To Kill a Mockingbird: Chapters 24-31

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

In To Kill a Mockingbird, life in Maycomb appears to return to normal after the conclusion of Tom Robinson's trial, but there's an undercurrent of tension.

While many of the townspeople have moved on, Mr. Ewell's simmering anger and resentment toward Atticus suggest that things may not be as peaceful as they seem. These threats are more than just idle words; they serve as a tool Harper Lee uses to hint at something more significant.

This is an example of foreshadowing, a literary technique in which an author provides clues or hints about what will happen later in the story.

Foreshadowing is important because it helps build suspense and prepares readers for future events. In this novel section, Mr. Ewell's actions and threats provide subtle clues about what's to come.

• But how can you identify foreshadowing, and why is it crucial to developing the plot?

Understanding Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing can take many forms in literature, and Harper Lee uses several techniques to hint at future events in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Here are places where foreshadowing can be found.

Dialogue: Characters might say things that hint at future conflicts or actions.

Symbolism: Objects or actions might symbolize something later in the story.

Character Actions: A character's actions in the story can hint at their future decisions or consequences.

Narrative Details: Sometimes, small details in the narrative foreshadow larger plot points that occur later in the book.

There are three functions of foreshadowing.

1. Creating Suspense: Foreshadowing builds tension and keeps readers wondering what will happen next.

2. Providing Clues: It gives readers a sense of what might happen, making the story more complete and cohesive.

3. Heightening Emotional Impact: When foreshadowing comes to fruition, it can make the resolution more powerful and emotional.

Think back on the novel.

• Can you recall any moments earlier in the book where something seemed like it might be important later?

This could be something that seemed like a small detail at first but turned out to be crucial later on.

Final Chapters: The Climax of the Story

As you move through Chapters 24-31, you will see how the tensions in Maycomb reach their peak. The actions of Mr. Ewell and other key events will show whether the foreshadowing in the story was just a hint or a warning of something significant.

These final chapters are where all the threads of the novel come together, and it's here that you'll see how Lee uses foreshadowing to create a gripping, emotional conclusion.

Keep track of any clues or signs that hint at the events unfolding as you read the final chapters. Ask yourself: "What does this event or action suggest will happen next?"

List any foreshadowing you notice in these final chapters.

• Do the events that were hinted at earlier come to fruition?
• How do these moments of foreshadowing change your understanding of the characters or the plot?

You will need a copy of the novel for this series of Related Lessons. If you cannot find a copy at your library, school, or local bookstore, you can access an online version of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Foreshadowing can shape a story and increase suspense. Harper Lee masterfully uses this technique to build up to the dramatic final moments of To Kill a Mockingbird.

As you read through the ending, pay close attention to the clues that have been dropped along the way and reflect on how they shape the resolution of the novel.

• How does knowing about foreshadowing change how you view the events in the final chapters?
• What would the story be like if these clues hadn't been included?

Continue to the Got It? section to explore these questions as you move toward the final reflections on the novel.