To Kill a Mockingbird

Profile Assignment Introduction

To Kill a Mockingbird has many rich themes and characters, too many for each student to analyze
each one in depth. For this assignment, you will be assigned groups and each group will be given a
theme and two/three characters. Your group will be responsible for tracking and understanding your
assigned theme and characters and, at the end of the novel study, will present on your findings.
Once you have your group and theme, you will receive a more specific description of your
responsibilities.
This assignment is not due until after Easter break but there are portions of it which you must
work on during the novel study. You will be given some class time to work with your group but you will
likely have to meet over Easter break. If you plan to be away during Easter break, you must find a way
before Easter break to ensure that you are contributing adequately to your group work.
For now, all you need to do is pick which theme you would like to study. List your top three
choices on the index card provided and I will do what I can to accommodate your choice.

Group 1

Courage

Group 2

Killing

Group 3

Social Class

Group 4

Discrimination & Hatred

Group 5

Gender Expectations

Group 6

Forgiveness & Justice

Profile Assignment
Group 1
Your theme: Courage
Your characters:
- Atticus Finch
- Mrs. Dubose
Your theme explained
Throughout the novel, certain behaviours or actions are considered brave or courageous.
Sometimes these actions are explicitly mentioned as being brave, but often it is only implied that
they are brave.
Essentially, you are watching for characters, decisions, attitudes, actions, etc which you
or characters in the book think are admirable or brave. You also need to consider why those
things might be courageous and why some characters might view them as foolish (if applicable).

Your assignment
Part A
This part is ongoing. You should begin now and keep going until you have finished
reading the novel. As a group, you are to compile a list of significant *textual references which
relate meaningfully to your characters and your theme (they do not have to relate to both).
Exactly how you go about doing this is up to you. You may wish to compile individual
lists of references and then combine your lists occasionally to eventually make one big list that
you hand in.
You should have at least 10 textual references in your list, at least one for each character
and theme. Be sure that your references are meaningful. It is possible for a quote to mention a
character but not say anything meaningful about that character. References should convey
something about the nature or significance of your characters or theme.
For each reference, provide a brief (1-3 sentence) description as to why it is
significant.
* A textual reference can include quotes (for shorter passages), paraphrases (for longer passages),
or anything that explicitly references the text. For characters, this may include things which the
character says or does, things which are said about them (by the narrator or other characters), or
things which happen to them. For your theme, this may include statements made by narrator or
character which address the theme or events or quotes which convey the message concerning
courage that the author may be trying to send.
Even if you are paraphrasing, you must include page numbers for each reference.

Part B
After Easter break, your group will give a presentation on your characters to the class.
Your presentation should:
-Be 10 minutes long
-Explain/summarize how one or both of your characters is courageous
-Contain a *visual and/or auditory element
*By visual and/or auditory element, I mean something other than just talking. This could include
a drawing/painting, a video, a song, a picture book, a re-enactment of an important scene, etc
It does have to be your original work. If you have an idea but youre not sure itll work, come
talk to me.

Part C
This portion is to be completed individually but is due the same day as your presentation.
In about 250 words, answer the questions Who do you think is more courageous, Atticus or
Mrs. Dubose? Why?
This is about 1 page double-spaced if typed and around 1 page single-spaced if writing by
hand (but that depends on the size and spacing of your writing). You will be graded on the depth,
proficiency, and clarity with which you answer the question.
You may discuss the question with your group but each group member must submit
his/her own answer.

Your group members:

Profile Assignment
Group 2
Your theme: Killing
Your characters:
- Tom Robinson
- Tim Johnson
Your theme explained
This theme isnt nearly as morbid as it sounds. Throughout the novel, there are several
occasions in which characters kill or do not kill another living thing. It is sometimes okay or
even necessary to kill things but there are also times when it is wrong.
You are watching for times when a character decides to kill something or not kill
something and whether or not that decision is viewed as moral. The things which are killed or
not killed could include flowers, weeds, birds, dogs, people, etc

