Accelerated Pace: Chapters 1-6
Name: _________________________H.W. # ____
To Kill a Mockingbird
Directions: Answer each question completely in well-developed sentences. Support your answers with
evidence from the novel. Type your responses. Responses are due ____________________.
The following are questions which deal with central themes in the novel which begin to appear in the early
chapters. Read each of the themes and answer the related questions completely.
Theme #1: Coming of age tale—The children who begin as the central characters in the novel will confront a
loss of childhood innocence as the cynical and unfair world of the adults creeps into their carefree life.
Questions to answer: How is the innocent world of the children explained in the first six chapters? What do
their summer days consist of in terms of play? How restricted are they from the outside world? (Think about
the limitations of how far they can go on their street to play.) Be sure to mention their active fantasy play,
especially when it comes to imagining stories about the phantom Boo Radley.
Theme #2: Moral development—As illustrated in Atticus’s quote: “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,” Jem and Scout
will begin to empathize with others and understand someone else’s perspective.
Questions to answer: Think about the lesson of empathy (caring for the emotional needs of others) the
children are beginning to learn about others. What specific lesson of empathy does Scout and her classmates
demonstrate when Miss Caroline is brought to tears by the words of Burris Ewell (p 28)? What lesson of
empathy does Calpurnia attempt to teach Scout about Walter Cunningham when he comes to their home for
lunch (p 24-25)? What does Miss Maudie say to Scout and Atticus say to Jem to make the children try to think
twice about making up stories about Boo Radley (p 45-46 and p 49))? Lastly, what important lesson of
empathy does Atticus teach Scout when he discusses the problems at the Ewells’ home (p 30-31)?
Theme #3: Social class hierarchy—Scout soon begins to realize that even in a small, Southern town like
Maycomb, Alabama certain social “rules” apply which identify and label the citizens into levels of social class
ranging from the most respected to the least respected.
Questions to answer: How do you think Scout would arrange the social hierarchy of her small town? Who
would she see as on the top of the social class structure? Where does her family fit in? Where do the
Cunninghams, Ewells, and Calpurnia’s family fit in?
Theme #4: Institutional hypocrisy—Scout is confused by her teachers treatment of her and she is unable to
see that although she is being labeled as difficult and obstinate, it is her teacher who is unable to properly teach.
Miss Caroline only knows how to go by the rules. If any of her students defy her regimented method of
teaching, she reacts by unfairly punishing. The reader will see the same hypocrisy in the institution of law
which is designed to treat all justly but which fails miserably to do so in later scenes.
Questions to answer: Why do you think Miss Caroline is so intimidated by the fact that Scout already knows
how to read and write? Why do you think she reacts so cruelly to Scout over this “problem” (p 18)?
Focus Correction Areas: All responses are to be typed Times New Roman 12, double-spaced, and 1” margin.
FCA#1: The theme must be mentioned in your topic/thesis statement and highlighted. (1 pt.)
FCA#2: All parts of the question must be answered in well-developed sentences. (1 pt.)
FCA#3: Contains underlined evidence in the form of at least 3 supportive details and/or quotes. (2 pts.)
FCA#4: Demonstrates proofreading by having proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling. (1 pt.)
Potential Points to Earn: 4 essay responses X 5 pts = 20 points.