Fu 1 Elizabeth Fu Ms. Hollison Adv.

English 10 August 28th, 2013 To Kill a Mockingbird Quote Notes If he didnt teach you, who did? Miss Caroline asked good-naturedly. Somebody did. You werent born reading The Mobile Register. Jem says I was. He read in a book where I was a bullfinch instead of a Finch. Jem says my names really Jean Louise Bullfinch, that I go swapped when I was born and Im really a Using Previous Knowledge to Strengthen the Response Thomas Bullfinch was a relatively well known author, most known for his work 'Bullfinch's Mythology'. Because Jem tells Scout that she was born reading was born with the ability to read, he called her Jean Louise Bullfinch, an allusion made to show the reader that Scout is truly a good reader. By making this allusion and comparing Scout to a well-known author, Jem shows just how good Scout is at reading. The theme of education is shown here as Miss Caroline did not want Atticus teaching Scout to read, showing the injustice in the Maycomb school system itself. Theme: Education Im just trying to tell you the new way Using Previous Knowledge to Strengthen theyre teachin the first grade, stubborn. Its the Response the Dewey Decimal System (24). This is the first of several explanations Jem gives Scout throughout the novel that is erroneous. The Dewey Decimal System, developed by Melvil Dewey, is a method used to shelve books in libraries and has nothing to do with education. Jem is probably thinking of John Dewey, who was known for his education concepts. Scouts teacher was most likely trained to implement John Deweys educational theories into her teaching, which were popular in that time. Theme: Education Miss Caroline waving cards at us on Personal Connection which were printed the, cat, rat, man, Although Miss Carolines teaching methods and you. No comment seemed to be might appear unconventional, it is clear that expected of us, and the class received these her intent is pure at heart to do her job and impressionistic revelations in silence. I was educate her students. Like many other bored, so I began a letter to Dill. Miss teachers that I have had, Miss Caroline is only Caroline caught me writing and told me to tell doing her best to teach the students using the my father to stop teaching me. (24) only system she was taught to teach with.

Fu 2 However, slightly later on it was apparent that the system she was using to teach was not working well, showing that understanding and learning concepts must be experienced and does not consist of just memorizing. The theme of education is present here as the ineffectiveness of the Maycomb school system is shown again. Theme: Education After a dreary conversation in our living Personal Connection room one night about his entailment, before When Mr. Cunningham, wasnt able to pay Mr. Cunningham left he said, Mr. Finch, I Atticus in cash for his service, Atticus dont know when Ill ever be able to pay accepted his payment in vegetables without you. Let that be the least of your worries, criticism or judgment, showing himself to be Walter, Atticus said (27). an empathetic man who tries to put himself in other peoples shoes. Atticus is an example of someone who understands the hardships other people are going through, showing his morality. Here, the theme of human morality shines through as Atticus displays an important lesson in his actions: to empathize with others. Accepting Mr. Cunninghams payment even though it was not in cash shows Atticus to be an understanding man. Atticus is right. We shouldnt cause more problems for people and we should try to be understanding of their problems. Theme: Human morality When she squinted down at me the tiny lines Using Previous Knowledge to Strengthen around her eyes deepened. Theres some the Response folks who dont eat like us, she whispered The novel takes place in 1933, in the midst of fiercely, but you aint called on to contradict the Great Depression. When Calpurnia scolds em at the table when they dont. That boys Scout and says, Theres some folks who yo compny and if he wants to eat up the dont eat like us, she is referring to Walters table cloth you let him, you hear (32)? family. In the early 1900s during the Great Depression, everyone had less to eat but still fared better than the families who depended on farming, such as Walters. The quote shows the theme of education because it shows an example of Calpurnia acting as a mother figure to Scout and assisting Atticus in their development by educating them to be polite and ethical people. Theme: Education Whole schools full of em. They come first Personal Connection day every year and then leave. The truant lady The theme of social inequality is strong here gets em here cause she threaten em with the as shown through people like the Ewells who sheriff, but shes give up tryin to hold em. take advantage of other people. In real life, She reckons shes carried out the law just this happens all the time. Social injustice in

