There is a lot happening in Chapter 4 of To Kill a Mockingbird
Northern mockingbird
The northern mockingbird is the only mockingbird commonly found in North America. This bird is mainly a permanent resident, but northern birds may move south during harsh weather. This species has rarely been observed in Europe. This species was first described by Linnaeus in his Sy…
What happens in Chapter 4 of to kill a Mockingbird?
To Kill a Mockingbird Summary: Chapter 4 The rest of the school year passes grimly for Scout, who endures a curriculum that moves too slowly and leaves her constantly frustrated in class. After school one day, she passes the Radley Place and sees some tinfoil sticking out of a knothole in one of the Radleys’ oak trees.
What is the main theme of to kill a Mockingbird?
Racial prejudice is the most overt theme in To Kill a Mockingbird, as the book focuses on the trial of a black man (Tom Robinson) accused of a crime he did not commit in a community where racism is the norm. It explores racism within the legal system as well as the Deep South community in which the story is set.
What does to kill a Mockingbird say about good and evil?
Good and Evil. To Kill a Mockingbird is an exploration of human morality, and presents a constant conversation regarding the inherent goodness or evilness of people. Atticus, father of Scout and Jem, also plays the role of teacher, for his children and his town. Atticus believes that people usually contain aspects of both good and evil,...
Who is the narrator in Chapter 1 of to kill a Mockingbird?
Chapter 1 introduces the reader to the book’s narrator, Jean Louise Finch, who is more commonly known as Scout. Scout begins her story by recounting how her older brother, Jem, broke his arm.
What is the main idea of Chapter 4 in To Kill a Mockingbird?
In chapter four of To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout tells us that Atticus, like these three influential Americans, did not develop his intellect by attending school. Rather, he read voraciously and taught himself. Atticus educated himself by reading.
What are 5 themes in To Kill a Mockingbird?
To Kill a Mockingbird ThemesGood, Evil, and Human Dignity. ... Prejudice. ... Growing Up. ... Courage. ... Small Town Southern Life.
What are 3 themes in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Three main themes include:prejudice.family life.courage.
What is the major theme of To Kill a Mockingbird?
The Coexistence of Good and Evil The most important theme of To Kill a Mockingbird is the book's exploration of the moral nature of human beings—that is, whether people are essentially good or essentially evil.
What are 4 common themes?
6 Common Themes in LiteratureGood vs. evil.Love.Redemption.Courage and perseverance.Coming of age.Revenge.
Is Boo Radley black?
Boo Radley is a white individual who never left his house because of the ways society viewed him. Tom Robinson was a black man who got framed of a crime that he did not do.
What are the 4 types of conflict in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Terms in this set (4)Man vs. Society. Atticus vs. Racism in the town of Maycomb A prime example of man vs society is when Atticus agrees to defend Tom Robinson. ... Good vs. Evil / Right vs. Wrong. The good and truth of proving Tom's innocence vs. ... Man vs. Man. -Boo Radley and his father. ... ... Man vs. Himself. Atticus vs.
What is a theme of a story?
A story theme is a broad conceptual philosophy that an author wishes to convey through their literary work. To extract a story's theme, a reader must go beneath the surface of the action that's described on the page.
Is To Kill a Mockingbird a true story?
It's based on a true story The tale of To Kill A Mockingbird is based on Harper Lee's memories of her family, her neighbours and an event that occurred near her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama when she was just 10. Atticus and Jem are both inspired by her father and older brother.
What is the main theme of the chapter?
Answer: The theme in a story is its underlying message, or 'big idea. ' In other words, what critical belief about life is the author trying to convey in the writing of a novel, play, short story or poem? This belief, or idea, transcends cultural barriers.
What are the 4 lessons in To Kill a Mockingbird?
The story of To Kill a Mockingbird revolves around racial discrimination faced by black people around the world....These lessons are:Put Yourself in Other People's Shoes. ... Don't Kill Mockingbirds. ... Keep Fighting Even if You Know You Will Lose. ... The World Is Very Unfair.
What are the 12 common themes?
Power.Family.Identity.Loneliness.Friendship.Free will vs. Fate.Hope.Love.More items...•
What are major themes?
