Study Questions: To Kill a Mockingbird
In order to study for the final exam, read through all of your notes and writings on the book. Read each of the following questions and be sure that you know specific details to answer each. Write detailed answers to each of the following questions on a separate piece of paper. Additionally, make an outline, find quotations, and write a thesis statement for the essay section of the exam. The final exam will have three sections: a short answer section using some of the questions below and a quotation identification section, and an essay section. The exam will be given on Monday morning. You can earn points on your progress on the study questions each day and earn some extra credit by doing a thorough job on them. The final exam is worth 250 points.
Describe Boo Radley's character and personal history? What is the difference between his true personality and how the townspeople see him? How do Scout's perceptions of him change throughout the novel?
Describe Scout's personality. How does she change during the novel?
What are the general values of Maycomb County (based on the school and court scenes)?
Describe Atticus' parenting style. Do you think he's a good father? Explain.
Why does Atticus defend Tom Robinson?
Describe Scout's relationship with Uncle Jack. What does he learn from her?
Why does Atticus say Mrs. Dubose was the bravest person he ever knew? What does he mean?
What is Aunt Alexandra like? What is her opinion of Scout and the way Atticus raises her? Do you think it was a good thing that she moved in with Jem and Scout?
Describe Calpurnia's character and the two worlds she lives in. What is her relationship like with Scout, with Atticus?
How does Scout dissolve the heated situation between Atticus and the lynch mob in front of the jail? Why was she so effective?
Describe Judge Taylor. Why does he choose Atticus to defend Tom Robinson?
Describe the Ewell home, lifestyle, and values. Be specific.
Describe the Cunningham home, lifestyle, and values. Be specific.
Describe Mr. Dolphus Raymond’s character. What is the difference between his true personality and how the townspeople see him? Why does he hide his true personality? What is your opinion of him?
Describe Tom Robinson’s character. Why do you think he tries to escape from prison?
What do the facts in the trial show? How did the jury rule? Why did they find this?
Describe Bob Ewell's character. Use specific examples. What's your opinion of him?
Describe Mayella Ewell’s character. Use specific examples. What’s your opinion of her?
What are the different ways Maycomb County reacts to Tom Robinson's death? What does this show about the values of people in the town?
Why is the novel titled "To Kill a Mockingbird"? How is this the main theme of the novel? Be sure to mention Tom Robinson and Boo Radley.
What do the roly poly scene and Helen Robinson have to do with this main theme of the novel? Explain each individually.
What is your opinion of the book as whole. Explain why you have this opinion.
What does the story of the "Grey Ghost" have to do with another central theme in the novel? How do Mr. Dophus Raymond, Boo Radley and Mrs. Dubose connect to this theme?
Essay Section: To prepare for the essay section of the final, brainstorm on the following topic, then make an outline (check out the sample outline if you need help), find quotations, and write a thesis statement. You may use on piece of paper with the above notes to help you write your essay on the exam.
Thematic Interpretation I: In addition to being the title of the book, the senseless killing of (mocking)birds is mentioned in a few key places in the novel. Why is the killing of birds important to the novel as a whole? Who are the symbolic mockingbirds in the novel? How do the symbolic mockingbirds, the title, and the mockingbird quotations show the main theme of the novel? What messages about society and human interaction does Lee convey through this theme? What does the novel tell readers about respect, understanding, hatred, and human interaction? Please support your opinions and interpretation with specific examples and direct quotations from the book.
Thematic Interpretation II: Use the story of “The Gray Ghost” to show how Harper Lee develops the theme "you never really understand a man until you walk around in his shoes" through her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Be sure to give examples of characters who were judged unfairly: Mr. Dolphus Raymond, Boo Radley, Mrs. Dubose, Tom Robinson, and the Gray Ghost. Does the novel effectively teach readers about respect, understanding, prejudice, hatred, and human interaction? Please support your opinions and interpretation with specific examples and direct quotations from the book.