Fu 3 getting their names on the roll and runnin em here the first day(36). Theme: Social inequality You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view until you climb into his skin and walk around in it(39). society is common as many people try to stop vigilantes from misbehaving but often give up in the end. Personal connection This quote portrays the novels theme of putting yourself in perspective to try to understand others. Here, Atticus is teaching Scout to try to understand people instead of judging them. This lesson also becomes more important throughout the novel and is the main lesson Scout and Jem learn as they grow up. Atticus is completely correct. You cant know what someone is really going through unless you at least try to see things from their point of view. Here, the theme of perspective and education shows through Atticuss lesson to Scout about trying to understand other people. Theme: Perspective, education He said that the Ewells were members of an Literary Device: Indirect Characterization exclusive society made up of Ewells. In of the Townspeople certain circumstances the common folk In this quote Lee shows that sometimes judiciously allowed them certain privileges by people will overlook laws when the safety of the simple method of becoming blind to some people, such as in this case the other children of the Ewells activities. They didnt have to at school, are at stake. Mr. Ewell, a drunk go to school for one thing (41). who refuses to work and spends what money his family makes on alcohol, is a hazard to the people in town. The citizens wish to avoid his drunken actions interfering with their lives as much as possible and also realize that hunting out of season is the only way his children will have something to eat. Although it is vastly unfair to give Ewell privileges, the citizens of Maycomb are not going to risk endangering their children. The quote shows social inequality in that the citizens of Maycomb are forced to choose the safety of their children over their privileges and rights. Theme: Social Inequality if Atticus Finch drank until he was drunk he Literary Device: Indirect Characterization wouldnt be as hard as some men are at their Miss Maudie is mostly referring to Bob Ewell best. There are just some kind of men who when she makes this statement about Atticus. whore so busy worrying about the next world Her words show Atticuss ethical, moral theyve never learned to live in this one (60). character by saying that he is a more compassionate and understanding man drunk than other men at their best. The theme of human morality is shown through Miss Maudies words about Atticuss kindness. Theme: Human morality

Fu 4 Then Mr. Averys face appeared in an upstairs window. He pushed a mattress out the window and into the street and threw down furniture until men shouted, Come down from there, Dick! The stairs are going! Get outta there, Mr. Avery (93)! Personal Connection Despite the fact that earlier in the novel, Jem and Scout made fun of Mr. Avery, calling him grumpy and sculpting a comical snowman in his likeness, Mr. Avery proved to be brave when Miss Maudies house burned down. This is a lot like when you have a bad impression of someone that changes when you see that their intentions are good at heart, when someones true colors completely different from what you might think of them initially. The theme of bravery shows here through the hidden courage of Mr. Avery. Theme: Bravery Boo Radley. You were so busy looking at Literary Device: Indirect Characterization the fire you didnt know it when he put the This marks the first interaction between Boo blanket around you (96). and Scout, although she didnt even know it. This simple act of kindness showed the first time Boo Radley reached out to someone in a very long time, showing his true character to be a compassionate man and not the ghost he was named after. Boos act of kindness also shows the theme of human morality. Theme: Human morality Dont you worry about me, Jean Louise Literary Device: Indirect Characterization Finch. There are ways of doing things you Miss Maudie is more than the friendly lady dont know about. Why, Ill build me a little next door that bakes. Its shown here that she house and take me a couple of roomers and is a very strong person. After her house gracious, Ill have the finest yard in burned to the ground, she viewed it as a Alabama (97). chance to start over instead of an utter disaster. This is yet another example of hidden courage. The theme of bravery shows as Miss Maudie faces a catastrophe with a bravery by having a bright outlook on the future. Theme: Bravery do one thing for me if you will: you just hold Personal Connection your head high and keep those fists down. No Atticuss wise words dont just apply to Scout matter what anybody says to you, dont you but to everyone today too. No matter what let em get your goat. Try fighting with your anyone says or does, we should keep our head for a changeits a good one, even if it heads up and fight for what they believe in. does resist learning (101). The theme of bravery and education are prevalent in Atticuss words as he tells them to stay strong in difficult times and keep fighting. Atticus is trying to instill the lesson in Scout and Jem while they are still young. Theme(s): Bravery, education You know, Id hoped to get through life Using Previous Knowledge to Strengthen without a case of this kind, but John Taylor the Response pointed at me and said, Youre It. Uncle Jacks comment to Atticus about letting

