To Kill a Mockingbird Summary

Introduction to 'The Radley Place'
Pg 15 'A Negro would not walk past the Radley Place at night, he would cut across to the sidewalk opposite and whistle as he walked'

This shows how African-Americans had to be cautious around the whites no matter what the situation.

Walter Cunningham has no lunch
Pg 26 'Walter's one of the Cunninghams, Miss Caroline'

This shows how stereotypes, closely linked to prejudice, were present in this society. The fact that Walter comes from this particular family makes it common knowledge that he is poor.

Atticus explains prejudice to Scout
Pg 35 'You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view ... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it'

This shows how although the rest of the town may lead Scout down a prejudice path, Atticus tries to raise her right and keep her open minded.

Scout, Jem and Dill play the Radley game
Pg 46 'When it was time to play Boos's big scene, Jem would sneak into the house, steal the scissors from the sewing-machine drawer when Calpurnias, then sit in the swing and cut up newspapers. Dill would walk by, cough at Jem, and Jem would fake a plunge into Dill's thigh.'
This quote shows us how the children are easily influenced and entertained by the rumors people tell and are quick to believe them.

Giving a letter to Boo
Pg 'We're asking him real politely to come out sometimes, and tell us what he does in there - we said we wouldn't hurt him and we'd buy him an icecream'
In this quote, we can see that the children are really curious from what they have heard. Reather than beleive everything they hear, they decide to find out themselves. This shows how the chain of prejudice, although strong, is not as effective on the children.

Scout frustrates Jem
'Scout, I'm telling you for the last time, shut your trap or go home - I declare you're gettin' more like a girl every day!'
This quote shows us how there is not just prejudice on blacks and poors, but also women in the small town society.

Boo fixes Jam's pants
Pg 64 'When I went back for my breeches - they were a;; in a tangle when I was gettin' out of 'em, I couldn't get 'em loose ... they'd been sewed up. Not like a lady sewed 'em, like somthin' I'd try to do. All crooked.'
This shows how Boo may be despseratley trying to show the children that he is not a bad person and is being friendly.

Jem makes a snowman
Pg 72 'Jem scooped up an armful of dirt, patted it on the mound on which he added another load, and another until he had constructed a torso. "Jem, I ain't ever heard of a nigger snowman." '
The casual use of this word shows how the prejudice chain can have an effect on the children.

Scout asks Atticus why he is defending a Negro
Pg 81 'If I didn't (defend Tom Robinson) I couldn't represent this country in the legislature, I couldn't even te;; you or Jem not to do something again.'
This quote shows are Atticus is wiser and more honourable than most of the other small town folk, as he is willing to stand up for a man who is innocent and in the end, human just like them all.

Maudie explains Mockingbirds
Pg 96 'Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.'
This quote shows us how the prejudice that occurs in the town is sinful, because the persecuted are innocent.