To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 1-8 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Describe Maycomb, Alabama.

Tired old town, very hot, mules, carts, in the town square.

Describe Calpurnia.

African American cook for Scout's family, is like the 2nd mother, very strict.

What is Dill's claim to fame?

He has seen 70 picture shows.

Why did Mrs. Radley run into the street screaming that Arthur was killing them off?

He stabbed Mr. Radley with scissors. Signup and view all the answers

Where was Arthur locked up?

Courthouse basement. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Scout in trouble with the teacher on her first day?

She can already read and she embarrasses the teacher. Signup and view all the answers

How does Scout get in trouble at dinner?

Making fun of Walter putting lots of syrup in his food and saying that if she sat in that she can drown. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Miss Caroline send Burris home?

He has lice in his hair. Signup and view all the answers

How does Burris respond to being sent home?

He says that no 'snot-nosed slut of a teacher is gonna tell me what to do...' and he said he isn't ever coming back. Signup and view all the answers

Why doesn't Scout want to go to school?

Miss Caroline says that she can't read at school. Signup and view all the answers

What does Atticus suggest in the way to get along with people?

Understand them, compliment them, see in their point of view, and change for them. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Ewells.

They are very poor. The father is a drunk, he always goes to get food out of season, hope lies in relief checks which he uses for alcohol, and he doesn't obey the laws. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Scout receive the majority of her education?

Her home. Signup and view all the answers

What does Scout find in the tree of the Radley house?

Two pieces of chewing gum. And she thinks maybe they are poisoned. Signup and view all the answers

What do Jem and Scout find in the hiding place?

A velvet box with two pennies, a pocket watch, and dolls. Signup and view all the answers

What is a hot steam?

Southern superstition involving ghostly spirits. Signup and view all the answers

How does Scout end up at the front steps of the Radleys' home?

By playing around with a tire. Signup and view all the answers

What does Scout think she hears as she crawls out of the tire?

Laughing. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Miss Maudie.

Loves everything except for nut grass. Signup and view all the answers

What does Miss Maudie mean when she says 'sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than whiskey bottle in the hand of - oh, of your father'?

He is very strict takes all the happiness away from Boo Radley. Signup and view all the answers

Why do Dill and Jem go for a walk at night?

They are going to the Mr. Radley home. Signup and view all the answers

What does Jem say that makes Scout decide to join them?

She said that she is seeing that she is acting more like a girl every day. Signup and view all the answers

Whose shadow do Dill and Jem see when Jem is on the porch of the house?

Nathan Radley (fires a gun). Signup and view all the answers

What does Dill say happened to Jem's pants? What really happened to them?

That he was playing strip poker. He really just lost his pants on the fence. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Jem feel he has to go back for his pants?

Doesn't want Atticus to find out and be disappointed in him and not trust him anymore. Signup and view all the answers

What happened when Jem goes back for his pants?

He found his pants neatly folded and sewn. Signup and view all the answers

What does Atticus mean when he tells Scout 'to delete the adjectives and have the facts?'

Stop with all the words like but we did mean to do it but it just happened and go straight to the fact of what you did. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Nathan Radley put cement in the knot-hole?

He wants the friendship between Boo and the kids to stop. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Scout scream and tell Atticus the world is ending?

It's snowing and she has never seen snow before. Signup and view all the answers

What do Jem and Scout use to make a snowman? Who does the snowman look like?

They use dirt. Mr. Avery. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Atticus think Jem and Scout disobeyed him when he told them to stay in front of the house?

They had a blanket on them and he thought that they went inside to get one but really someone put it on them. Signup and view all the answers

What is Miss Maudie's reaction to her destroyed home?

She doesn't really care, because she has always wanted a smaller home and a bigger garden. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Maycomb and Its Inhabitants

Maycomb, Alabama, is portrayed as a tired, old town characterized by heat, mules, and carts congregating in the town square.
Calpurnia serves as the African American cook for the Finch family and is depicted as a strict figure in Scout's life, akin to a second mother.
The Ewells are depicted as a very poor family, with the father being a drunkard who neglects laws and responsibilities in favor of alcohol.

Character Insights

Dill claims to be famous for having seen 70 picture shows, showcasing his adventurous spirit.
Scout encounters trouble at school for already being able to read, which embarrasses her teacher, Miss Caroline.
Burris Ewell responds defiantly to being sent home due to lice, illustrating the Ewell family's rebellious nature.

Events and Discoveries

Scout discovers two pieces of chewing gum in the Radley tree, leading her to speculate about poison.
Jem and Scout find a velvet box containing pennies, a pocket watch, and dolls in the Radley hiding place, suggesting Boo Radley's secretive gifting.
During a game involving a tire, Scout ends up at the Radleys' front steps, feeling out of place yet intrigued.

Themes and Morals

Atticus emphasizes the importance of understanding others and seeing things from their perspectives as a way to build connections.
Miss Maudie critiques the use of religion in a restrictive manner, suggesting that it can destroy happiness similar to alcohol.
Atticus advises Scout to eliminate adjectives and focus on the facts, fostering the importance of honesty and clarity in communication.

Mysterious Occurrences and Relationships

Nathan Radley cements the knot-hole in the tree to prevent Boo's friendship with the children, illustrating the theme of isolation.
After snow falls for the first time, Scout perceives it as an apocalyptic event, signifying her naïveté and wonder.
Jem feels compelled to retrieve his pants after losing a game of strip poker, showing the children's moral lessons about honesty and trust.

Notable Incidents

When Scout and Jem build a snowman resembling Mr. Avery, it reflects childhood innocence and creativity.
Miss Maudie retains a positive outlook after losing her home, expressing a desire for a smaller house and a larger garden as she embraces change.
Jem's discovery of his neatly folded and mended pants signifies the influence of Boo Radley, who begins to emerge as a protective figure.

Significant Quotes

"Sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whiskey bottle in the hand of your father," speaking to the dangers of dogma.
Atticus implores Scout and Jem to change their perspectives to foster better relationships, a fundamental lesson in empathy and understanding.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the first eight chapters of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' with these flashcards. Each card explores key characters and settings that shape the story's early narrative. Perfect for anyone looking to review essential details before diving deeper into the book.