Fu 5 Let this cup pass from you, eh (117)? this cup pass is a reference to the Holy Bible. In the Bible before Jesus was crucified, he said, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done (Luke 22:42)". When Jesus prayed to God to take this cup from him, he was asking that to be taken pity on and perhaps avoid his condemned fate. As cup commonly symbolizes fate, Uncle Jack said this to Atticus because he knew his brother was going to have a rough time defending Tom Robinson in the trial while still trying to convince Scout and Jem of the goodness the world holds. Uncle Jack was referring to the hate from the racists in Maycomb that Atticus was going to have to endure. The passage also shows Atticuss courage. Even though he didnt want to defend Tom because he knew what the outcome would be, he was still going to try his best. Literary Device: Symbolism Foreshadowing Throughout the course of the novel, Scout and Jem repeatedly learn about the significance of mockingbirds who have been killed or hidden from sight. The figurative mockingbirds stand for innocents whose purity and virtuousness was spoiled too soon because of the malevolence of humanity. Ruining the goodness of someone is like killing a mockingbird, and like something thats dead, once its gone, its gone forever and can never be fully replaced. This passage was an emblematic lesson in Jem and Scouts moral education, even though only the reader realizes it. Without knowing, the children learned an important lesson herenot to hurt anything that is harmless and needs caring for. This scene also foreshadows the death of the innocent Tom Robinson, in that Tom was also a mockingbird. Personal Connection The theme of education takes center here as Scout learns that violence is never the answer, even if someone is being horrible to her.

Theme: Bravery Mockingbirds dont do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They dont eat up peoples gardens, dont nest in corncribs, they dont do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. Thats why its a sin to kill a mockingbird (119).

Theme(s): Human morality, education It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived (134).

Fu 6 Atticus is completely correct about not facing violence with violence and being kind to everyone. If we were horrible to everyone who hurt us, it would only cause more violence and cause more people to get hurt. A real life example are wars between countries, which are caused by an issue, faced with violence, and resulting in even more bloodshed. An example in the novel is Bob Ewell, who is horrible to everyone who, in his mind, wronged him in one way or another (basically the whole town). And in the end of the novel, it didnt end so well for Bob Ewell, who faced violence with violence. Using Previous Knowledge to Strengthen the Response This quote shows the inequality in the social pyramid during that time of the world as well as the racism in the South among people such as Mrs. Dubose. During the 1900s, African Americans were generally at the bottom of the social hierarchy, especially in the Southern States. They were commonly treated badly and were usually servants, carpenters, or housemaids, jobs of low pay. Mrs. Dubose is the typical example of an ignorant racist back them. In addition, she also dislikes Atticus because he is defending Tom Robinson against the white people. The theme of social inequality runs strong here with injustice among the rights of the African Americans and the Caucasians, and also Mrs. Duboses unfairness for attacking Atticus verbally for helping Tom. Personal Connection Atticuss lesson to his children also applies to everyone too. Even though all the white people in Maycomb are angry at Atticus because he going to defend a black man in the trial, he stands his ground and refuses to drop out of the case. Because of this, Jem and Scout are also pestered with countless malicious remarks about their father. Like Atticus taught Scout and Jem here, people should be considerate, understanding, and respectful of the views and problems of others

Theme: Education Your fathers no better than the niggers and trash he works for (135)!

Theme: Social inequality before I can live with other folks Ive got to live with myself. The one thing that doesnt abide by majority rule is a persons conscience (140).