A major theme is an idea that a writer repeats in his work, making it the most significant idea in a literary work. A minor theme, on the other hand, refers to an idea that appears in a work briefly and that may or may not give way to another minor theme.
Why did Scout quit One Man's Family?
After this, the children act out a play, One Man’s Family, based on the rumors about the Radleys (in particular, Boo’s attack on Mr. Radley). Whenever Nathan Radley walks by, they pause in the middle of a scene so he won’t know what they’re doing. Atticus figures it out, though, and this is Scout’s second reason for wanting to quit the game—the first, she says, is the fact that when she rolled onto the Radley property, she heard someone inside the house laughing. She assumes this is Boo.
What happens when Scout rolls in a spare tire?
Tired of talking and playacting, they decide to roll around in a spare tire, which leads to Scout accidentally rolling too fast onto the Radley property. When Scout recovers she runs out of the yard, leaving the tire for Jem to retrieve.
What does Scout find in the Dewey Decimal System?
Unsurprisingly, Scout finds the Dewey Decimal System boring and finds school to be a waste of time. One day, while running past the Radley house on her way home, she spots a bit of tinfoil in the knothole of an oak tree on the Radley lot. Inside, Scout finds two pieces of chewing gum. It’s unclear at first who leaves her this gift. Jem doesn’t believe she found it and makes her spit it out when he gets home from school, but later, when they find more tinfoil with a pair of Indian head pennies, he becomes curious. He knows there aren’t many people who go by there (Cecil Jacobs walks a mile out of his way to avoid the Radley house), which makes it especially strange.
What are Dill's first words in the book?
Characteristically, Dill’s first words in this chapter are lies, which he insists on telling despite the fact that nobody believes them. Dill’s lies are, however, innocuous, and cover up his insecurities, so that one can hardly fault him for having a little fun.
What does Boo mean in To Kill a Mockingbird?
He is one of many victims populating a book whose title, To Kill a Mockingbird, suggests the destruction of an innocent being. In fact, as a sweet, young child apparently driven mad by an overbearing father obsessed with sin and retribution, Boo epitomizes the loss of innocence that the book, as a whole, dramatizes.
What does Dill say when Atticus asks Jem where his pants are?
When Atticus asks Jem where his pants are, Dill interjects that he won Jem’s pants in a game of strip poker. Alarmed, Atticus asks them if they were playing cards. Jem responds that they were just playing with matches. Late that night, Jem sneaks out to the Radley Place, and retrieves his pants.
What do Jem and Scout do in the game?
One of the first things they do is roll one another inside an old tire. On Scout’s turn, she rolls in front of the Radley steps, and Jem and Scout pa nic. However, this incident gives Jem the idea for their next game: they will play “ Boo Radley .”.
How do Jem and Dill escape?
Suddenly, they see the shadow of a man with a hat on and flee, hearing a shotgun go off behind them. They escape under the fence by the schoolyard, but Jem’s pants get caught on the fence, and he has to kick them off in order to free himself.
What does Scout find in the knothole?
Scout reaches into the knothole and discovers two pieces of chewing gum. She chews both pieces and tells Jem about it. He panics and makes her spit it out.
What is the theme of To Kill a Mockingbird?
The most important theme of To Kill a Mockingbird is the book’s exploration of the moral nature of human beings—that is, whether people are essentially good or essentially evil. The novel approaches this question by dramatizing Scout and Jem’s transition from a perspective of childhood innocence, in which they assume that people are good because they have never seen evil, to a more adult perspective, in which they have confronted evil and must incorporate it into their understanding of the world. As a result of this portrayal of the transition from innocence to experience, one of the book’s important subthemes involves the threat that hatred, prejudice, and ignorance pose to the innocent: people such as Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are not prepared for the evil that they encounter, and, as a result, they are destroyed. Even Jem is victimized to an extent by his discovery of the evil of racism during and after the trial. Whereas Scout is able to maintain her basic faith in human nature despite Tom’s conviction, Jem’s faith in justice and in humanity is badly damaged, and he retreats into a state of disillusionment.
What is the conclusion of To Kill a Mockingbird?
