To Kill A Mockingbird Chapters 10 & 11 Key Quotes

Important Quotations Explained CONTEXT- Atticus warns his children about playing with their air rifles QUOTATION- “’…shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.’ …‘mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy…but sing their hearts out for us.”pg 99-100 EXPLANATION- As the novel’s title suggests, this is an incredibly important piece of advice from Atticus, and the key metaphor within the novel-the idea of “mockingbirds” as good, innocent people who are destroyed by evil. The moral imperative to protect the vulnerable governs Atticus’s decision to take Tom’s case; and links to Boo’s treatment by the neighbourhood-he has shown kindness and care for Jem and Scout, but is shunned and gossiped about

Key Quotation Analysis CONTEXT- Miss Maudie (neighbour) tells Scout about Atticus’ past QUOTATION- “’Well now Miss Jean Louise…still think your father can’t do anything? Still ashamed of him?...Atticus Finch was the deadliest shot in Maycomb…If your father’s anything, he’s civilised in his heart…I think maybe he put his gun down when he realised that God had given him an unfair advantage over most living things” pg 108-109 EXPLANATION- Miss Maudie reveals Atticus’ hidden past to Scout, which Lee uses the highlight the effects of maturing and learning moral responsibility-Atticus is a famed shooter, but refuses to use his skills based on his moral stance. Message-the most powerful person is not always the one holding the gun, but the one who refuses it.

Key Quotation Analysis CONTEXT- Atticus explains why he took the Robinson case QUOTATION- “…’before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”(pg 116) EXPLANATION- Lee highlights Atticus’ nature as just and righteous, teaching his children that they must trust their beliefs instead of following the crowd-a guilty conscience will haunt you more than fear of standing out

Key Quotation Analysis CONTEXT- Atticus explains to Scout how to react to name calling QUOTATION- “it’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn’t hurt you.” (pg 120) EXPLANATION- Atticus highlights how deeply ingrained the prejudice and racism is within Maycomb. Atticus teaches Scout that her beliefs are more important than other people’s judgement. Foreshadows the effect the Robinson case will have on how the Finchs are seen in the community.

Key Quotation Analysis CONTEXT- Atticus explains to Jem and Scout how Ms Dubose was someone to admire QUOTATION- “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.” (pg 124) EXPLANATION- Atticus uses Ms Dubose as a lesson to his children of why not to prejudge someone based on how they appear. Lee reiterates the importance of persevering with a goal against all odds, as previously highlighted in Atticus’ defeatist attitude towards his court case. Atticus highlights the value of little victories-Ms Dubose shaking her addiction before death was one of these.