Consider the title of the novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird”. 1.What is the mockingbird a symbol of? 2.Which characters might this relate to? Justify with evidence. 3.Which of the ideas underpinning the novel are explored through the use of this symbol? Write a paragraph in which you discuss one idea and analyse how the use of the mockingbird symbol presents this idea to the reader.

Number 1: Consider the title of the novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird”. 1.What is the mockingbird a symbol of? 

The mocking bird is the symbol of a person/animal/thing representing innocence, one that has done nothing wrong, is completely harmless and is good to society. It deserves to be protected and and not prosecuted or hurt. Mrs Maudie quotes; “mockingbirds don’t do one thing but... sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.

2.Which characters might this relate to? Justify with evidence. 

The idea of the mockingbird being a symbol of something relating to the book "to kill a mockingbird' is in and through characters. The first character in the book is Boo Radley (otherwise known as Arthur). Many fear him in the community, however he has never done anything to hurt anyone, only ever done good, much like the mockingbird. He cares for and looks after the Finch children. This is first shown by him giving them gifts in the tree holes, and then during night of the fire at Mrs Maudines house. He wrapped a blanket around scout. The final portrayal of Boo being symbolised metaphorically in comparison to a mocking bird is when he saves the Finch children from Bob Ewell whilst he was trying to attack them. His relevance is shown when scout quotes in relation to Mr Ewells knife and Boo being blamed for it: "Well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird..." pg 304

3) Which of the ideas underpinning the novel are explored through the use of this symbol? Write a paragraph in which you discuss one idea and analyse how the use of the mockingbird symbol presents this idea to the reader. 

To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee contains underlying and hidden messages, many displayed though the use of a symbol; the mocking bird. The mockingbird very much so adds to the ideas of racial predjudice during the time of scouts childhood. The author positions the reader to accept the definition of a mockingbird as something that does nothing bad for us ("mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy... they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird" pg 100), and they should therefore not be harmed.  This also ties in with the characters in the novel. Tom Robinson, a coloured man whom is accused of raping a white girl however is innocent, is able to relate to this definition. Racial prejudice also is portrayed though this as even though Tom Robinson has done nothing wrong, much like mockingbirds, because of the colour of his skin the discrimination is made clear in the novel. Harper Lee was able to tie in the underpinning ideas of this novel which is mainly revolving around racial prejudice and discrimination, with the symbol of the mockingbird successfully by using Tom Robinson as a character to demonstrate this. 

A reflective response to chapters 9- 11 A few weeks have passed since Mrs Dubose died and Jem has had some time to think about the events of the last few months. In role as Jem, write a response in which you reflect on these events and what they mean

"Its been a few weeks since the passing of Mrs Dubose. When I look back, even though she was a very old woman with her face the colour of a pillow case, and sometimes dribbled when she spoke, Atticus was so very right about her, as always. She was a very courages lady. I have come to the realisation now, that this courage didn't come from her being able to pick up a gun or shoot something, it came from deep within. Even though Mrs Dubose knew she was just about to die, she was trying to hard to overcome her addiction of Morphine, Scout and I didn't know this. Now that I think about it,  is a lot like Atticus defending the Negro Man, Tim, in the trial. Atticus knew that he would not win the trial again the whites, because if we're being honest when does the Black people ever win? My father displays courage from within and is a very heartless man and I am so very proud to have such a wise person as my father. He has made me believe and it is now obvious I should not have taken out my anger on Mrs Dubose garden and cut off all of her Camellia plants and ruin her garden. She did not deserve this, even though she sometimes did not say the most polite things."

The first eight chapters of to "Kill a Mockingbird" focus largely on the story of the children trying to make Boo Radley come out. List all of the events in this story including those which show the reader that Boo actually has come out. Now write a section in Atticus’s journal on the night after the fire at Miss Maudie’s house. How would Atticus reflect on the events that have happened?

There have been a series of events between the start of the book and chapter eight involving the children and Boo Radley. Some of these include:


-When Scout is playing in the tyre and it spins out of control, resulting in her hitting the Radley house hold and someone inside laughs.
-When Dill, Scout and Jem go to Boo's house at night time and see a shadow. When escaping, Jem gets his pants stuck on wire, and upon return, they are sewed back and folded. 
-The notes and other small objects found in the compartments of the tree. These included  a ball of grey twine, pennies, soap, and a pocket watch on a chain with an aluminium knife, and tarnished medal. 
-When Scout is given a blanket after the fire by Boo. 


I woke up to the sound of yelling and shouting outside. I get out of bed and look out the window to find Miss Maudies house is burning down in flames. I quickly grabbed my coat and shoved a pair of shoes on my feet and rushed to wake Scout and Jem, helping them into their bathrobe and quickly going outside. I told Scout and Jem to go stand away from the fire for safety, and not to go back in the house, whilst the neighbours and I helped Miss Maudie to save all her furniture and belongings that we could. The fire truck arrived shorty after and stopped the fire spreading to other houses, however Miss Maudies house was burned down to the ground :(. I returned to my children to find a blanket draped over Scout. I asker her where she got it from, however she was uncertain. Jem was as well, so that made three of us very confused. It was then Jem realised whom had put it on her, Boo Radley. He continued to explain and reveal as what came as a shock to me about the presents in the tree, his mended pants that got stuck in the wire fence, and the knothole. I wanted to give the blanket back, however for some unknown reason, he told me not too. 

