Jaclyn,+Stephanie,+Ally,+Andrea,+Alex

Harper Lee
 * //To Kill A Mockingbird//**

Author Background:
 * Born in Monroeville, Alabama in 1926
 * There was a lot of racial discrimination during her childhood
 * Her father was a lawyer
 * Was childhood friends with Truman Capote, a famous author
 * She spent her summers playing with her brother and Capote

Character Sketch

Scout
 * wears overalls
 * tomboy
 * primary school age
 * well educated for her age
 * her pride is easily wounded
 * more careful than her brother
 * follower rather than a leader

Francis
 * rude
 * not very adventurous
 * conceited
 * 8 years old

Chapter 1-10 Summary

Scout, Jem, and Dill spent a lot of time analyzing the Radelys and played games based on the stories they heard. Boo always seems to be watching them and leaves them presents. Scout is advanced in school and is punished for it. Miss Maudie's house burns down. The Finches go to Finch Landing for Christmas and Scout gets scolded by her aunt for not being ladylike. Scout starts to get harassed by her peers because her father is defending Tom Robinson, who is a black man.









Symbols:
 * The tree that resides on the Radley property where Jem and Scout found the nifty gifties represents the bond they have with Boo Radley.
 * The Black church represents the segragation that is still present within Maycomb.
 * When Dill ran away he came and hid underneath //Scout's// bed and not his best friend, Jem's bed. This represents his love for Scout.
 * The snowman melting represents the community crumbling to pieces.
 * The unusual snowfall represents childhood innocence.

Conflicts:
 * Person vs. person
 * Jem and Scout vs. Mrs. Dubose
 * Mrs. Dubose said mean comments about Atticus to Jem and Scout.
 * Person vs. society
 * Atticus vs. society
 * Most of society doesn't agree with Atticus' choice of defending a negro.
 * Person vs. society
 * Tom Robinson vs. prejudice society
 * Because of his color, Tom is found guilty of a crime he did not commit.
 * Person vs. person (socitey also)
 * Scout vs. Aunt Alexandra (socitey also)
 * Alexandra is always trying to convert Scout into a proper, young lady.
 * Person vs. fate
 * Tom vs. fate
 * Because of the jury's decision to convict Tom of rape he is now face with the possibility of the death penalty.
 * Person vs. self
 * Atticus vs. self
 * Atticus is forced into the situation in which he must shoot a dog; when he hasn't handled a gun (out of choice) in awhile.

__Novel questions and answers__

1) What elements make this a good book?
 * The main character being young and innocent makes this a good book because it gives the author's view from a different perception.
 * The morals presented within the novel make it good because they show the reader the conflicts of right and wrong in the world.
 * The plotline made this a good book because it was longer than one year. With this longer timeline the reader is able to witness the characters mature and evolve more.

2) What would make this book better? 3) What's the one most important thing the author wants you to know? 4) What does the audience need to know/understand to enjoy the book? 5)What's our overall reccomendation?
 * If the author gave more information about the Finch family it would it more relatable. Such as, why don't the children call Atticus "Dad"? Or how exactly did their mother die?
 * It would help if the author gave a more in-depth resolution. In the end it never states what happens to the Ewall children now that they don't have any parents among other unanwered questions.
 * The author wants the reader to learn not the judge others. In the novel, people were judged by their race, living standard, and family background. Throughout the story Atticus places emphasis on the unfairness of these things.
 * The audiece needs to know background on the civil rights movement and tradition women's roles.
 * It helps a lot to know when this novel takes place before starting to read. This novel takes place around the 1930's or 40's.
 * We all recomend this book (besides Alex) because it was full of excitement and real life issues. Alex dislikes this novel because it "lacked excitment and purpose."