Fu 7 and that out our life choices not be carried out by popularity votes or what other people think, but according to our own set of moral values. The theme of education is shown here because what Atticus tells his children here becomes one of the most important lessons Scout learns. Literary Device: Indirect Characterization Here, Atticus shows his children a different kind of braverya kind of courage to fight off your own demons even though you know youll lose. Even though Mrs. Dubose was nothing but discourteous and offensive to Atticus and his children, he understood the difficulties she was going through and admired her for trying to break herself off of morphine. In a different way, the theme of bravery is shown in Mrs. Dubose. What Mrs. Dubose was trying to accomplish before she died showed that despite all the snarky, rude comments to Atticus and his children, she was a brave soul trying to fight off the thing that was killing her, morphine. Literary Device: Symbolism The camellia given to Jem by Mrs. Dubose stands for what Atticus says is her way of showing appreciation. The whiteness and flawlessness of the flower symbolizes the underlying purity of Mrs. Duboses heart that Atticus believes everyone to have. This gesture makes it clear that Mrs. Dubose, despite how much she chastised him, appreciated Jems help. However, Jem does not yet understand that virtuosity and evil can coexist in people and reacts angrily. Mrs. Dubose giving Jem this gift also shows a spark of human morality within herself because it was her way of thanking Jem for what he had done for her. Personal Connection Here, Atticus is reinforcing the same lesson he taught Jem and Scout earlierthat one does not need violence in order to appear brave or courageous. This passage is also fitting to describe Atticuss bravery in defending Tom in the trial, because even

Theme: Education She said that she was going to leave this world beholden to nothing and nobody. Jem, when youre sick as she was, its all right to take anything to make it easier, but it wasnt all right for her. She said she meant to break herself of it before she died, and thats what she did (148).

Theme: Bravery Inside, surrounded by wads of damp cotton, was a white, waxy, perfect camellia (148).

Theme: Human morality 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. Its when you know youre licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do (149).

Fu 8 though he knew they were going to lose before it started, he still went through with it. This is one of the main lessons about ethics that the children learn throughout the book, and an important lesson in real life too. Atticus is right when he repeatedly teaches Jem and Scout that violence isnt needed to be brave. The true meaning of courage is standing up for what we believe in and sticking to our moral values no matter the odds against us. Using Previous Knowledge to Strengthen the Response In the 1930s in the midst of the Great Depression, social inequality was prevalent not only among white people but also African Americans in terms of racism. Different races had different churches in which only their race was accepted. Segregation of races caused the problem of social inequality to intensify among both groups. Although the African Americans were mostly on the bottom of the social hierarchy and were often pushed around by white people, they were also the ones doing some of the shunning. Here, the theme of social inequality is shown what Lula asks Jem and Scout to leave because they were white. The people of Maycomb often arbitrated people based on their race instead of judging them as unique individuals. Literary Device: Indirect Characterization At first glance, Aunt Alexandra appears to be a cold, dictatorial, racist woman, so much that she seems to personify the prejudiced locals in Maycomb such as Mrs. Dubose. However, despite her disdain and rudeness to people to the less fortunate, she truly only wants her family to thrive and cares about them. Her persistence in trying to have Scout become more ladylike and asking Atticus to fire Cal is actually her caring about her family. In her mind, the most important thing to her is her family knowing who they are and upholding the Finch name. She wants the children to learn about what their family has

Theme(s): Education, bravery You aint got no business bringin white chillum herethey got their church, we got ourn. It is our church, aint it, Miss Cal (158)?

Theme: Social inequality She asked me to tell you you must try to behave like the little lady and gentleman that you are. She wants to talk to you about the family and what its meant to Maycomb County through the years, so youll have some idea of who you are (178).

Fu 9 accomplished because her only true motive is for Scout and Jem to grow into decent adults who will bring pride to the Finch family name. The theme of human morality is strong here as beneath Aunt Alexandras hard and cruel exterior, she is a kind and caring woman, showing that one that appears wicked might have ethical motives at heart.

Theme(s): Human morality They dont belong anywhere. Colored folks wont have em because theyre half white; white folks wont have em cause theyre colored, so theyre just in-betweens, dont belong anywhere. But Mr. Dolphus, now, they say hes shipped two of his up north. They dont mind em up north. Yonders one of em. (page 215)

