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Who is studying To Kill A Mockingbird?

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Yeah, studying it this year.

Another important theme is the use of Mockingbird characters (Atticus Finch, Arthur Radley, Tom Robinson, and to a lesson extent Mayella Ewell). Not massively likely to be a question itself, but noting that Mayella is a mockingbird could be useful if the question is on education or hatred. Don't underestimate the importance of Calpurnia either - she's vital in the children's education and understanding of tolerance.

Make sure you know a few full quotes that are important for each character, and from the rest of them you should be okay paraphrasing. Link everything back to the situation in America when Harper Lee was writing and her purpose for the A/A*.

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If you're studying it under AQA then you should be able to take the book in. A few people in my class are folding pages at the top for key quotes, and at the bottom for key events.

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(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 21

Ears

Original post by Darren-M

I like the point about referring it back to Lee at that time. I don't really do it enough; but I will now.
I really hope there is a question about how the Characters could be seen as Mockingbirds though :smile:

Are you sure we can take in books? I'm doing AQA and my teacher seems to think you have a fresh copy when you enter :frown:

Reply 22

Darren-M

Original post by Ears

Are you sure we can take in books? I'm doing AQA and my teacher seems to think you have a fresh copy when you enter :frown:

I'm positive that you can take your own books in. Be warned though, if they discover any writing in it (other than your name in the cover), you'll be disqualified.

Reply 23

Ears

Original post by Darren-M

I'm positive that you can take your own books in. Be warned though, if they discover any writing in it (other than your name in the cover), you'll be disqualified.

Yeah, I wouldn't risk cheating.
But does it not have to be a particular version of the book. Because I have quite an old book but I think they are using the newest ones.

Reply 24

Darren-M

Original post by Ears

Yeah, I wouldn't risk cheating.
But does it not have to be a particular version of the book. Because I have quite an old book but I think they are using the newest ones.

I have the newest copy, and the school uses a fairly old copy (with a picture of hands going through bars). I don't think it makes a difference really - it's down to personal preference, though I did find it easier when we were doing quotes in the class that I had the same copy as everyone else.

If you have the bars copy, I might be able to find some reference material that has specific page numbers on it buried in my file somewhere.

Reply 25

Ears

Original post by Darren-M

Yes, it is the one with the bars actually, I'd appreciate it if you did find it. Don't worry if it's too much hassle!

Thanks :smile:

Reply 26

Darren-M

Found them. I'll edit this post when I've scanned them in.

EDIT: Done. Some of them might be copies of what you have, but they're fairly useful if you can memorize the chapter order (so if an important quote is 2 chapters forwards from the trial, or such).

You shouldn't *really* need to be looking for quotes in the exam unless you (we) get asked a really obscure question, but it can't hurt.

http://goo.gl/EwqJu - Atticus
http://goo.gl/EM9jF - Story summary
http://goo.gl/P5R0G - Jem (upside down, sorry!)
http://goo.gl/ZuMHb - chapter timeline
http://goo.gl/QRMMH - chapter summary

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 27

Ears

Original post by Darren-M

Ah, brilliant. The Atticus one should be helpful.
Thanks a lot, Darren :smile:

Reply 28

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Original post by Darren-M

thanks!

Reply 29

MadisonLee

I love the book. It drew me in the first time I read it because it’s so simply and beautifully written, but surprisingly I enjoyed it even more once I started studying it for the exam. When you understand the themes, the characters and what they represent, the historical background, the symbolism and the references to other works, you really begin to see why this is such an important book. For example, I completely missed the depth of what is now one of my favorite To Kill a Mockingbird quotes the first time I read it: "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view […] until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."

I never needed to take notes because I used an online study guide called Shmoop to study and understand all aspects of the books I've mentioned above. It has real clear analyses and explanations and also provides questions, quizzes and essay prep for exams.