To Kill A Mockingbird Study Questions Chapter 1

Narration and Family Background

• Scout, the narrator, uses first-person narration to tell the story.
• There is no recorded ancestry for Scout's family; Simon Finch was the first to arrive in America, along with his children Jack and a sister.

Setting and Economic Context

• The novel is set in the 1930s in Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression.
• Townspeople often lack money and barter goods for services due to poverty.

Family Dynamics

• Scout views her father as satisfactory and courteous.
• Their mother passed away from a heart attack, shaping Scout and Jem’s upbringing.

Calpurnia's Role

• Calpurnia is introduced as the family's cook, characterized as nearsighted and strict.
• Scout uses a simile to describe Calpurnia's hand: "as wide as a bed slat and twice as hard."

Introduction of Dill

• Jem and Scout meet Dill while playing in Miss Haverford's collard patch.

The Radley House

• The Radley house is described as menacing, with dark colors and rotted features, adding to the children's fears.
• Rumors suggest a phantom resides there, instilling fear and curiosity in the children.

Rumors and the Radley Family

• Locals spread unsettling rumors about Boo Radley, such as him lurking at night and causing plants to freeze.
• Some rumors highlight the absurdity of the children's fears, indicating disbelief in certain tales.

History of the Radley Family

• The Radleys are known for their reclusiveness and avoidance of social interactions, leading to a sad family history.

Town Perception of the Radleys

• Townsfolk view the Radley family, particularly Mr. Radley, as peculiar; Calpurnia labels him the "meanest man God ever blew breath into."

Jem's Imagination of Boo Radley

• Jem imagines Boo as a terrifying figure—six-and-a-half feet tall with a long scar, yellow teeth, drooling, and consuming raw animals, spurring fear.

Chapter Conclusion

• The chapter concludes dramatically with Jem touching the Radley house to coax Boo out, provoking a moment of suspense before the children hastily flee, sensing something ominous.

Test your knowledge of Chapter 1 from 'To Kill A Mockingbird' with these study questions. This quiz covers key aspects such as the narrator's perspective and family history. Perfect for enhancing your understanding of the text.