To Kill A Mockingbird Plot Summary Essay Example For Students

To Kill A Mockingbird Plot Summary Essay Part 1 Chapter 1-8 1. Chapter 1 introduces readers to the town of Maycomb, its apperannce, its inhabitants, and the particular attitudes of many of its people. Find a sentence or a paragraph which illustrates each of the following attitudes/ideas. Quote at least a portion of the sentence or paragraph and give page number. a. pride in ancestry and tradition tired old town p.9 b. pride in conformity and distrust of those who are different Maycomb County had recently been told that it had nothing to fear but fear itself p.10 c. awareness difference in social classes nothing to buy and no money to buy with it p.10 d. narrow span of interest and almost no interest in the world outside Maycomb. nothing to see outside the boundaries of Maycomb County p.10 2. Approximately when does the story negin? Show evidence to support your answer. The setting of the story take place in Maycomb County, Alabama, during the 1930s. The neighborhood overall is very poor, with farming being the major way of making a living. (Cotton-farming) 3. What do we know for certain about Boo Radley? The Radley place and its mysterious inhabitant are described ub great detail. Scout was telling the story about Boo Radley, she said Radley was locked up as a teenager for once getting in trouble with police. Radley has been in the house ever since, although some people are convinced he come out at night. 4. Why is Boo fasinating to the children? At the summer, when Dill come out and play with Scout and Jem, Dill has always found interesting studying Boos place, because Dill think Boo is phantom bogeyman. Chapter 2 1. Scout makes three mistakes during her first day at school. What are her mistakes, and why do they make Miss Caroline so angry? First of all, the teacher found out that Scout already can read, so she make Scout promise not to read to with her father; second, the teacher found out Scout was writing a letter to Dill, the teacher stop her from writing it and told Scout that in Grade 1, you only learn printing, and in Grade 3 you learn writing; third, Scout was tring to explain the ways of the Cunninghams, a family of poot but proud farmers who refuse charity. Miss Caroline thinks Scout is being insolent and after slapping her hand. 2. Why are the professional people in Maycomb poor at this time? The professtional people is poor at that time I think is because their learning system is so limited, student have no chance to things other than what the teacher have teached. 3. What is the WPA, and why wont Mr. Cunningham work for it? WPA stand for Works Progress Administration. He didnt work for it because he is proud of himself, he wont take help and charity, he take only what he work for. Chapter 3 1. Calpurnia lectures Scout on manners when Scout criticzes Walters manners and Atticus supports her. What does this tell you about how both Calpurnia and Atticus feel about others? Scout has a good relationship with Atticus but she doesnt really like Calpurnia since she think Cal hates her because they always argue about things and always takes the side of Jem. And the point of view from Cal and Atticus is very difference. Cal will give lecture to the children if they did something wrong, but Atticus will try to impact the important message to the children. 2. Burris Ewell, Walter Cunningham, and Chuck little are all from extremely poor families. However, there are great differences both in appearance and in attitudes, particularly between the Cunninghams and the Ewells. What are those differences and why do you suppose they exist? Between Burris Ewell, Walter Cunningham They are both from a very poor family. But Walters family is respectable, but Ewells family is disreputable. Ewell have no attemp of dressing up to school, following rule, or even come back to school again. But as for Walter, he attend school in a clean shirt and neatlt mended overall. This is to show how disreputable Ewells family is, and prepare us to the up coming trial of Tom Robinson. 3. Atticus tells Scout, You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view until you climb in skin and walk around in it. What are some of the things that Scout begins to realize at this points? (p.34) Scout have begin to realize things can be both way, and she just cant judge something from what she see/heard. 4. Why does Atticus say that the law is rigid for common folk, but it is bent in certain ways for the Ewells? I think it is because common folk that day just wont have enough money to hire lawyer to protect themselves, so it is not too fair to them. AS for Ewell, they are some how always let off by the law. For example, during school, Ewell just stand and announce to the whole class I am just going to attend school today only. 5. What is the compromise which Atticus suggests? Atticus compromise to Scout is the following. .. Scout can keep on reading at home, but she will have to go back to school and try to get along better with her tacher. Atticus also told Scout that part of growing up is to learn for to deal with people like Miss Caroline, Walter. . who have different ideas about how things are done. Chapter 4 1. In what specific ways does Scout criticize the school she is attending During the year, Scout have found the school very boring, and also indicated to us that the regular education for Scout have not done anything to her. 2. Where do you suppose the gum and the pennies are coming from? What makes you think so? I think the gifts are coming from Boo Radley, simplely because where Scout the gift is right at the corner of Boo Radley, as well, Boo always a mystery person to everybody, so this mystery gifts just like Boos character. 