Mockingbird - Themes

Question 1

What is a dichotomy?

Answer 1

The contrast between two opposite things e.g. good and evil

Question 2

What are lee’s intentions with the theme ‘difference’?

Answer 2

• to highlight the inequalities and predudices of 1930s america
• to prompt a reflection on the modern day and to see if anything changes

Question 3

What key moments explore the theme of difference?

Answer 3

• scout + Jem visit calpernias church
• Walter Cunningham not having lunch money + pouring syrup on his food
• scout as a tomboy
• tom Robinson court scene
• children tourmenting boo

Question 4

What characters explore the theme of difference?

Answer 4

• dolphus Raymond
• scout
• boo Radley
• tom Robinson
• Walter Cunningham
• Ewells

Question 5

What is Lee’s intentions of the theme ‘inside and outside’?

Answer 5

• to show maycomb is socially divided

Question 6

What characters represent the theme inside and outside?

Answer 6

• boo radley
• tom Robinson

Question 7

What key moments explore the theme inside and outside?

Answer 7

• children tourmenting boo
• lynching mob
• miss maudie fire

Question 8

What are Lee’s intentions of the theme childhood and adulthood?

Answer 8

• shows how easily children are influenced and how others are influenced
• gives an honest opinion of maycomb (as children are usually honest)

Question 9

What characters represent the theme ‘childhood and adulthood’?

Answer 9

• scout
• boo radley

Question 10

What are the key moments relating to childhood and adulthood?

Answer 10

• scout dressed up as a ham when gets attacked
• contrast between view of boo and tom from start and end

Question 11

What are Lee’s intentions with the theme ‘justice and injustice’?

Answer 11

• to condemn social injustices
• to highlight dangers of bias and importance of values such as empathy and kindness

Question 12

What characters represent ‘justice and injustice’?

Answer 12

• Atticus
• tom Robinson
• miss maudie
• boo radley
• calpernia
• dolphus Raymond
• scout
• jem
• Walter Cunningham

Question 13

What key moments represent justice and injustice?

Answer 13

• trail
• dolphus Raymond in park
• treatment of boo radley
• cutting up Mrs du Bose’s flowers
• Walter Cunningham couldn’t afford lunch money

Question 14

What are Lee’s intentions with the theme ‘education’?

Answer 14

• express importance of critical thinking and individuality
• criticises old ways of things and old ways of learning (should learn from life)
• allows Atticus to teach audience moral lessons

Question 15

What characters represent education?

Answer 15

• scout
• atticus
• Miss Caroline

Question 16

What are the keys moments in the theme ‘education’?

Answer 16

• scout gets told of for already being able to read
• calpernia teaching scout to not judge others
• ‘ its a sin to kill a mockingbird’ when get guns