Using Previous Knowledge to Strengthen the Response This is yet another example of the existence of social inequality in Maycomb. In the midst of the Great Depression, racial prejudice was at its worst, and mixed people were shunned by both whites and blacks. The injustice is in the fact that the mixed should be accepted by both communities, but instead they are considered not good enough for white people and shirked by black people. The theme of social inequality takes front and center in this passage as it displays acts of racial prejudice in both whites and blacks at the time. Theme: Social inequality Mr. Finch is always courteous to Literary Device: Indirect Characterization everybody. Hes not trying to mock you, hes Judge Taylors words not only show the trying to be polite (243). audience that Atticus is a courteous and civil man but also further characterize him to the reader. Atticus is shown time and again to be a benevolent and loving man, and the ultimate representation of human morality in the novel. He is aware that all people deserve to be loved and understood, and this emphasizes one of the central lessons in the novel: the importance in treating everyone equally, with kindness and respect. The theme of human morality takes front and center here because despite how prejudiced the citizens of Maycomb are, most of them see the good in Atticus. Atticus is characterized at a moral and ethical man. Theme: Human morality It was Jems turn to cry. His face was Literary Device: Indirect Characterization streaked with angry tears as we made our way This passage in the novel marked Jems through the cheerful crowd. It aint right, he death as a mockingbird. His youthful muttered (285). hopefulness about the good in all people was brought to an untimely end after he saw the

Fu 10 injustice of Tom Robinsons trial. After this point in the novel, Jem acts rather different. His experience with the unfairness of the prejudiced Maycomb citizens made him think that perhaps not everyone had good in them like Atticus claimed they did. The outcome of the trial marked the end of Jems innocent youth and the start of his journey into adulthood. Here, through dialogue, Jem is characterized as a young and innocent boy whose hope in society was broken. The theme of human morality is strong here as Jem now no longer sees good in all people. He realizes the bitter reality of life, that many of the people of Maycomb hold prejudice in their hearts. Theme: Human morality For one thing, Miss Maudie cant serve on a Using Previous Knowledge to Strengthen jury because shes a woman the Response You mean women in Alabama cant? In the early 1900s, men had more legal rights I was indignant (296). than women, especially in the South. Women were expected to be the ones who did all the entertaining and took care of the children and were even considered delicate fragile things by many misogynistic or sexist men. On the other hand, men were allowed to own property and businesses, vote, have jobs, and run in politics. In this passage, Scout is shocked by the inequality of rights between men and women. The theme of social inequality runs strong here as the discrimination towards women is shown through historical evidence that men had more rights than women. Theme: Social inequality No, everybodys gotta learn, nobodys born Literary Device: Syntax knowin. That Walters as smart as he can be, In this quote, Lee shows Scouts youthful he just gets held back sometimes because he innocence through the simple composition of has to stay out and help his daddy. Nothins her dialogue. When compared to the more wrong with him. Naw, Jem, I think theres complex passages that adult Scout, who just one kind of folks. Folks (304). narrates the novel, uses, nine year old Scout seems contrastingly childish and innocent. The author uses syntax, or the juxtaposition of sentence structure, to highlight the main lesson that young Scout has learnedthat all people are equal and hence should be treated with equal respect. Theme: Education Thats what I thought, too, he said at last, Literary Device: Indirect Characterization

Fu 11 when I was your age. If theres just one kind of folks, why cant they get along with each other? If theyre all alike, why do they go out of their way to despise each other? Scout, I think Im beginning to understand something. I think Im beginning to understand why Boo Radleys stayed shut up in the house all this timeits because he wants to stay inside (304). In this passage it is shown through Jems dialogue that he understands and has learned to see things from other peoples perspectives. His dialogue also characterizes the change in his views. Before the trial, he found it difficult to understand seeing from others perspectives but after experiencing the hate the people of Maycomb held, he understood why Boo stayed shut up inside the house. The theme of education is front and center here as Jem has learned one of the most important lessons in the novel: to try to understand other people. Literary Device: Indirect Characterization In this quote, it is shown again through Aunt Alexandras dialogue that despite her prejudiced and racist views, she does care about her brother Atticus. Her dialogue exemplifies Aunt Alexandra to be a caring and loving person who wants the best for her family. The theme of human morality is strong here as it is proven through Aunt Alexandras dialogue that her intentions are pure at heart. Personal Connection Jem shows that he has learned not to hurt things that do no harm to him. The theme of education is clear here as one of the biggest lessons Jem and Scout learn throughout the novel is to not let harm come to the innocent, or not to kill mockingbirds. Atticuss lesson to his children is completely correct. Letting the innocent be hurt is like murdering a guiltless creature. We shouldnt bother harmless people and creatures. Literary Device: Irony The irony in what Miss Gates says, that the citizens of Maycomb dont believe in persecuting any-body is that throughout the novel the people of Maycomb have been exemplified as prejudiced racists. In part, the people of Maycomb may have sided with Bob Ewell at Tom Robinsons trial because they all knew Bob would go ballistic if he lost (and it wouldnt be pretty), but it was mostly because none of them wanted to side with a

