MRS. WITHERS/ MRS. GOODRICHENGLISH 9

Novel Terms and Characters

To Kill a Mockingbird

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

Irony Verbal Situational Dramatic

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

Tom Robinson Husband and father of

three Accused of raping and

beating Mayella Ewell

Characters

Aunt Alexandra Atticus’s older sister

Mrs. Dubose A cantankerous old

woman who teaches Jem and Scout a lesson about bravery

CharactersHeck Tate

Maycomb’s sheriff

Miss Caroline New to teaching and Maycomb County Scout’s first grade teacher