To kill a mockingbird plot

TKAM Plot

1. To Kill a Mockingbird Parts of a Plot

2. Central Themes Growing Up (i.e fear, hope, adventures, parent influence) Social Class Inequality Racism and Prejudice Empathy

3. Central Themes

4. Conflict Tom Robinson, an African American man, is accused of raping Mayella Ewell, the daughter of Bob Ewell in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. Atticus Finch, the father of central characters Jem and Scout, is chosen to represent Robinson despite the scorn he receives from the general townspeople.

5. Exposition Setting: The events unfold in a small town called Maycomb, Alabama. It is the Jim Crow Era of the 1930’s. During that time period, racism was still rampant and ingrained into daily life. What’s it about: Adventures and mischief ensues throughout the novel as young White brother and sister Gem & Scout learn about growing up and dealing with the societal issues that plague their town. Main Characters: Atticus, his two children Jem and Scout, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley.

6. Rising Action • Scout and Jem meet their friend Dill and tell him about the story of Boo Radley, their neighbor who never leaves their house. They tell him of a rumor going around town that Boo is forced to stay inside his house because he allegedly stabbed his father with a pair of scissors when he was a young boy. • The children become obsessed with the stories of Boo Radley, and go to great lengths to learn more about him. • After school starts in the fall, Scout and Jem walk home from school to find gifts placed in an old oak tree in front of the Radley’s house. The children decide to keep these items that they believe are gifts from Boo Radley himself. By the end of the school year, they find bubble gum, Indian head coins, and even soap carvings of themselves.

7. Rising Action (cont.) • Atticus is presented with the task of being involved with a high-profile trial in the town. He is asked to defend Tom Robinson, an African-American man that is being accused of rape. • During the following summer when Dill comes back to Maycomb, the three children get involved with more mischief surrounding the Radley home. They decide to sneak onto the Radley property to try and see Boo in-person. Mr. Nathan Radley hears the children, and shoots a gun to scare them off. Jem's pants get caught in the fence while they were running away, and he has to leave them behind. When Jem goes back to retrieve them, he finds the pants folded and stitched back up where they were ripped.

8. Rising Action (cont.) • The trial began next summer, and Atticus does all in his power to prove his innocence. The racist jury believes Bob Ewell over Tom Robinson, even though all signs point to his innocence. Tom Robinson is found guilty. • Bob Ewell is upset at everyone who aided Tom Robinson in his trial, and swears revenge on Atticus for defending him. • When Tom Robinson is being transferred to prison, he attempts to escape and is shot 17 times by the guards. He dies from the injuries sustains.

9. Climax Scout and Jem are walking home from the Halloween pageant and Bob Ewell attacks them. Then Boo Radley comes out of his house to save the children from their attacker.

10. Falling Action • Bob Ewell is killed by Boo Radley. • Jem breaks his arm while trying to deflect Bob Ewell. • Sheriff Heck Tate comes over and tells Atticus that they will say Bob Ewell fell on his own knife to protect Boo Radley from prosecution. • Scout finally meets Boo Radley and gets to talk to him.

11. Resolution Jem and Scout are attacked by Bob Ewell, and are saved by Boo Radley. Scout comes to the realization that Boo is a good person. Her perspective shifts and her maturity and empathy grow as a result.

12. Summing It All Up