As is true of To Kill a Mockingbird ’s other moral themes, the novel’s conclusion about education is that the most important lessons are those of sympathy and understanding, and that a sympathetic, understanding approach is the best way to teach these lessons. In this way, Atticus’s ability to put himself in his children’s shoes makes him an ...
How are differences in social status explored in Maycomb?
Differences in social status are explored largely through the overcomplicated social hierarchy of Maycomb, the ins and outs of which constantly baffle the children. The relatively well-off Finches stand near the top of Maycomb’s social hierarchy, with most of the townspeople beneath them. Country farmers like the Cunninghams lie below the townspeople, and the Ewells rest below the Cunninghams. But the black community in Maycomb, despite its abundance of admirable qualities, squats below even the Ewells, enabling Bob Ewell to make up for his own lack of importance by persecuting Tom Robinson. These rigid social divisions that make up so much of the adult world are revealed in the book to be both irrational and destructive. For example, Scout cannot understand why Aunt Alexandra refuses to let her consort with young Walter Cunningham. Lee uses the children’s perplexity at the unpleasant layering of Maycomb society to critique the role of class status and, ultimately, prejudice in human interaction.
Why does Lee use the children's perplexity at the unpleasant layering of Maycomb society?
Lee uses the children’s perplexity at the unpleasant layering of Maycomb society to critique the role of class status and, ultimately, prejudice in human interaction.
Why does Atticus risk his reputation?
Atticus risks his reputation, his position in the community, and ultimately the safety of his children because he is not racist, and therefore good. Bob Ewell falsely accuses a black man of rape, spits on Atticus publicly, and attempts to murder a child because he is racist, and therefore bad. To Kill a Mockingbird does attempt to look at some ...
What is the second lie in the book of Maycomb?
The second lie prevents the destruction of an innocent man who occupies a precarious social position in Maycomb because of his extreme reclusiveness.
What does Atticus mean by "good and bad"?
Atticus understands that, rather than being simply creatures of good or creatures of evil, most people have both good and bad qualities. The important thing is to appreciate the good qualities and understand the bad qualities by treating others with sympathy and trying to see life from their perspective.
What is the theme of To Kill a Mockingbird?
Courage and Bravery Theme. To Kill a Mockingbird emphasizes that standing up for what is right requires both courage and bravery . We see these traits in many characters of the book, while others exhibit cowardice. Atticus and the children exhibit courage and bravery in their insistence on speaking out for justice rather than going along with ...
What is the theme of Atticus Finch's book?
Throughout the book, though, he sees for himself that evil does often win out, especially when it grows out of ignorance, racism, fear, and hatred for people who are different or ideas that challenge the status quo.
Why is To Kill a Mockingbird so popular?
To Kill a Mockingbird is a powerful story that conveys many meaningful and important themes. That's why this book and its powerful story remain so popular today, many decades beyond its 1960 publication date. Discover some of the major themes in To Kill a Mockingbird to make sure you understand the message that author Harper Lee wanted readers to take away from the book.
What is the theme of Scout's book?
The book conveys the theme that true knowledge doesn't always come from formal classroom education. As a matter of fact, the teachers who work at Scout's school seem to be more focused on perpetuating ignorance and bigotry than teaching the children factual information and critical thinking skills.
Where does To Kill a Mockingbird take place?
Also think about the book's setting, both in terms of where it took place (a small town in southern Alabama) and when (prior to the Civil Rights movement). This can help you better understand the themes and lessons in this important work of literature, ...
What does Atticus learn from the book of Atticus?
Atticus learns that, in order to do what is right and just, one can't always rely on the law or the legal system. After all, laws are made by people.
What does the mockingbird represent?
The mockingbird comes to represent true goodness and purity. Tom Robinson is one example of a human "mockingbird". He stands accused of raping and beating Mayella Ewell, but is innocent of the charges. The town commits the ultimate sin by finding him guilty and sentencing him to death.
What does Atticus say about the mockingbird?
Atticus explains that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird.
What does Scout learn from Atticus?