Your assignment
Part A
This part is ongoing. You should begin now and keep going until you have finished
reading the book. As a group, you are to compile a list of significant *textual references which
relate meaningfully to your characters and your theme (they do not have to relate to both).
Exactly how you go about doing this is up to you. You may wish to compile individual
lists of references and then combine your lists occasionally to eventually make one big list to
hand in.
You should have at least 10 textual references in your list, at least one for each character
and theme. Be sure that your references are meaningful. It is possible for a quote to mention a
character but not say anything meaningful about that character. References should convey
something about the nature or significance of your characters and theme.
For each reference, provide a brief description as to why it is significant.
* A textual reference can include quotes (for shorter passages), paraphrases (for longer passages),
or anything that explicitly references the text. For characters, this may include things which the
character says or does, things which are said about them (by the narrator or other characters), or
things which happen to them. For your theme, this may include statements made by narrator or
character which address the theme or events or quotes which convey the message concerning
courage that the author may be trying to send. Even if you are paraphrasing, you must include
page numbers for each reference.

Part B
After Easter break, your group will give a presentation on your characters to the class.
Your presentation should:
-Be 10 minutes long
-Explain the mockingbird symbol (what does it mean and what does it have to do with
killing?)
- Summarize the circumstances surrounding Tom Robinsons and/or Tim Johnsons
death(s).
-Contain a *visual and/or auditory element
*By visual and/or auditory element, I mean something other than just talking. This could include
a drawing/painting, a video, a song, a picture book, a re-enactment of an important scene, etc
It must be your original work.
If you have an idea but youre not sure itll work, come talk to me.
Part C
This portion is to be completed individually but is due the same day as your presentation.
In about 250 words, answer the question Why is it okay to kill things sometimes but not
other times? You must reference the text in your answer.
This is about 1 page double-spaced if typed and around 1 page single-spaced if writing by
hand (but that depends on the size and spacing of your writing). You will be graded on the depth,
proficiency, and clarity with which you answer the question.
You may discuss the question with your group but each group member must submit
his/her own answer.

Your group members:

Profile Assignment
Group 3
Your theme: Class
Your characters:
- Walter Cunningham
- Burris Ewell
- Calpurnia
Your theme explained
By class I mean social status. Throughout the novel, Scout and other characters express
their opinions over what makes proper folk and what different kinds of people there are.
Essentially, youre watching for the different kinds of groups or people that are
mentioned in the novel, what sets those people apart from other kinds of people, and how these
groups are treated based on their assigned class.

Your assignment
Part A
This part is ongoing. You should begin now and keep going until you have finished
reading the book. As a group, you are to compile a list of significant *textual references which
relate meaningfully to your characters and your theme (they do not have to relate to both).
Exactly how you go about doing this is up to you. You may wish to compile individual
lists of references and then combine your lists occasionally to eventually make one big list to
hand in.
You should have at least 10 textual references in your list, at least one for each character
and theme. Be sure that your references are meaningful. It is possible for a quote to mention a
character but not say anything meaningful about that character. References should convey
something about the nature or significance of your characters and theme.
For each reference, provide a brief description as to why it is significant.
* A textual reference can include quotes (for shorter passages), paraphrases (for longer passages),
or anything that explicitly references the text. For characters, this may include things which the
character says or does, things which are said about them (by the narrator or other characters), or
things which happen to them. For your theme, this may include statements made by narrator or
character which address the theme or events or quotes which convey the message concerning
courage that the author may be trying to send. Even if you are paraphrasing, you must include
page numbers for each reference.

Part B
After Easter break, your group will give a presentation on your characters to the class.
Your presentation should:
-Be 10 minutes long
-Discuss the different kinds of people there are in the novel (this need not be an extensive
list)
-Discuss how Walter, Burris, and/or Calpurnia are disadvantaged because of their class
-Contain a *visual and/or auditory element
*By visual and/or auditory element, I mean something other than just talking. This could include
a drawing/painting, a video, a song, a picture book, a re-enactment of an important scene, etc
It does have to be your original work. If you have an idea but youre not sure itll work, come
talk to me.
Part C
This portion is to be completed individually but is due the same day as your presentation.
In about 250 words, answer the questions Do you think that there are, naturally, different
kinds of people or are these classes or groups just social constructs? Why do you think
that? You must reference the text in your answer.
This is about 1 typed page if double spaced and around 1 page single-spaced if writing by
hand (but that depends on the size and spacing of your writing). You will be graded on the depth,
proficiency, and clarity with which you answer the question.
You may discuss the question with your group but each group member must submit
his/her own answer.