3. Scout has two reason for wanting to quit the Radley Game What are they? First of all, I think Scout wanted to quit the game is because once they were playing, and she got push too far, and went right into Boos yard. And she said she heard someone laughing from Boos house. Secondly, because when Jem and Dill are talking about ghost and superstistions, Scout dismisses the story by saying thats nigger talk. Chapter 5 1. Based on the description of Miss Maudie and her conversations with Scout, write a brief character analysis of Miss Maudie. Give your evidence. Miss Maudie is a very friendly and warmth person. She hated staying at her house, she is widow, loved flowers and plants except nut grass, crisp voice, gold filling in her teeth, benevolent, cook well, Baptist. She is very nice and friendly to Scout and Jem, and she earn the same respect from Scout as Atticus have. Just because of her friendship with the children because she can keep sercet for them. 2. Explain Miss Maudies statement on p.49 . ..sometimes the Bible in the hands of one man is worse than a whiskey bottle in the hand ofoh, of your father. Because some one with a Bible on their hand can use the power of it on the wrong direction. 3. Paraphrase Atticuss speech about Radleys right to privacy. Do you agree with his point of view? Why or why not? Atticus policy is basicly tell the children everyone have their right, if he want to come out he will do so, and if chooses not to, that is his right. He is, after all, a human being not a phantom. Chapter 6 1. What reason do Jem and Dill give for trying to peek into the Radley window on this particular night? Their reason of trying to peek into the window is that thats the last night summer. 2. What final statement by Jem makes Scout finally go along with the plan? Jem told Scout that they are just going to go peek through the windows. And against Scout better judgement, she went with them. 3. After the incident. Jems real desire is not just to recover his pants but to keep on good terms with Atticus. What does this tell you about Jems relationship with his father? This have show us that Jem and Atticus have a very good relationship, where Jem would not want to get Atticus angry and dis-trust Jem. That also show us Jem care about the relationship. Chapter 7 1. What was the condition of Jems pants when he found them? Why did their condition frighten him further? Jem found his pants, but the problem is that when he found it, the condition is: mended, and neatly folder. After the whole week he went back to the fence and get it, he was moody and quiet. 2. What is the signifiance of the gift in the tree? From this small gifts given by Boo to Jem and Scout, Jem have kind of become a sercet friends to Boo. 3. Explain why Mr. Nathan fills the hole in the tree with cement. Why does Jem cry about this? Jem have asked Mr. Nathan why he fill the hold with cement, and his reply is that the tree is dieing, and cement will prevent from growing. But Jem afterward have consult Atticus, and Atticus that the tree look heathy. And now Jem realize Mr. Nathan are trying to prevent his brother Boo from pursuing the friendship. Chapter 8 1. Why do Jem and Scout make the snowman such an obvious replica of Mr. Avery? Jem made the snowman by using mud to built the base, and cover it with snow. And it is an unmistakeable resemblance to their neighbor, Mr. Avery. 2. Why does Atticus decide to keep the blanket incident a sercet? Jem was convinceing his father, Atticus, not to return the blanket and keep it a sercet. Since Jem didnt want Mr. Nathan found out about this and punish his brother, Boo. 3. After the fire is over, how does Miss. Maudie feel about the destrustion of her house? What does this tell you about her character, he value? The next morning after the fire, Miss Maudie is already work hard trying to clean up her garden. She accepts good-naturedly the catasrophe which befell her. Part 2 Chapter 9-15 1. Explain Atticus statements about the following: a. the use of the word nigger (p 79) At school when Scout get into a fight with Cecil because Cecil said Atticus is defending niggers. But Atticus explain to Scout that he is not defending nigger, but he is defending for a nergo, and told Scout that she will hear more things in the near future, ask Scout to hold her head high and to keep her fists down. b. his personal reasons for defending Tom Robinson(p 80) His personal reason of taking this case is because he believes in the issues at skate. He will fight his hardest to win the case, even though he is bound to lose, because that is the true meaning of moral courage. c. Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win He is explaining to Scout that every lawyer will be dealing with a case that will affect their whole career, and this is the one for Atticus, and he is saying that even if it is the hardest case, he will use his courage to try his best, since it is morally wrong to Atticus that if he dont take this case just because he have no chance of winning. d. When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness sakes. But dont maje a production of it. Children is children, but they can spot an evasion quicker than adults. ..(p 92) Atticus is saying that if a children is asking something, that mean they are trying to learn more, and we should answer them no matter what, but also children catch on very fast, so dont go too far when answering. f. the answer is she knows I know she tries. Thats what makes a difference.(p 92) He is saying that whatever the children do, as long as they try, thats good enough already. 