LITERARY ELEMENTS #9, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

Literary Elements #9   Ch 12-13  To Kill a Mockingbird   Name: _____

Metaphor - A comparison that does not use "like" or "as." Ex.  The road was a ribbon.
Simile - A comparison using "like" or "as." Ex. Her voice sounds like an angel’s.
Personification - Giving an animal, object, or idea human characteristics.   Ex.  My car stubbornly refused to start today.
Allusion - A reference in literature to a famous person, place, or event.
Hyperbole – An exaggeration or overstatement.  Example: I was so embarrassed I could have died.
Euphemism – Substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered harsh, blunt, or offensive.
Irony – When the opposite of what you would expect happens.
Colloquialism - regional or cultural saying
Foreshadowing – The author gives a hint of what is to come later in the story.
Symbol – An object stands for or represents an idea.
Pun – “Sounds like” joke; words with a double meaning.
Style – The author’s own unique way of writing.

1.  Jem seems to be changing.  He says to Scout on p. 115, “It’s time you started bein’ a girl and acting right!”  Considering his previous comments  about being a girl, what literary element is this? 

2.  On p. 116 Scout comments on Dill’s absence that summer:  “With him, life was routine; without him, life was unbearable.  I stayed miserable for two days.”   What is the tone of that statement?  It’s meant to be ….?

3.  On p. 116 find a metaphor that describes the governor’s purpose in calling Atticus to the capitol for an emergency legislative session.

4.  On p. 116, find a simile at the bottom of the page that describes Scout’s dress after Calpurnia had ironed it.

5.  On p. 118 there is a description of the First Purchase African M.E. churchyard cemetery:  Why would Scout say it is a happy cemetery?

6.  What are several things you notice about Calpurnia’s character, on p. 119? 
 

7.  Find a simile on p. 121 that refers to Zeebo’s voice as he read to the congregation. 

8.  What happens in this church service that reveals the commitment these people have to their members who are in need of help?  (Compare/contrast it with a traditional church service, if you can.) p.123-124

9.  What was it like for black mothers who had to work in the fields?  What was customary?  (p. 123) Contrast those conditions to what the white ladies were doing on p. 132.

10.  On p. 123, what further evidence is revealed about the oppression against Tom Robinson’s family?  Hint: It relates to why a collection was taken up for them at church. 

11.   On p. 124, find a metaphor that refers to the Ewell family.  What do you recall reading about the Ewells earlier in this book?

12.  Why would the author give you this information about the Ewell family?  What do think is her purpose?

13. On p. 125   Calpurnia talks about linin’ and the fact that most of the congregation cannot read.   Why were the black people in Maycomb mostly non-readers?  Why do you think the author would make this point?

14. What can you conclude about Aunt Alexandra’s character from this passage?
“Put my bag in the front bedroom, Calpurnia,” was the first thing Aunt Alexandra said  “Jean Louise, stop scratching your head,” was the second thing she said. 

15. Notice the sarcastic tone in this passage on p. 129: 
          When Aunt Alexandra went to school, self-doubt could not be found in any textbook, so she knew not its meaning.
Paraphrase  the  meaning of that passage. (Put it into your own words.)

16. On p. 131, find a metaphor.  It refers to what little difference it made when an outsider came and married someone in Maycomb. 

17. What literary element is this?  (p. 134)  His curtness stung me…

18.  Why do you think Aunt Alexandra is so concerned about the Finch family’s background and heritage in Maycomb?  Why do you think Atticus feels differently about it?

19. If the people in Maycomb are mostly all like Aunt Alexandra,  what can you predict about the outcome of Tom Robinson’s trial?  What would the jury base their decision upon?  Make a prediction.