To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter Two and Three

‘To Kill a Mockingbird’

Chapter Two and Three – Plot Summary • It is now September and Dill has to go back to Meridian. • Scout starts her first year at school and she meets her teacher, Miss Caroline. • Miss Caroline tells Scout off for being able to read and explains her father must not read to her anymore. • Miss Caroline makes the mistake of offering Walter Cunningham lunch money. When Scout points out the Cunningham’s won’t accept charity she is slapped with a ruler. • Scout can’t wait to go home.

Chapter Two and Three – Plot Summary • Scout pays Walter Cunningham back with her fists for getting her off on the wrong foot with Miss Caroline. • Jem intervenes and invites Walter home for food, where he puts syrup on his meat. Scout gets scolded for making fun of him and she has to eat her dinner in the kitchen. • Scout does not want to go back to school but Atticus says if she does he promises to continue to read to her.

Character Atticus Finch • - Despite not being the hero/narrator, • Atticus Finch is, in many ways, the most important character in the novel. He is a decent, moral and brave man who refuses to accept the attitudes and prejudices of Maycomb. He also wishes to bring his children up to be equally decent, moral citizens.

Character Atticus Finch Quote: “You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view…until you climb around in their skin and walk around in it. ” Analysis: Atticus is empathetic. He fully appreciates the feelings of others. The use of the metaphor “climb around in their skin” highlights the idea that he tries to imagine what is like to be in a person’s situation Importance to the Text: This heightens our understanding of his character because it is not always easy, particularly in a prejudiced town like Maycomb, to empathise with other people, particularly if they are rude or could mean you serious harm.