2. Who are the following people, and how are they related to Atticus and to the children. a. Alexandra She is Atticuss sister, where she didnt agree Atticus defends for Tom Robinson at all. She believe that childrens should run free, especially Scout, she should be taught to be a lady. She is a very good cook as well. b. Francis Francis is cousin of Scout and Jem, where he make insulting remarks about Atticus behind his back because of the Tom Robinson case. c. Jack He us Atticuss brother, and a doctor. Vocabulary Essay 5. Explain Scouts statement that she (Mayella) was lonelier than Boo Radley. Scout think that Mayella didnt mean to hurt Tom. She only wanted affection. Now one wany or another, Mayellas father has convinced her that accusing Tom is the only was to restore the familys lost pride. Chapter 20 1. How does Mr. Raymond defend his deliberate appearance of drunkenness? When Dill drink from Mr. Raymond bottle, Dill was suprised when the drunk turn out to be Coca-Cola. Mr Raymond explain that by appearing to be drunk he offers people an excuse for his outrageous behavior. He tell said he prefers to live with the negroes but he realize the town people cant never accept him if they knew the truth. 2. Why does he tell Scout and Jem about his life? Mr. Raymound told the children his secret because he knows they are young enough not to have been inflected by the thinking of prejudiced adult. Their innocence allows them to see through the artifical barrier of color and to accept an individual for what he is. 3. In five or six sentences, paraphrase Atticus summation (closing speech) to the jury. Atticus says that he feels pity for Mayella because didnt commit a crime, but in fact broken a moral code of society. She is guilty of breaking the code and trying to cover it up by accusing Tom Roninson. Toms motive for helping Mayella was simply that he felt sorry for her. Not everyone is created equal. Some are smarter, soem are born richer, some have better job, etc. All people should be equal in a court. Chapter 21 1. How does Scout know about the verdict before she hears it? The Children expect a easy victory from all the evidence give. But their youth and innocence they had not know of the other, evil forces that would not allow a not guilty verdict. 2. Why do the Negroes stand when Atticus leaves the courtroom? Because they think he is a hero to them, since they know that even though he lost the case he fought as hard as he could. Part 4 Chapter 22-31 1. How does Atticus feel when the verdict is announced? Atticus feel this is not right, and decide to appeal the case. He have also point out that this is not the first time justice has been mocked by white people. 2. After Jem expresses disillusionment over the trial and the verdict, Miss Maudie defends the town and its people. Paraphrase what she say to Jem. From what Miss Maudie told Jem, the jurys ways of doing things have been change. Usually, this kind of case result will be ready in a minute. But this time it take a long time. As well, she also point out that Judge Taylor have found Tom best lawyer possible, which is Atticus instead of using an un-experience Maxwell Green. Miss Maudie use this two things to defends the town and showing sign of change. 3. What cause Miss Maudie to say that at least they have made a baby step in the right direction? What make her say that is the things Maycomb did during this event, people have changed a little bit. But there are still along way to go before black and white can be equal. 4. What kind of clown does Dill decide to be? Explain his reasoning. He want to be a clown when he grow up, the reason is that There aint one thing in this world I can do about folks except laugh Chapter 23 1. How does Atticus react to Bob Ewell against him? Atticus is not unduly upset by Bob Ewells threat. He knows that Bob is angry because even though he won the case, he was shown up as a liar in front of the whole town. And Atticus feels sure that Bob wont act on his threat. 2. Explain Atticus statement about the following: a. reasonable doubt This show his worry toward Tom Robinson, and how the appeal will turn out. b. When its a white mans word against a black mans, the white man always wins. Atticus is saying how the sociaty is prejudice against black people, and the law system is not fair to the black man at all. c. People have a way of carrying their resentments right into the jury box. Atticus are saying that people in the jury box are judging the case with resentment. d. Its all adding up, and one of these days we are going to pay the bill for it. Atticus are trying to say that all these things we are doing to the black peoples one day black people might just do the same thing to us. 3. Briefly show the difference in attitude toward the Cunninghams as expressed by: a. Atticus Cunninghams are one of the jury, and he wanted to acquit Tom Robinson. And he is the person who held the jury decision. Atticus agree the children to be friend with Cunninghams. b. Aunt Alexandra When the children said want to be friend with Cunninghams, she disagree, she said they are trash, their background is difference from them, as well, the children raised by their father have a very difference value. 4. Why cant Jem accept Scouts opinion that there is just one kind of folksfolks Because believe there many difference type of people, and they are not the same folks. Chapter 24 1. What unfortunate characteristics do the ladies of the missionary circle display? Do you think this is typical of such groups? This people are speaking with compassion for the neglicted tribes of Africa while insulting and demeaning the Negroes who work in their homes. I think this is very typical of such groups since this is a group of white people, where the must be all alike each other characteristics. And as we know Aunt Alexandra dont really like Negro, so we can expect the whole group is like this. 2. Discuss the irony of Mrs. Merriweathers admiration for J. Grimes Everett and her attitude toward the trial. Saying that the trial is prejudice against black people, and it cant never be fair to the black. 