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To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird

Setting: The setting is in the town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression.

Theme: The main theme in the story is the coexistence of good and evil. The children see the world through innocence, while the adults see it through evil. The children start as seeing the world as innocent, but end as seeing the corruption.

Tone: The tone starts out as innocent, being through the eyes of the child. As the story progresses it gets darker, as the children begin to see the evils of the world.  

Summary: The story is told through Scout Finch, a young child who has a brother Jem. Their Father, Atticus, is a lawyer. Scout and Jem become good friends with a boy called Dill. They eventually venture onto their neighbors land, called the Radley Place. They sneak onto the property during the night and they get shot at by Nathan Radley. During the escape Jem loses his pants, when he goes back for them he sees that they are fixed and placed on the fence. Presumably by Boo, Nathan Radley’s brother. Atticus one day decides to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, in court accused of raping a white woman. His decision brings a lot of heat to his children who still live in a racist community. As the trial takes place Atticus provides sufficient evidence to prove that Tom is innocent and accused wrongly. However the jury still decides that he is guilty of raping and is convicted of the crime. Tom tries to run away and is shot and killed. This really is the transgression of innocence to evil through the children. The final transgression of good to evil was the accused woman’s father Bob Ewell decides he needs revenge on Atticus and his family. One night he attacks Jem and Scout, but Boo comes in and protects the children, and in the process kills Bob. Boo is protected by the sheriff, and the children see the world in a whole new light.

Discussion Notes

Notes:

It’s important for a child to play in the early years of their life, allowing them to develop socially.

This class is customized to you. Allowing you to do what you want and get the results that you want. It’s up to you on how much effort you put into the assignment. While in class you shouldn’t be afraid to ask a question, somebody most likely has the same questions.

As a child a transition from no structure to structure or vice versa should be done gradually. Having a transition can be a shock and they might not be sure as what to do.

1a. These concepts can enhance my learning by motivating me to do what it is I want to do/learn about. Making sure that I ask questions about something that I don’t understand or want to know more about, not only in this class but any class.

1b. These concepts can enhance my ability to master content for the AP exam by allowing me to focus on what it is that I feel is my weakest point, or what it is that I would need more help on. I can use my partner for any help that I need.

1c. I can use these concepts to collaborate with others by working with others who are interested in learning about a topic or are in need of the same help that I am. Getting with other people who are having similar troubles or problems that I have, and working together to find out what it is that went wrong.

Literature Analysis

1.       The plot of “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding is about a group of young boys stranded on an island, during a time of war. All of the boys meet on the beach and elect Ralph as the leader of them. Ralph allows Jack to be the leader of the hunter group. They hunt for food. Ralph creates another group to create a signal fire, in case of a passing ship. They use Piggy’s glasses to start the fire, however they lose control of the fire and it kills a “littleun.” One day a passing ship goes by, and the signal fire was unlit. Ralph went to scold Jack about this, but when he found him, Jack had just got his first kill and was going crazy over it. Ralph calls together a meeting and a littleun plants the idea that there is a monster on the island. That night an airplane battle starts over the island. A dead pilot parachutes down and gets stuck in a tree. Jack and Ralph both hear about this and go to see what it is. When they get back, a meeting is held and Jack claims that Ralph is a coward and he should be removed from the leader position. The boys refuse to, and Jack in anger leaves and creates a new tribe that he is the leader of. A little boy, Simon, gets a vision of the beast on the island, he goes to return the group, and he is pounced on and mauled to death. The only ones feeling any remorse are Piggy and Ralph. Jack’s group starts a raid to steal Piggy’s glasses. When they are stolen Piggy and Ralph go to take them back. Ralph is taking hostage and Piggy is killed. Ralph escapes and runs away, being chased by Jack. He eventually makes it to the end of the island where he finds a navy officer. Being saved, he breaks down in tears.

2.       A theme of the book is a loss of innocence. All the boys start off as young, sweet and carefree. At the end of the book, the majority of them have turned into savage killers, doing whatever they want.

3.       The author’s tone is pessimistic. He never seems to think that the boys were going to make it off the island, and they were all going to live.

4.       Five literary elements that helped me understand the story were symbolism, imagery, simile, metaphor and theme. The theme’s really brought out the essence of the story. That no man is safe from himself, and that every man has a beast inside of him.