To Kill a Mockingbird Journals
Prereading1. What do you know about the novel To Kill a Mockingbird? What are you curious about?
2. Racism in America: Now and Then. How have race relations changed since the 1930’s?
3. Justice: Do you believe our judicial system works? Explain and give examples.
Ch 1-2 Courage-Create a concept web for the word courage. Draw lines extending from the word, then on each line, list
qualities that you associate with someone who shows courage. Discuss real-life situations you know of in
which people have acted courageously.
Ch 3-4 Characterization-
Characterization is the process of conveying information about characters in fiction. Characters are usually presented through their actions, dialect, and thoughts, as well as by description. As you read To Kill a Mockingbird look for clues that help to describe the various characters you encounter.
Directions:
For each of the following characters, explain what you know about them. Focus not only on physical characteristics, but more importantly on aspects of their personality and their roles in the story revealed through what they say, do, how they interact with other characters, or from what others say about them. Then find an example or a direct quote that helps to explain the character.
Jem, Scout, Atticus, Calpurnia, Boo Radley, Walter Cunningham, Dill
Ch 5-7 Point of View-
How would the novel be different if it were written from another point of view?Rewrite a scene from the perspective of either Atticus, Dill, Boo, or Jem
Ch 8-9 Maycomb’s Disease
“You know what’s going to happen as well as I do, Jack, and I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all, without catching Maycomb’s usual disease” (Lee 88).
Discuss this quote, focusing on Maycomb’s disease and what concern Atticus has for his children.
Ch 10-11 Atticus
What are Jem and Scout’s opinions about their father at the beginning of Ch. 10? Be specific. Are they justified?
Ch 12-13 Mixed Messages-
Write about the “mixed messages” you get from various members of your family or from society about how to behave.
Reference Aunt Alexandria vs. Atticus, and the “double life” Calpurnia lives.
Ch 14-15 Mob, MapWhat is “Mob Mentality”? How does it change the way people act?Explain how Scout is able to diffuse the mob in front of the jail.
Trace the children’s path to the jail. Is the map accurate? Point out any inconsistencies you notice.
Ch 16-17 Peer Pressure
Have you ever done anything you are not proud of because you were “going along with the crowd”?
Describe this experience of peer pressure and what you learned from it.
Ch 18-19 Trial
Based on the evidence you have read about so far in the trial, if you were a jury member how would you rule in the case? Cite specific evidence from the testimony to support your decision.
Ch20-22 Baby Steps
Explain the “Baby Step” that Atticus is making according to Miss Maudie.
Ch 23-24 Change of Opinion
Aunt Alexandria seems to change her opinion about the people of Maycomb and the trial during ch. 24. Write about a time when an experience or something you learned has changed your opinion on a subject.
Ch 28-29 Quotes to Theme Idea
Find a meaningful quote from chapters 23-31 (post trial), and explain what THEME or major idea the quote expresses or supports. Analyze the quote (diction, syntax, literary device, characterization, etc.) and explain how it develops or supports a THEME. Include the page number.
Ch 30-31 Theme: The insight into life that the author is expressing through a literary work.
Choose a life lesson that Harper Lee expresses in To Kill a Mockingbird and explain how she develops and expresses the theme through characters’ words and actions, conflicts, and the development of the plot.