3. Scout feels she prefers men to women. Why? Do you agree with her reasons? She generally prefers the company of men who do not try to insinuate their criticism behind false praise. Men, she thinks, are more forthright. 4. What does Miss Maudie mean by were paying the highest tribute we can pay a man? I think they are refering to Atticus. Where Atticus is such a great man that they pay the highest tribute they can. Chapter 25 1. How does most of the town react to Toms death? Most part of the town people are not really interested of what happen to Tom. And they are just thinking it was a typical of a nigger to cut and run. 2. In what way is Mr. Underwoods editorial in the Maycomb Tribune similar to Atticus advice to Jem and Scout when they got their guns? Mr Underwoods say it is a sin to kill s cripple just as it is a sin to kill innocent songbird. Chapter 26 1. Scout is growing up. Explain her feelings now about: a. their former cruel games concerning Boo Radley When she walk pass Boos place, she regard of what she did in the pass. And she now hold no terror of Boos place. b. her remaining desire to see Boo in person She is still wondering about see Boo in person. c. Atticus apparent knowledge about their previous activities Atticus told Scout that Jem have no forget about the trial, but she is just storing it in her memory, and put it away until he is better prepare to deal with it. d. Cuurent Event During school, where the teacher is explaining the difference between democracy and dictatorship, the teacher use Uniied States as an example, and Scout was wondering how can they call themselves democracy when they are still prejudice against Negroes. 2. What is the irony of Miss Gates lecture on democracy when compared to her comments at the trial? The irony is that US will be changing and make it fair between Black and White, and in order to become a true demoracy country. 3. When Scout tries to tell Jem about Miss Gates, why does he react so violently? Explain Atticus answer to her about this. Atticus explain that Jem is still not ready to deal with the trial event yet. He have store that event in her memory until she is prepare for it. Chapter 27 1 What were the three threatening things that had happened in Maycomb by the middle of October? First, Bob Ewell got and lost his job, and he complained that Atticus had the job taken from him. Second, someone tried to break into Judge Taylors house, and third, Helen Robinson, had given a job by former Toms employer, Link Deas. 2. Why do Atticus and Aunt Alexandra not intend to go to the Halloween pageant? Atticus and Aunt Alexandra have the feeling that Bob Ewell will not give up that easy, and feel the there will be something happen. Chapter 28 1. What does Cecil Jacobs do before the pageant which helps setup the incidents which occur after the pageant? Cecil Jacobs, jump out all the suddent from the darkness, during the walk to the pageant of Scout and Jem, and fighten them. 2. What things do Jem and Scout think the noise might be? They thought there is someone following them. 3. How many people is finally involved in the skirmsh under the tree? 4 people: Scout, Jem, Boo Radley, and Bob Ewell which is shot by a kitchen knife on his ribs. Chapter 29 1. Who saved Jem and Scout? Boo Radley. The costume Scout wear saved her life, since it blocked the knife and end up on Bob Ewell. 2. Atticus and Heck Tate disagree over the essential worth of Bob Ewell. Whom do you agree with and why? I agree with Heck Tate more, just because the things that Bob have done. Blaming Tom for raping, being un-polite to Atticus, trying to kill Scout and Jem. 3. Briefly describe the meeting beteeen Scout and Boo. How does this compare to how she imagines thee meeting would be? This time, when Scout saw Boo standing in the dark corning all alone, then she realize thats Boo. Chapter 30 1. There seems to be an immediate understanding between Scout and Boo. Why do you think this do so? The connection start where Heck Tale said if they drag Boo into the limelight, is like killing a mockingbird. Scout fully understand the reason not to kill a mockingbird. Scout acknowledges that this is as much of a sin as killing an inncoent songbird. 2. Atticus and Heck Tale have a heated argument. Does either of them really believe what he saying? Atticus that Jem was the one who stabbed Boo for self defence. But Heck said no, he said it is Bob felt on his knife. At first Atticus thought Heck is trying to cover up for Jem, but later he realize he is trying to cover up for Boo, since it is necessary for Boo to kill Bob in order to save the children life. 3. How does Scout assure Atticus that Mr. Tate is right? Scout tell Atticus that putting Boo into the limelight is like killing a mockingbird. Chapter 31 1. When she takes Boo home, Scout understands many things as she sees the street from this new point of view. Explain some of the things she sees now. As she is standing in front of Boo place, she realize the view from Boos place is completely difference. From that point, looking at their own house, where she see herself playing with Jem all through the four session. And after all this year Boo have watch them play, Scout and Jem are kind of like become Boos children.. when they need help, Boo will be there for them. 2. Describe the feelings you experienced as you read the closing scene. I have found that Boo have been in a very sad position, where he watch this kid playing everyday on the street, but he couldnt come out. And he have fall in love with this kid so much that they are like his children. But I have also see that when you have look at things in difference angles, it maybe completely difference, and it might be a big supprise, too.