Your group members:

Profile Assignment
Group 4
Your theme: Discrimination and hatred
Your characters:
- Boo Radley
- Bob Ewell
Your theme explained
Discrimination is the primary form that hatred takes throughout the novel but remember
that hatred can take many shapes. Hatred can be using derogatory language, ostracizing others,
physically or emotionally harming others, being afraid of others, etc
Essentially, you are looking for the ways in which hatred is expressed, the effect hatred
has on both the hater and the hated, and why people hate others.

Your assignment
Part A
This part is ongoing. You should begin now and keep going until you have finished
reading the book. As a group, you are to compile a list of significant *textual references which
relate meaningfully to your characters and your theme (they do not have to relate to both).
Exactly how you go about doing this is up to you. You may wish to compile individual
lists of references and then combine your lists occasionally to eventually make one big list to
hand in.
You should have at least 10 textual references in your list, at least one for each character
and theme. Be sure that your references are meaningful. It is possible for a quote to mention a
character but not say anything meaningful about that character. References should convey
something about the nature or significance of your characters and theme.
For each reference, provide a brief description as to why it is significant.
* A textual reference can include quotes (for shorter passages), paraphrases (for longer passages),
or anything that explicitly references the text. For characters, this may include things which the
character says or does, things which are said about them (by the narrator or other characters), or
things which happen to them. For your theme, this may include statements made by narrator or
character which address the theme or events or quotes which convey the message concerning
courage that the author may be trying to send. Even if you are paraphrasing, you must include
page numbers for each reference.

Part B
After Easter break, your group will give a presentation on your characters to the class.
Your presentation should:
-Be 10 minutes long
-Discuss why Boo and/or Bob hate or are hated
-Describe how hatred affects Boo and/or Bob
-Contain a *visual and/or auditory element
*By visual and/or auditory element, I mean something other than just talking. This could include
a drawing/painting, a video, a song, a picture book, a re-enactment of an important scene, etc
It does have to be your original work. If you have an idea but youre not sure itll work, come
talk to me.
Part C
This portion is to be completed individually but is due the same day as your presentation.
In about 250 words, answer the question Do you believe that we naturally hate people or that
we learn to hate people? You must reference the text in your answer.
This is about 1 page double-spaced if typed and around 1 page single-spaced if writing by
hand (but that depends on the size and spacing of your writing). You will be graded on the depth,
proficiency, and clarity with which you answer the question.
You may discuss the question with your group but each group member must submit
his/her own answer.

Your group members:

Profile Assignment
Group 5
Your theme: Gender expectations
Your characters:
- Aunt Alexandra
- Scout
Your theme explained
As discussed when we covered the Southern belle stereotype, women in 1930s
Alabama were expected to behave a certain way. However, throughout the novel, some
characters do not fulfill their gender expectations. Your job is to track the ways in which
characters do not fulfill their gender roles and what sorts of treatment they are given because of
their rebellion.
There are some gender stereotypes for men as well showcased in the novel but most of
the gender expectations you will find will be aimed at women.

Your assignment
Part A
This part is ongoing. You should begin now and keep going until you have finished
reading the book. As a group, you are to compile a list of significant *textual references which
relate meaningfully to your characters and your theme (they do not have to relate to both).
Exactly how you go about doing this is up to you. You may wish to compile individual
lists of references and then combine your lists occasionally to eventually make one big list to
hand in.
You should have at least 10 textual references in your list, at least one for each character
and theme. Be sure that your references are meaningful. It is possible for a quote to mention a
character but not say anything meaningful about that character. References should convey
something about the nature or significance of your characters and theme.
For each reference, provide a brief description as to why it is significant.
* A textual reference can include quotes (for shorter passages), paraphrases (for longer passages),
or anything that explicitly references the text. For characters, this may include things which the
character says or does, things which are said about them (by the narrator or other characters), or
things which happen to them. For your theme, this may include statements made by narrator or
character which address the theme or events or quotes which convey the message concerning
courage that the author may be trying to send. Even if you are paraphrasing, you must include
page numbers for each reference.

