To Kill a Mockingbird

A Beginning Character Study/Analysis

Preliminary Instructions:

            Choose a character from the novel that interests you. Observe this person carefully as you read. Your notes should reflect observations and analysis of the character as the novel unfolds. To help you in your study you will perform detailed prewriting activities.

Step One: Note Taking – Discovering the Outer  & Inner Person

As you begin the novel, begin collecting information on your character in your notes on the novel, including physical description as well as behavior. Jot down your own observations as well as words and phrases you quote from the novel.  Utilize your reading logs for this purpose. Focus the “text” side on observations of the outer and inner person. Then, use “your” side for analysis of the character and their development (who they are, how they change, and how that change impacts you the reader and the novel as a whole). The questions below will guide your note taking. However, at the end of the unit you will also be responsible for turning in a typed discussion of the character’s outer and inner person based on those same questions. For now, they will help you focus your notes. For example:

Scout

As stated before the questions below will focus your notes, for now. After you finish the novel you will be expected to write a highly developed paragraph for each of the following prompts. As you move through the novel and develop a clear understanding of your adopted character, you may choose to complete these paragraphs instead of leaving all the work until the end (when you will also be working on your essays). 

What they look like

1. Make believe you are looking at your character. What comes to mind first? What stands out as you fully envision the person?

2. Try to express your impression by comparing the character to something else. Create a metaphor or simile regarding the character.

3. Now, pretend you are handling the camera in a movie or television production. Move in close to your character. What do you see? What shape is the head? What is distinctive about the face? What color are their eyes and hair? What happens when this person smiles or frowns? How do these details fit your general impression of this character?

4. How does the character move? How does he or she walk down the street? If your character were part of a crowd could you pick him or her out of the crown immediately? What is distinctive about the movements and gestures he or she makes?

5. What aspects of dress do you associate with the character? Is there something particular about the way this character dresses that makes him or her recognizable in any situation?

Describing the Inner Person

1. What does your character do with a day off from work or school (be specific)? Why does she or he prefer to be alone or with others? What does this character do when he or she is alone?

2. You have observed your character reacting in different situations within the novel. What makes him or her happy, angry, sad, etc.? What is he or she willing to fight for? Why?

3. Of what accomplishments is your character most proud? Why? If asked what she or he does best what would your character answer? Why?

Step 2: Describing Your Character Using Figurative Language

Practice portraying your character by fooling around with words in different combinations that represent who he or she is. Jot down the first words that come to mind when you think of your character. Go back to your notes and your answers to the questions above. What is the essence of your character? What represents them most? Do not attempt to describe the character completely, rather describe them in fragments. Below are some exercises to get you thinking in this way. On another piece of paper fill in the blanks below.

(Character) loves (name of color) but hates (name of plant, tree, or bird).

(Character) is like (name or song or kind of music).

(Character) is a ______________________________________.

(Character ) was at one time ____________________ but now he or she ______________.

(Character) is like the _______________________ when __________________________.

(Character) once believed ______________________ but now he or she_______________.

Once you have completed the above questions and exercises, cross out words you don’t like, change words, add words to what you have written. Start over if you need to. Write entirely new sentences for your character if need be….

Step 3: Final Instructions

You are now ready to draft the final piece of this assignment, a poem based on the depth and complexities of the character you chose from To Kill a Mockingbird. Here are the final directions…

1. Your task is to write a poem that reveals the outer and inner characteristics of the character you chose and their changes throughout the novel.

2. Your role is to catch the readers’ (teacher and students) attention by surprising and accurate use of language to describe and represent the character. You may not be able to describe every aspect of your character, so you will need to meticulously choose those important characteristics that suggest and reveal the essence of the character.

3. Your poem must be no less than 20 lines in length. It may rhyme, but it does not have to. You must use at least one metaphor, two lines using alliteration, and one image from the Great Depression.

Note: It is important that you relay your character’s change or emotional growth based on the events of the novel. This is perhaps the best way to clearly illustrate the depth and complexities of a person, through their growth.

What’s Due?

1. Notes – based on character analysis
2. Typed answers to questions regarding the Outer Person
3. Typed answers to questions regarding the Inner Person
4. The fill in the blank exercises from Step 2 – Figurative Language
5. A final poem from Step 3

Note: all above should be typed in 12 pt. font except #1

All above requirements will be turned in as a complete unit, bound, and presentable.

DUE: