To Kill a Mockingbird
Activity Three: Quote Analysis
Names: __________________________
Task 1: Identify the context and explain the significance of each quotation. Write your answer in the table provided.
Chapter 3
'First of all,' he said, 'if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of
view-'
'Sir?'
'-until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.'
Chapter 11
'A lady?' Jem raised his head. His face was scarlet. 'After all those things she said about you, a lady?'
'She was. She had her own views about things, a lot different from mine, maybe ...son, I told you that if you hadn't lost your head I'd have made you go read to her. I wanted you to see
something about her.- 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 you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.'
Chapter 15
‘what’s the matter?' I asked.
Atticus said nothing. I looked up at Mr Cunningham, whose face was equally impassive. Then he did a peculiar thing. He squatted down and took me by both shoulders.
'I'll tell him you said hey, little lady,' he said.
Then he straightened up and waved a big paw. 'Let's clear out,' he called. 'Let's get going, boys.'
Chapter 17
Mr Ewell wrote on the back of the envelope and looked up complacently to see Judge Taylor looking at him as if he were some fragrant gardenia in full bloom on the witness stand , to see
Mr Gilmer half-sitting, half standing at his table. The jury was watching him, one man leaning over with his hands over the railing.
'What's so interestin'?' he asked.
'You're left handed Mr Ewell,' said Judge Taylor.
Chapter 30
Atticus looked like he needed cheering up. I ran to him and hugged him and kissed him with all my might. 'Yes sir, I understand,' I reassured him. 'Mr. Tate was right.'
Atticus disengaged himself and looked at me. 'What do you mean?'
'Well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird, wouldn't it?'
Task 2: Brainstorm the following questions
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What does Atticus contribute to the novel’s themes or ideas?
What does Atticus contribute to our understanding of Scout and Jem, and what they learn in the novel?
How does Atticus contribute to the novel’s emotional impact?
Find other short quotations to illustrate your ideas, and add these to the table.
Quote
Chapter 2 p 19
‘Your father does
not know how to
teach. You can have
a seat now.’
I mumbled that I
was sorry and
retired meditating
upon my crime.’
Chapter 3
'First of all,' he said, 'if
you can learn a simple
trick, Scout, you'll get
along a lot better with
all kinds of folks. You
never really
understand a person
until you consider
things from his point
of view-'
'Sir?'
'-until you climb into
his skin and walk
around in it.'
Chapter 11
'A lady?' Jem raised his
head. His face was
scarlet. 'After all those
things she said about
you, a lady?'
'She was. She had her
own views about
things, a lot different
from mine, maybe
...son, I told you that if
you hadn't lost your
Context (what is happening, stage in the narrative)
End of summer, Scout’s first day at school. The grade
one teacher Miss Caroline asks Scout to tell Atticus
not to read to her any more. Scout insists Atticus has
no time to read to her, but we learn that she has
picked up the skill from observing him read while
sitting on his lap. Scout is also told not to write until
they are in grade three,.
Significance (to themes, issues, ideas or other events in the plot)
Reflects the subtle ways in which Atticus acts as a role model for his children.
Indicates Scout’s propensity to question authority and protest in the face of
perceived injustice.
Underscores the importance of being raised in a home where education and reading
is valued.
Suggests differences in opinions about the knowledge and skills that should be
imparted to children – this relates to the exploration of cultural values within the
town and the tension between ‘tradition’ and ‘progress’.
Quote
head I'd have made
you go read to her. I
wanted you to see
something about her.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
you see it through no
matter what. You
rarely win, but
sometimes you do.'
Chapter 15
‘what’s the matter?' I
asked.
Atticus said nothing. I
looked up at Mr
Cunningham, whose
face was equally
impassive. Then he did
a peculiar thing. He
squatted down and
took me by both
shoulders.
'I'll tell him you said
hey, little lady,' he
said.
Then he straightened
up and waved a big
paw. 'Let's clear out,'
he called. 'Let's get
going, boys.'
Context (what is happening, stage in the narrative)
Significance (to themes, issues, ideas or other events in the plot)
Quote
Chapter 17
Mr Ewell wrote on the
back of the envelope
and looked up
complacently to see
Judge Taylor looking at
him as if he were
some fragrant
gardenia in full bloom
on the witness stand ,
to see Mr Gilmer halfsitting, half standing at
his table. The jury was
watching him, one
man leaning over with
his hands over the
railing.
'What's so interestin'?'
he asked.
'You're left handed Mr
Ewell,' said Judge
Taylor.
Chapter 30
Atticus looked like he
needed cheering up. I
ran to him and hugged
him and kissed him
with all my might. 'Yes
sir, I understand,' I
reassured him. 'Mr.
Tate was right.'
Atticus disengaged
himself and looked at
me. 'What do you
mean?'
'Well, it'd be sort of
like shootin' a
mockingbird, wouldn't
it?'
Context (what is happening, stage in the narrative)
Significance (to themes, issues, ideas or other events in the plot)
Quote
Context (what is happening, stage in the narrative)
Significance (to themes, issues, ideas or other events in the plot)