Part B
After Easter break, your group will give a presentation on your characters to the class.
Your presentation should:
-Be 10 minutes long
-Discuss the tension between Aunt Alexandra and Scout in regards to gender behaviour.
-Contain a *visual and/or auditory element
*By visual and/or auditory element, I mean something other than just talking. This could include
a drawing/painting, a video, a song, a picture book, a re-enactment of an important scene, etc
It does have to be your original work. If you have an idea but youre not sure itll work, come
talk to me.
Part C
This portion is to be completed individually but is due the same day as your presentation.
In about 250 words, answer the question Do you think that Scouts tomboy-ishness might
be cause by the lack of female influence in her life? Do you view her boyish character is
problematic? Why or why not?
This is about 1 page double-spaced if typed and around 1 page single-spaced if writing by
hand (but that depends on the size and spacing of your writing). You will be graded on the depth,
proficiency, and clarity with which you answer the question.
You may discuss the question with your group but each group member must submit
his/her own answer.

Your group members:

Profile Assignment
Group 6 Forgiveness & Justice
Your theme: Forgiveness and justice
Your characters:
- Jem
- Mayella Ewell
Your theme explained
Forgiveness and justice are often considered to be opposites of one another. If somebody
has done something wrong, you must either forgive them or punish them (justice). Whether or
not you believe in this distinction, your assignment is to watch for peoples reactions when
somebody else has done something wrong. Do they forgive them? Do they punish them? Do you
do something else? And how do we, as readers, feel about the wrong which has been done? Are
we able to forgive characters of the wrong theyve done or are we angry at them? Why is this?

Your assignment
Part A
This part is ongoing. You should begin now and keep going until you have finished
reading the book. As a group, you are to compile a list of significant *textual references which
relate meaningfully to your characters and your theme (they do not have to relate to both).
Exactly how you go about doing this is up to you. You may wish to compile individual
lists of references and then combine your lists occasionally to eventually make one big list to
hand in.
You should have at least 10 textual references in your list, at least one for each character
and theme. Be sure that your references are meaningful. It is possible for a quote to mention a
character but not say anything meaningful about that character. References should convey
something about the nature or significance of your characters and theme.
For each reference, provide a brief description as to why it is significant.
* A textual reference can include quotes (for shorter passages), paraphrases (for longer passages),
or anything that explicitly references the text. For characters, this may include things which the
character says or does, things which are said about them (by the narrator or other characters), or
things which happen to them. For your theme, this may include statements made by narrator or
character which address the theme or events or quotes which convey the message concerning
courage that the author may be trying to send. Even if you are paraphrasing, you must include
page numbers for each reference.

Part B
After Easter break, your group will give a presentation on your characters to the class.
Your presentation should:
-Be 10 minutes long
-Discuss one or more instances in which Mayell and/or Jem either received or gave
forgiveness or punishment. Especially in the case of Mayella, you may wish to discuss whether
or not she deserves forgiveness.
-Contain a *visual and/or auditory element
*By visual and/or auditory element, I mean something other than just talking. This could include
a drawing/painting, a video, a song, a picture book, a re-enactment of an important scene, etc
It does have to be your original work. If you have an idea but youre not sure itll work, come
talk to me.
Part C
This portion is to be completed individually but is due the same day as your presentation.
In about 250 words, answer the question Is Mayella Ewell a victim or a villain? Does she
deserve sympathy (forgiveness) or punishment (justice)?
This is about 1 page double-spaced if typed and around 1 page single-spaced if writing by
hand (but that depends on the size and spacing of your writing). You will be graded on the depth,
proficiency, and clarity with which you answer the question.
You may discuss the question with your group but each group member must submit
his/her own answer.

Your group members:

Themes (Mockingbird):
- courage
Atticus
Mrs. Dubose
- killing innocence
Tom Robinson
Tim Johnson
- class
Walter Cunningham (and generalized statements made toward the Cunningham family)
Burris Ewell (and generalized statements made toward the Ewell family)
Calpurnia
- discrimination/hatred
Boo Radley
Bob Ewell
- gender
Aunt Alexandra
Scout
- Forgiveness & justice
Mayella Ewell
Jem