MRS. WITHERS/ MRS. GOODRICH ENGLISH 9 Novel Terms and Characters To Kill a Mockingbird
Dec 18, 2015
Novel Terms
Fiction Not based in fact Example: To Kill a Mockingbird
Regionalism Literature that focuses on the characters, dialect,
customs, topography, and other features particular to a specific region.
Example: TKAM is an example of regionalism because it demonstrates the habits and patterns of the South
Novel Terms
Coming of Age This type of literature deals with children turning
into adults after experiencing an important life event Example: TKAM is an example of a coming of age
story
Satire When writers poke fun at serious institutions like
education or religion Example: Lee pokes fun at the educational system
with the use of Miss Caroline
Novel Terms
Protagonist The main character
of the story. Often known as the “hero” or “good guy”
Example: Atticus Finch
Antagonist The character who
goes against the main character. Often known as the “bad guy”
Example: Bob Ewell
Novel Terms
Setting The historical
moment in time and geographical location where a story takes place. Where and when a story takes place.
Example: The setting of TKAM is Alabama during The Great Depression
Plot The events that
make up the story. Example: There are
two plot lines in TKAM
Novel Terms
1st Person Point of View ( POV) The narrator is in
the story Hint: Look for words such as “I” or “me”)
Example: Scout is the narrator of TKAM. We know this because she tells us the story from her POV
3rd Person Point of View The narrator is NOT
in the story (Hint: Look for words such as “he” or “she”)
Novel Terms
Dynamic Character Someone who
undergoes an important, internal change because of the action in the plot.
Example: Jem is a dynamic character because we see his motivations change and grow
Static Character Someone who does
not undergo any change during the story
Example: Atticus is a static character because he does not change (always represents morality)
Novel Terms
Round Character This character’s
actions may be a surprise because it is unexpected (they have undergone development)
Example: Mrs. Dubose’s actions surprise us (she does things out of character)
Flat Character Uncomplicated
characters whose actions do not surprise us
Example: Bob Ewell is an evil man and always does evil things
Novel Terms
Internal Conflict A conflict of the
conscience/mind Example: Scout
struggles with the idea of racism and justice throughout the novel
External Conflict A struggle between
a character and an outside force
Example: Scout has a problem with Francis Hancock saying negative things about Atticus’s character
Novel Terms
Simile A comparison of things using “like” or “as” Example: The ladies were like soft tea
cakes with frostings of sweat and sweet talcum
Metaphor A comparison of two things. Example: “This school is like a jail!”
Novel Terms
Symbol An object that represents a larger idea or
concept Example: The mockingbird is a symbol of
innocence.
Hyperbole An exaggeration used for effect or humor Example: I have a million hours of
homework!
Novel Terms
Personification Attributing human characteristics to a nonhuman
object Example: The Radley house was droopy and sick
Theme The message an author wishes his to convey to his
audience Example: Lee stresses that everybody deserves
compassion, regardless of color, money, or place in society
Novel Terms
Tone The author’s
attitude towards a subject (what they say and how they say it)
Example: Lee uses a bitter tone when she speaks about racism
Mood The feeling a
reader gets when reading.
Example: Mood can change depending on the author’s tone
Novel Terms
Juxtaposition Placing two things side by side to
highlight the differences Example: The Ewells and Cunninghams
are introduced in the same chapter in order to highlight their differences
Characters
Jean Louise “Scout” Finch The narrator of the
story She ages from 6 to 9
during the story.
Jeremy “Jem” Finch Scout’s older brother. He ages from 10 to 13
during the story
Characters
Atticus Finch Jem and Scout’s
widowed father Maycomb County
lawyer
Arthur “Boo” Radley The neighborhood
recluse
Characters
Calpurnia The Finch family
housekeeper
Maudie Atkinson Lives across the street
from Jem and Scout. She loves to garden
and often speaks with the children
Characters
Charles Baker “Dill” Harris Scout and Jem’s
neighborhood friend that comes to visit every summer
Characters
Bob Ewell The Ewell family
patriarch Allegedly spends his
welfare checks on alcohol
Mayella Ewell Tom Robinson’s 19
year-old accuser
Characters
Aunt Alexandra Atticus’s older sister
Mrs. Dubose A cantankerous old
woman who teaches Jem and Scout a lesson about bravery