Scout comes to Atticus with concerns about her education and he helps her understand that she must get an education, even though she might find the process frustrating, and that he will continue to read with her and teach her at home. Clearly, Atticus understands the faults of the educational system, but also knows it is necessary for his children to pass through this system to be a part of society. However, his teaching at home, both morally and otherwise, is far more valuable to his children than anything they learn in the classroom. Scout notices this most obviously when learning about the Holocaust. Her teacher explains that such oppression of one group of people could never happen in the United States and Scout is astonished. She heard Miss Gates outside the court house during Tom Robinson's trial saying that, referring to black people, she thought it was, "time somebody taught them a lesson, they thought they was getting' way above themselves, an' the next thing they think they can do is marry us." Scout sees Miss Gates's statement about blacks in clear conflict with her statement about the equality in America.
Why is Scout ahead of her classmates?
Scout is ahead of her classmates because Atticus has taught her to read and write, and Calpurnia has even taught her script. However, once her teacher discovers this, she punishes Scout and tells her not to learn anything else at home, because her father does not know how to teach her properly.
How do Scout and Jem change?
Throughout the book, Scout and Je m make the classic transition from innocence to maturity. Jem leads this change, as he is older than Scout, but both children experience it. At the beginning of the novel, they approach life innocently believing in the goodness of all people, thinking everyone understands and adheres to the same values they and their father do. During Tom Robinson's trial, the children are sorely disappointed when the jury, made up of their fellow townspeople, convicts the obviously innocent Tom Robinson simply because he is a black man and his accuser is white. The realization that there is true evil within their society shakes Jem to the core. He held a strong belief in the goodness of all people, but after the trial must reevaluate his understanding of human nature. The challenge of this struggle causes him great emotional pain as he tries to come to terms with disappointing realities of inequality, racism, and general unfairness. Scout also struggles to understand these things, but even following the trial is able to maintain her belief in the goodness of human nature. At the end of the novel, both children are faced with true evil, as Bob Ewell tries to kill them. True goodness, embodied in Boo Radley, saves them. In this final conflict between these opposing forces, goodness prevails.
What does Scout believe in at the end of the book?
Scout also struggles to understand these things, but even following the trial is able to maintain her belief in the goodness of human nature. At the end of the novel, both children are faced with true evil, as Bob Ewell tries to kill them. True goodness, embodied in Boo Radley, saves them.
Why does Atticus struggle?
Despite the challenge of overcoming the town's deeply ingrained racism and forcing people to change their social perspectives, Atticus struggles on, because he believes that one day, goodness will prevail over the evils of racism and racial equality will exist.
What chapter does Scout's brother break his arm?
To Kill a Mockingbird: Chapter 1. LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in To Kill a Mockingbird, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Scout explains that when her brother, Jem, was 13, he broke his arm. Many years later, they argue about when everything that led to the accident truly began.
What is Scout's description of the town as old and tired?
Scout's description of the town as old and tired further establishes the setting in which the story takes place—the Great Depression. Scout's language to describe the town also accomplishes something else, as well. A child is unlikely to either perceive or describe her hometown as being "tired.".
How does Dill dare Jem to touch the house?
Dill decides he’d like to get a look, so he dares Jem to touch the house by goading and insulting him. Jem takes his time but races to the house, slaps the siding, and then races back to the safety of his own porch with Dill and Scout behind him. The children notice a small movement in the window.
What happened to Scout's brother?
Scout explains that when her brother, Jem, was 13, he broke his arm. Many years later, they argue about when everything that led to the accident truly began. Jem maintains that it began the year Dill arrived, while Scout insists that they take a broader view.
What does Jem's anxiety about touching Radley Place mean?
Jem’s very real anxiety about touching Radley Place makes the case that as people ostracize others for being different and as rumors circulate, this inevitably turns into not an understanding of difference, but a genuine fear of people who are different.
Why does Scout find Calpurnia tyrannical?
Scout likely finds Calpurnia tyrannical and one-dimensional because she’s so young and can’t yet understand Calpurnia as a complex individual. Dill and his imagination begin to situate these kinds of fantasy games as a hallmark of childhood in Mockingbird, while the fact that their games are based off of books indicates that all three children are literate. While this might not seem important to the children themselves, it does point to their financial situation and Atticus’s professional job, as they have enough money to live in a home that encourages education.
