Lecture Notes: To Kill A Mockingbird - Chapters 1-3

Chapter 1

• Main Characters Introduced:
  • Scout Finch (Narrator)
  • Jem Finch (Scout's brother)
  • Atticus Finch (Their father, a lawyer)
  • Calpurnia (The Finch family cook)
• Setting:
  • Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression.
• Plot Points:
  • Scout recalls her brother Jem's arm injury and its healing.
  • Introduction to Maycomb and the Finch family history.
  • Dill, a new friend, introduces the Finch children to Boo Radley, a mysterious neighbor.

Chapter 2

• Scout’s First Day at School:
  • Her teacher, Miss Caroline Fisher, is new and doesn't understand Maycomb customs.
  • Scout is reprimanded for being able to read and write.
  • Miss Caroline doesn't understand the Cunningham family's financial struggles.

Chapter 3

• Walter Cunningham at the Finch House:
  • Jem invites Walter home for lunch.
  • Scout is taught a lesson in hospitality by Atticus and Calpurnia.
• School Dynamics:
  • Burris Ewell’s brief school visit exemplifies the Ewell family’s neglect and poverty.
  • Atticus teaches Scout about understanding people by considering their perspectives.

Chapters 4-6

Chapter 4

• End of School Year
  • Scout finds gifts in the Radley tree knot-hole.
  • Dill returns to Maycomb for the summer.

Chapter 5

• Summer Activities
  • Jem, Scout, and Dill continue their fascination with Boo Radley.
  • Miss Maudie, a neighbor, becomes more involved with the children.

Chapter 6

• Night Adventure
  • The children try to get a glimpse of Boo Radley at night.
  • Jem loses his pants on the Radley fence.

Chapters 7-8

Chapter 7

• Gifts in the Tree
  • Jem and Scout find more items in the knot-hole.
  • Nathan Radley fills the knot-hole with cement, claiming the tree is sick.

Chapter 8

• Winter Comes to Maycomb
  • A rare snowfall leads to the children building a snowman.
  • Miss Maudie's house catches fire, raising neighborhood tensions.

Chapters 9-11

Chapter 9

• Christmas at Finch’s Landing
  • Scout fights with a cousin over Atticus’s defense of a black man.
  • Atticus explains the importance of defending Tom Robinson.

Chapter 10

• Atticus’s Hidden Talent
  • Atticus shoots a rabid dog, surprising Jem and Scout with his marksmanship.

Chapter 11

• Mrs. Dubose’s Lesson in Courage
  • Jem destroys her camellias in anger.
  • Punishment involves reading to her, teaching Jem about real courage.

Chapters 12-14

Chapter 12

• Calpurnia’s Church
  • Scout and Jem attend Calpurnia’s church, experiencing racial differences.

Chapter 13

• Aunt Alexandra Arrives
  • She moves in to provide a feminine influence.

Chapter 14

• Dill’s Return
  • Dill runs away from home and is found at the Finch house.
• Tensions in Maycomb
  • Discussion of Atticus’s role in the trial.

Chapters 15-17

Chapter 15

• The Mob at the Jail
  • Atticus faces a mob intent on lynching Tom Robinson, defused by Scout’s innocence.

Chapter 16

• Trial Begins
  • Maycomb gathers for the trial of Tom Robinson.

Chapter 17

• Heck Tate’s Testimony
  • The sheriff testifies about Mayella Ewell’s injuries.

Chapters 18-21

Chapter 18

• Mayella Ewell Testifies
  • She accuses Tom Robinson of rape.

Chapter 19

• Tom Robinson Testifies
  • He recounts his version of events, differing significantly from Mayella’s story.

Chapter 20

• Dolphus Raymond’s Secret
  • Reveals he only pretends to drink to give people a reason for his lifestyle.

Chapter 21

• Verdict
  • Despite clear evidence of innocence, Tom is convicted.

Chapters 22-25

Chapter 22

• Community Reaction
  • The black community shows gratitude to Atticus.
  • Bob Ewell’s threats raise concerns.

Chapter 23

• Atticus’s Reflection
  • Discusses the trial’s outcome with Jem, teaching about the justice system’s flaws.

Chapter 24

• Tom’s Death
  • He is killed trying to escape prison.

Chapter 25

• Maycomb’s Indifference
  • The town’s fleeting interest in Tom’s death.

Chapters 26-31

Chapter 26

• School and Memories
  • Scout’s reflections on Boo Radley and changes in Maycomb.

Chapter 27

• Trouble Brewing
  • Bob Ewell harasses people involved in the trial.

Chapter 28

• The Attack
  • Bob Ewell attacks Jem and Scout; Boo Radley saves them.

Chapter 29

• Boo Revealed
  • Scout finally meets Boo Radley.

Chapter 30

• Heck Tate’s Judgment
  • Decides to protect Boo by claiming Ewell fell on his knife.

Chapter 31

• Final Reflections
  • Scout walks Boo home and realizes the lessons of her father.