Theme: Education I mean this town. Theyre perfectly willing to let him do what theyre too afraid to do themselvesit might lose em a nickel. Theyre perfectly willing to let him wreck his health doing what theyre afraid to do, theyre (316)

Theme: Human morality He was certainly never cruel to animals, but I had never known his charity to embrace the insect world. Why couldnt I mash him? I asked. Because they dont bother you, Jem answered in the darkness (320).

Theme: Education Then Miss Gates said, Thats the difference between America and Germany. We are a democracy and Germany is a dictatorship. Dictator-ship, she said. Over here we dont believe in persecuting any-body. Persecution comes from people who are prejudiced. Prejudice, she enunciated carefully (329).

Fu 12 black man. The theme of social inequality is clear in the fact that at the trial, no one stood up for Tom even though they knew Atticus was right. The people of Maycomb let their discrimination towards people of different races get the best of them and so they sided with Bob Ewell. Had they put aside their prejudicial views for the trial, Tom would have been set free and declared the innocent man that he was. Theme: Social Inequality Yes sir, I understand, I reassured him. Literary Device: Indirect Characterization Mr. Tate was right. Atticus disengaged This dialogue exchange between Atticus and himself and looked at me. What do you Scout shows that Scout has grown up. She mean? now understands what Atticus meant earlier Well, itd be sort of like shootin a when he said not to kill mockingbirds mockingbird, wouldnt it (370)? she now gets that the mockingbirds were a metaphor for the innocent. Atticus and Scouts talk shows a change in Scout. She has grown up throughout the novel and is now understanding of what Atticus told her. Like Heck Tate, she realizes that if they gave Boo credit for saving her and Jem, the attention would do more harm than good. In this way, the themes of human morality and education are obvious here as Scout is characterized as a now empathetic and compassionate girl who now understands what Atticus was trying to teach her and Jem about seeing things from other perspectives. Theme(s): Human morality, education Atticus was right. One time he said you Personal Connection never really know a man until you stand in his Scouts understanding of Atticuss words shoes and walk around in them. Just standing shows that she now knows to have on the Radley porch was enough (374). compassion and understanding to all people. This shows Scout to be now much wiser than the prejudiced citizens of Maycomb, even though she is only nine. The themes of perspective and education takes center as Scout realizes what Atticus meant when he taught her and Jem to putting themselves in other peoples shoes. Atticus is right that people will never really understand someone until you see things from their point of view. It is difficult for me to empathize with someone if I do not know what they are going through feels like. But if I at least try to put myself in their shoes, it will be much easier to

Fu 13 see things from their perspective. Personal Connection Over the course of the novel, Scout learns a lot and becomes a mature and understanding person through experience. Even though by the end of the novel Scout was only nine, she knew more about life than many of the citizens of Maycomb. The theme of education is clear here because Scout knows that not everything can be learned at school. Some things must be learned through experience. The life lessons that Scout learned from Atticus and experience could never be learned from sitting in a classroom. This is true to our lives as well. Often times when we are young or inexperienced, we are naive about many things and they aren't always what we first perceive them to bejust like Jem and Scout, who discovered their original impressions of the people of Maycomb were wrong after the Tom Robinson trial. Theme: Education Atticus, he was real nice His hands were Personal Connection under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking By the end of the novel, Scout has developed it around me. Most people are, Scout, when from the innocent and nave little girl into a you finally see them (376). compassionate and understanding person. The theme of human morality is clear here at the book ends on a note that again reinforces that everyone should be treated with equality and empathy, and that most people hold goodness in their heart. Atticus is right that most people are nice when you finally see them. This is true to society today too. Regardless of how someone appears or acts initially, Ive found that most people are nice once you get to really know them. Theme: Human morality Theme(s): Perspective, education As I made my way home, I thought Jem and I would get grown but there wasnt much else left for us to learn, except possibly algebra (374).