Essay building blocks - To Kill A Mockingbird - Themes - Racism & Prejudice

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

ESSAY QUESTIONS AND

ESSAY PLANS

Forms of Prejudicein TKAM

Topic / Theme: Prejudice / Racism Student Suggested Essay questions:

Possible Plan / Structure• Children’s lack of awareness of racism• Adults prejudice towards the Ewell family• Adults racist views towards Tom• Audiences understanding of the court

scene

In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird what are the children’s, adult’s and audiences perspectives on racism?

In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, Maycomb is a town populated entirely by racists. Discuss.

Possible Plan / Structure• Scout and Jem’s racism• Atticus’ lack of racism• Calpurnia’s lack of racism• The towns racism• The racism of the courtroom

Evidence that could be used in a Prejudice / Racism essay:The Court sceneThe shooting of Tom RobinsonDolphus Raymond First Purchase ChurchThe towns treatment of the Ewell familyScouts learning about racism

Possible Plan / Structure• Racism - Tom• Sexism – Aunt Alexandra, Jem, Mayella • Classism – Ewell family, African-

Americans, Whites, Rich, Poor, Professional Class

Segregation in MaycombSexism in Scouts upbringingRacist language

Possible Quotes to use

(Bob Ewell says) “I seen that nigger yonder rutting on my Mayella” (Page 84)(Lula says) “You aint got no business bringin’ white children here – they got their own church, we got our’n” (Page 158)(Scout) “You aren’t really a nigger lover, are you?..” (Atticus) I certainly am, I do my best to love everybody” (Page 107-109, Chapter 11)

Topic / Theme: Prejudice / Racism

• “Nigger-lover is just one of those terms that don’t mean anything, like snot-nose. It’s hard to explain ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody is favouring negroes over and above themselves” (Page 120)

• “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life” (Page 243)

• (Cecil Jacobs said) “You gotta make me first! My folks said your daddy is a disgrace an’ that nigger oughta hang from the water tank” (Page 85)

• (Scout says) “Naw, Jem, I think there’s just one kid one folks . Folks.” (Page 250)