To Kill a Mockingbird Annotation

PART 1

Chapter 1:

Summary

In chapter one, the narrator of the book, Scout Finch, first starts to tell about her brother Jem who had his arm broken at the age of 13. She then explained about her early ancestor, Simon Finch, who was a Methodist and who traveled his way from Atlantic to Philadelphia. Scout’s father, Atticus, was a lawyer and she, her dad and Jem lived in an old town called Maycomb. They had a cook named Calpurnia, an African American woman, who Scout always argued with. Scout’s mother died when she was two, so she didn’t know about her much. Scout, Jem, and Dill always played together. Dill was a boy one year older than Scout who always came to Maycomb during the Summer from Meridian. They always spent their summer together playing and trying to make Boo Radley, a mysterious man in their town who never went outside of his house, come out. The Radleys’ house was a mysterious place in Maycomb; they were so independent and kept everything to themselves, and Scout, Jem, and Dill always wanted to find out if Boo Radley was real, a monster, a criminal, etc. and why he wouldn’t come out of the Radley place. In the house lived Mr. Radley, his wife, and their son. Boo’s name was Arthur and the Radley also had an elder son, Mr. Nathan Radley, who Maycomb didn’t see much because he was in Maycomb much. Mr. Radley was an old man and he soon died and then Mr. Nathan Radley took over the house. Other characters Scout introduced in chapter one was Mr. Conner, a police man, and two other women of Macomb: Mrs. Stephanie and Miss Rachel.

Vocab

Spittoon ( pg. 4) n.– a bowl- shaped thing for spitting

Azaleas (pg. 9)n. – A group of flower shrubs

Morbid (pg. 9)adj.– to be mentally unhealthy/ fear of something/ to have a nasty attitude

Shutters (pg. 9)n. – a hinged cover or screen for windows

Pulpits (pg. 10)n. – a platform to stand on used in Churches

Asylum (pg. 11)n. – a place for protection and care for the mental ill or aged.

Allusions

Andrew Jackson (pg. 3) – 7th president of the U.S. during the Revolutionary War (1829-1837)

“Nothing to fear but fear itself” (pg. 6) – words spoken by Franklin D. Roosevelt

Comment on Characters

Scout Finch – a six year old girl who I think is attracted to hanging out with boys. She is talks tough.
Jem Finch – a nine year old boy who seems to not like it when a person, like Dill, humiliates him.
Dill or also known as Charles Baker Harris – a seven year old boy who likes to hang out with Jem and Scout and trying to make Boo Radley come out of his home.
Boo Radley also known as Arthur – a mysterious man who some people say comes out at night and scares you. He is very independent and seems scary to everyone in Maycomb.

Supporting images

SCOUT FINCH, DILL HARRIS, AND JEM FINCH

Chapter 2:

Summary

In chapter two, as summer went by and September began, Dill went back to Meridian and Scout and Jem started school. Scout was starting the first grade while Jem was starting the fifth. Scout was very excited about school but her excitement faded when her teacher Miss Caroline kept on lecturing her and sending Scout to the corner of the room. For example, when Miss Caroline saw that Scout could read and write, she told Scout to tell Atticus to stop teaching her so it wouldn’t interfere with her teachings. Another example was when Miss Caroline asked everyone if they had brought their lunches or will be going home, she ran into Walter who didn’t have any lunch or money. She tried to give Walter Cunningham a quarter for lunch but Scout told her that he was poor and didn’t accept anything they couldn’t pay back. Scout got in trouble and was whipped at the hands and sent to the corner. When the Cunninghams really needed something that they couldn’t afford, they’d find another way to pay back. For example, When Mr. Cunningham needed a lawyer, he went to Atticus; when Mr. Cunningham knew that he couldn’t pay Atticus, he gave him gifts of turnips and other things during the year. The chapter ended with Miss Caroline getting in trouble with the six grade teacher for being so noisy, and lunch starting.

Vocab

Condescended (pg. 15)v. – the act of having power, dominion, or superior over something

Illicitly (pg.17)adj. - illegal; unacceptable by law

Snarl (pg. 18)v. – the sound of threatening; growl

Sentimentality (pg. 19)n. – to be sentimental; expressing tender feelings

Metallic (pg. 19)adj. – containing or made of metal

Entailment (pg. 20)n. – punishment for involvement in or doing something; consequences

Sojourn (pg. 22)n. – to stay at a place for a short period of time; visiting

Allusions

Winston County (pg. 16) – Located in the North of Alabama

Comment on Plot Development

In chapter one, we saw that the plot of the chapter was introducing the characters and setting, and trying to get Boo Radley to go outside. In chapter two the plot changed and became Scout’s first day of school and Scout’s encounter with Miss Caroline. Scout’s view of School before changed and now that she has entered it, she dislikes school. I think Scout’s encounter with Mrs. Caroline and getting in trouble is why Scout has changed her mind about School.

Probing Questions

Why did Miss Caroline get mad at Scout for telling her about the Cunninghams?

Will things be harder for Scout as the school year goes by?

Chapter 3:

Summary

In chapter 3 Scout and Jem took Walter to their home for lunch. Walter was treated kindly by Jem, Atticus, and Calpurnia, but Scout didn’t tolerate him. Jem and Walter walked ahead to school while Scout headed back to school alone. At school, we encounter a member of the Ewells’ family who didn’t follow Maycomb’s laws and was a disgrace. Ewells’ children only go to school the first day because the law could only hold them down for only the first day of school. His name was Burris and he was a mean dirty boy who made Miss Caroline cried and headed home. When school was over, Jem and Scout faced to meet Atticus. They told them about their day and Calpurnia had forgotten her anger against Scout. Scout told Atticus that Miss Caroline told her to tell him not to teach her reading and writing. Scout no longer wanted to go to school. Atticus helps her realize that she has to and he made a promise to her that they would keep on reading but without telling Miss Caroline.

Vocab

Dispensation (pg. 23)n. – releasing from a law/ rule

Molasses (pg. 24)n. – sugar refining syrup

Erratic (pg. 24)adj. – not being predictable; the telling of the future

Kerosene (pg. 26)n. – flammable oil that is colorless

Monosyllabic (pg. 28)adj. – saying something very little and being unhelpful

Important Quotes

“ ‘There’s some folks who don’t eat like us,’ she whispered fiercely, ‘but you ain’t called on to contradict ‘em at the table when they don’t. That boy’s yo’ comp’ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear?’” This quote was taken out of the conversation between Calpurnia and Scout. The way Calpurnia had spoken these words to Scout seemed like she treats Scout like her own daughter by how she tries to teach her about things that are acceptable, and are not acceptable.

“‘Have you ever considered that Jem doesn’t worry her half as much?’” This quote said by Atticus really reflects that Scout’s personality and behavior by how it explains that she is kind of troublesome, and hard to handle.

Comment on Character Development

Scout – As according to chapter three, we learned that Scout likes to get in fights, she’s stubborn, and a little selfish and rude. Scout is a real Tomboy, and she likes to be right in situations involving her.
Jem – Is a 5^th grade her he isn’t like Scott. He’s different and respectful to other people, and he doesn’t like getting into fights, but out of them.