in the novel.

Growing up
Chapters 1 – 5
Children’s games
1. What is the difference between the children’s idea of Boo Radley and the truth about
Boo Radley?
2. List the games the children play revolving around Boo.
3. How does Atticus teach the children about Boo Radley? How are we reminded that he
is a lawyer?
4. Why is it significant that the book opens with children’s games?

Education
1. How are Miss Caroline’s teaching methods different from Atticus’s?
2. What do we learn about Scout from her interactions with Miss Caroline?
3. What lessons does Atticus teach Scout?

Chapters 6 – 11
Scout
1. What sort of child is Scout? Make notes on her intelligence, thoughtfulness,
confidence and conscience.
2. Scout has two older female role models who have contrasting ideas about how women
should behave. Who are they and what are their beliefs about deportment?

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 To Kill a Mockingbird - Characters and themes
3. List the key aspects of Atticus’ parenting. How do you think these have affected
Scout?
4. What important lessons is Scout learning through the children’s interactions with Boo?

Prejudice
Chapters 1 – 5
1. Find quotations and references which suggest that
a) family background is extremely important in Maycomb
b) the pace of life is slow in Maycomb
c) religion is extremely important in Maycomb.
2. Some of the residents of Maycomb are very quick to judge others – the theme of
prejudice has raised its head. Make notes on how and why these characters are
victims of prejudice:
a) Miss Car
b) Walter Cunningham
c) Burris Ewell
d) Boo Radley
e) Miss Maudie
3. What do the children learn about prejudice from Atticus?

In court – the Ewells

1. What does Heck Tate say happened at the Ewells’ house? What does Mr Ewell say
happened?
2. Compare the description of the Ewells’ dwelling with those of the black community.
What does this reveal?
3. What impression do we have of Mr Ewell himself from his appearance and behaviour?
4. How can we see the growing gap between Scout and Jem in this chapter?
5. Comment on Atticus’s behaviour in this chapter. How can we tell he is a skilful lawyer?
6. What is the hint that we are given about Mayella Ewell’s character in Chapter 17?
7. How can we tell from this chapter that Scout is an intelligent child?

In court – Maycomb
1. What is reinforced about society in Maycomb as everyone prepares for the trial? (See
Chapter 16, particularly Miss Stephanie Crawford)
2. Why is Mr Dolphus Raymond shunned?
3. What is significant about the arrangement of the courtroom? Why is it symbolic that
the Finch children sit where they do?
4. Why has the author brought Dill back into the narrative at this point?

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