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Questions and Answers

Who is Atticus Finch?

Jem and Scout's father, a lawyer, and a widower.

What did Dill dare Jem to do, and why?

Dill dared Jem to touch the Radley house because he said that Jem was a scaredy cat.

What was Scout's first 'crime' at school? Do you think it was really a problem?

Her first 'crime' was knowing how to read and write.

What was Calpurnia's fault?

Calpurnia's fault was that she made Scout copy down the Bible, which led to Scout being able to read and write. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Scout rub Walter Cunningham's nose in the dirt?

She was angry at him for getting her in trouble with Miss Caroline Fisher. Signup and view all the answers

What did Scout mean when she said, 'He ain't company, Cal, he's just a Cunningham.'?

She meant that she didn't consider Walter as real company because the rest of Maycomb considered the Cunninghams trash. Signup and view all the answers

What two mistakes did Miss Caroline make on the first day of school?

She tried to give Walter Cunningham money, not knowing he couldn't pay it back, and she tried to tell Burris Ewell what to do. Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't the Ewells have to go to school?

The Ewells didn't have to go to school because no one could make them, and the truant lady figured she had done her job by making them go on the first day. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Jean Louise (Scout) Finch?

She is a little girl who comes of age, tells the story, and is sister to Jem and daughter to Atticus. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Jem Finch?

Scout's brother and one of her best friends; he enters young adulthood and faces difficult issues. Signup and view all the answers

What is Maycomb?

Maycomb is the racist town in Alabama where this book takes place. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Calpurnia?

Calpurnia is the Finch's housekeeper and acts as a more distant mother-figure to Jem and Scout. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Charles Baker Harris?

He is Jem and Scout's summer neighbor and friend, a confident boy with an active imagination who is fascinated with Boo. Signup and view all the answers

What is The Radley Place?

It's a dark and gloomy house with no screen door, located on a bend in the road. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Stephanie Crawford?

She is the town gossip. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Arthur Radley?

Arthur Radley is a recluse who lives near the Finches and is the subject of various rumors. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Miss Caroline Fisher?

She is Scout's first-grade teacher. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Walter Cunningham?

He is a classmate of Scout who cannot afford lunch and accidentally gets her in trouble. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Burris Ewell?

Burris Ewell is filthy, cusses out the teacher, and only goes to school on the first day every year. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Characters

Atticus Finch: Lawyer and widower, father to Jem and Scout; embodies moral integrity.
Jean Louise (Scout) Finch: Protagonist, young girl navigating childhood and social issues; sister to Jem.
Jem Finch: Scout's older brother, best friend, facing the transition to young adulthood.
Calpurnia: Finch family housekeeper; provides a maternal influence in the children's lives.
Charles Baker Harris (Dill): Scout and Jem's imaginative summer friend; curious about Boo Radley.
Walter Cunningham: Classmate from a poor family; struggles with school lunch payment.
Burris Ewell: Dirty and disruptive student; attends school only for the first day each year.
Miss Caroline Fisher: Scout’s first-grade teacher; inexperienced and struggles to understand her students.
Arthur Radley (Boo Radley): Mysterious recluse; the subject of local rumors and children's fascination.

Significant Events

Dill's Dare: Encourages Jem to touch the Radley house, challenging his bravery and friendship status.
Scout's "Crime": First day in school, she is punished for being able to read and write, causing friction with Miss Caroline.
Conflict with Walter Cunningham: Scout rubs his nose in the dirt out of anger after he unintentionally gets her in trouble.
Calpurnia and Scout's Misunderstanding: Calpurnia teaches Scout about respect and inclusion regardless of social status, rebuking Scout’s snobbery.
Miss Caroline's Mistakes: Offers Walter money for lunch, not understanding his financial situation; misjudges Burris Ewell’s behavior due to ignorance of local dynamics.

Setting and Context

Maycomb, Alabama: A racially divided town where the story unfolds; reflects social hierarchies and prejudices.
The Radley Place: Dark, foreboding house; symbolizes fear of the unknown and childhood superstitions.
Cunninghams and Ewells: Represent different aspects of poverty and social class in Maycomb; the Cunninghams are proud despite their struggles, while Ewells are notorious for their lack of responsibility.

Themes

Social Class and Prejudice: The Finch family's interactions demonstrate the complexity of social status and the prejudices within Maycomb.
Childhood Innocence: Scout and Jem’s experiences highlight the transition from innocence to a more complex understanding of human nature.
Empathy and Understanding: Central to Atticus’s parenting; he teaches Scout and Jem to see the world from others' perspectives.

Important Quotes

Calpurnia's Wisdom: "Anybody who comes to this house is company," emphasizing the importance of treating everyone with respect.
Scout's Perspective: Illustrates her naive understanding of social dynamics; her growth in understanding these issues is a key element of the narrative.