To Kill a Mockingbird
Name_________________
Looking at Characters
Many of the characters in the film are depicted as stereotypes. Look at the list below of characters,
explain how they are stereotyped. Then analyze if any of them break through the behavior expected
of them, showing individuality and exposing the falseness of narrowly labeling people by identifying
how they broke the label of stereotype.
Character
1. Aunt Stephanie
Stereotype
Break Out
2. Miss Dubose
3. Judge Taylor
4. Sheriff Tate
5. The Townspeople of
Maycomb
6. The jury
Analyzing Symbolism and Gothic Elements in the Film.
Part I. Certain objects take on symbolic value in the film; that is, an object is used by the author as
a part of the setting or narrative, yet that object symbolism, or represents something outside itself.
What do the following symbolize?
Object
7. Mockingbird
8. The mad dog
9. Mrs. Dubose’s Camellias
10. The gun
11. The cemented hole in the tree
12. The columns on the building of the
courthouse
Symbolizes
Part II. To Kill a Mockingbird has the gothic theme present, including elements such as the
supernatural, ghosts, sinister murders, sexual violence, haunted houses, prisons and dungeons,
encounter with people unlike ourselves, and the baleful influence of the past. Behind the gothic is the
idea of imprisonment within and the breaking through boundaries. When characters attempt to break
out of boundaries, violence inevitably breaks out. Identify these elements in the film.
Gothic Elements
13.
foreboding of evil
14.
ghosts and ghost houses
15.
insanity
16.
imprisonment, including barriers,
walls and veils
17.
taboos including race mixing
18.
forbidden secrets
19.
violence, especially having to do with
attempting to break boundaries
Events in the film