11th Grade English Notes To Kill a Mockingbird - Themes and Characters
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Oak Mountain High School**We aren't endorsed by this school
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ENG 11
Subject
Arts & Humanities
Date
Jan 11, 2025
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3
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1. Major Themes in "To Kill a Mockingbird" a. Racial Injustice ● Definition: The novel examines the deep-seated racism in the Southern United States, particularly in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama. ● In the Novel: The trial of Tom Robinson, an African American falsely accused of raping a white woman, symbolizes racial inequality and the flaws in the justice system. ● Key Quote: “But there’s one way in this country in which all men are created equal—there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein. That institution, gentlemen, is a court.”– Atticus Finch, Chapter 20 b. Moral Growth and Coming-of-Age ● Definition: The novel explores the moral development of Scout and Jem as they navigate the complexities of right and wrong in a divided society. ● In the Novel: Scout and Jem learn important lessons from their father, Atticus, and from the events surrounding the trial, which shape their understanding of fairness, empathy, and justice. ● Key Quote: “Atticus, he was real nice.” “Most people are nice, when you finally see them.”– Scout and Atticus, Chapter 31 c. The Coexistence of Good and Evil ● Definition: The novel highlights how people are capable of both good and bad actions, and how these qualities coexist within individuals and society. ● In the Novel: Characters like Atticus and Tom Robinson embody goodness and morality, while characters like Bob Ewell represent evil and prejudice. The novel suggests that understanding and empathy are key to seeing the good in others. ● Key Quote: “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”– Miss Maudie, Chapter 10 d. Social Inequality and Class Struggles ● Definition: The novel also touches upon class differences, illustrating how social status can affect people’s lives in addition to race. ● In the Novel: The Ewells, despite their low status in society, have more power than Tom Robinson simply because they are white. The Finch family, although respectable, is seen as lower class compared to others in the town. ● Key Quote: “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”– Atticus Finch, Chapter 11
2. Key Symbols in "To Kill a Mockingbird" a. The Mockingbird ● Meaning: The mockingbird symbolizes innocence and goodness, as it harms no one and only provides beauty to the world. ● Interpretation: Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are both symbolic mockingbirds. Tom is innocent but wrongly accused, while Boo is misunderstood and ultimately reveals his true, kind nature. ● Key Quote: “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”– Miss Maudie, Chapter 10 b. The Radley House ● Meaning: The Radley house represents mystery, fear, and the unknown. The children’s fascination with Boo Radley symbolizes the human tendency to fear what is not understood. ● Interpretation: Throughout the novel, the Radley house serves as a metaphor for prejudice, as Boo is judged without being truly known. ● Key Quote: “Boo was our neighbor. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch, and a chain. He became our friend.”– Scout, Chapter 31 c. Atticus Finch’s Glasses ● Meaning: Atticus’ glasses symbolize his wisdom and the clarity of his moral vision. He sees the world through a lens of fairness, justice, and empathy. ● Interpretation: The glasses reflect how Atticus’ perception of the world is shaped by his moral integrity, even when faced with adversity. ● Key Quote: “Atticus, he was real nice.” “Most people are nice, when you finally see them.”– Scout, Chapter 31 3. Character Analysis a. Scout Finch ● Role: The narrator and protagonist of the story, Scout is a young girl who matures throughout the novel as she confronts issues of racism, injustice, and the complexities of human nature. ● Traits: Curious, intelligent, and headstrong, but also learning about compassion, empathy, and fairness. ● Key Quote: “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand.”– Atticus Finch, teaching Scout about courage, Chapter 11
b. Atticus Finch ● Role: Scout’s father and a lawyer, Atticus is a moral and compassionate man who stands up for what is right, even when the town is against him. ● Traits: Wise, ethical, empathetic, and a role model for his children. Atticus is willing to fight for justice, even when it’s not popular. ● Key Quote: “It’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn’t hurt you.”– Atticus Finch, Chapter 11 c. Tom Robinson ● Role: The African American man falsely accused of raping Mayella Ewell. His trial is central to the novel's exploration of racial injustice. ● Traits: Honest, humble, and kind-hearted, but victimized by society due to his race. Tom’s trial and death symbolize the deep-seated racism of the time. ● Key Quote: “I wanted to help her, I wasn’t looking for any trouble.”– Tom Robinson, describing the incident with Mayella, Chapter 19 d. Boo Radley ● Role: The mysterious neighbor who is initially seen as a figure of fear and superstition, but later reveals himself to be kind and protective. ● Traits: Shy, misunderstood, and compassionate. Boo’s actions show the theme of human kindness despite societal judgments. ● Key Quote: “Atticus, he was real nice.” “Most people are nice, when you finally see them.”– Scout, recognizing Boo’s kindness, Chapter 31 4. Important Quotes and Analysis ● “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”– Miss Maudie, Chapter 10 ○ This quote symbolizes the innocence and goodness that is destroyed by prejudice, as seen with characters like Tom Robinson and Boo Radley. ● “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”– Atticus Finch, Chapter 11 ○ Atticus teaches Scout that true courage is standing up for what’s right, even in the face of overwhelming odds. This reflects the moral backbone of the novel. ○ ●