Look up the meaning of the word which constitutes the title of the play, "crucible", and give a dictionary definition. How appropriate do you consider the title to be? Write a paragraph in answer, referring to one of the play's themes to justify your response.

There are many reasons as to why the crucible by Arthur Miller is named what it is, and it also has a more deep meaning behind it.The dictionary definition of a crucible is firstly; A ceramic or metal container in which metals or other substances may be melted or subjected to very high temperatures, and secondly, a place or occasion of serve test or trial.  I think that this title is somewhat appropriate, as it shows what the characters in the play went through in more of a metaphorical meaning, in comparison to its actual definition of a container. As mentioned previously, a crucible is a small container used to super heat objects for purification, and also to trial and test. The characters in the play go through some very difficult tests, and also the crucible cleanses things, and in this case could be related to the fact that the church and the court are trying to cleanse the community from the devil and all evil, as well as the witches.  A crucible container is also used to heat things up, and this is exactly what happens throughout the story line of the Crucible in Salem. The village/town is constantly having trouble stirred,  rumours being started, and innocent people being blamed, portraying and demonstrating the theme of hysteria. The metaphorical meaning of a crucible is most definitely shown in the play The Crucible and it can be understood why this title is appropriate.  

The connection between the McCarthy Era and the play 'The Crucible'

The McCarthy era and The Crucible may not seem like they have anything to do with each other, however, this is not true. When looked into, there are many similarities between the two. The first is the idea in both of how innocent people are being blamed for things they didn't do, as a result of hysteria and when something goes wrong. No one would stand up to these accusations because they were scared of the outcome until the issue was taken too far, much like Abigail in the Crucible. As a result of no one standing up for themselves in the McCarthy era (the same for the crucible), many were effected to a great extent. The accusations in Salem led too executions of many, and even though none were killed in the McCarthy era, in America numerous careers where permanently ruined and people were imprisoned.  These communists who were imprisoned were ostracised like the witches in Salem. There are many ideas in the play The Crucible that relate to the McCarthy era, and Miller is most definitely pointing out the echoes that he finds still in existence in the America of his time.

POINTED NOTES: What is the connection between the McCarthy era and the play?

Notes:

• The idea of blaming other innocent people came from McCarthy in the same sort of context as in the Crucible. 
• Links between characters, HUAC is like the girls in the trial, communists are like the witches, Hollywood ten are like those who refuse to confess.
• Both a result of hysteria
• Once someone was accused the could not escape it
• If you confessed you had to then name other people
• No one was willing to stand up against Abigail or McCarthy until they took it to far
• Blaming others when something goes wrong
• The accusations in Salem led to executions and in America careers were permanently ruined or other people were imprisoned
• The group of communists were ostracised like the witches were
• Miller is pointing out the echoes that he finds still in existence in the America of his time. 

Is John Proctor a hero or not? We have debated this in class. Now choose the most effective point in the argument for or against and write a paragraph on this point with a really effective topic sentence and evidence from the play in support. Include at least one correctly punctuated quotation.

In the play The Crucible written by Arthur Miller, one of the main characters is John Proctor, and some are unsure that he would be considered a hero or not, however, he is certainly not one. By dictionary definition, a hero is one,  typically a man, who is admired for courage or noble qualities the chief male charter in a book, play or movie, which is typically identified with good qualities. These qualities may include being selfless, trutheful and courageous. This is most certainly the opposite of John Proctor.  When Johns actions are looked at as a whole throughout the whole play, they are almost villain like. Firstly, he disregards his religion and is unfaithful. John Proctor rarely comes to church as he is too busy 'farming' on sundays, some of his sons aren't even baptised, and he also FORGOT some of the ten commandments when reciting them. Not only is he not faithful to God, he is also unfaithful to his WIFE! John Proctor not only once, but countless time cheats on his wife in a long lasting affair with Abigail, practically still a child living in the village. John Proctor quotes in the play "God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is a whore’s vengeance. . . .". A real hero does firstly not cheat on his wife and his loved ones, and secondly, a hero does not call people such disgraceful names like 'whore'. John Proctor is also certainly a hero, as hero's a selfless, courageous, and he is definitely not. In the play, he states merely before his death "How may I live without my name?". Selfish is the only word that he can be described as. In the end of the story line, he is faced with the decision to live with a lie, still being able to support his family, his pregnant wife, or die, knowing he isn't lying, abandoning everyone, and somewhat giving up. This is most certainly not being selfless, one of the main characteristics and qualities one must display to be considered a hero.  It is clear evident that John Proctor is an unfaithful, non-religious, selfish and heartless man.