Your final project for To Kill a Mockingbird will blend your creativity and literary analysis skills. 

The town of Maycomb has undergone some difficult times that include, among other things, the demoralizing effects of The Great Depression, a difficult and emotional trial, and the deaths of several townspeople.  The Mayor is concerned that tensions and problems have continued to escalate, so he has decided to call a Town Meeting. Because he is a fair-minded individual, he has decided to bring as many different people together as possible. The goal in bringing folks together is to hear their perspectives on recent events as well as their views on what the town should do to ease current tensions. This follows Atticus’ advice when he tells Scout, “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.”

The town hall meeting will run as town meetings often do. Individuals will be called to the microphone and asked to present their position and perspective as honestly as possible. The mayor and the rest of the Maycomb community will take notes and listen attentively. If time permits, some questions may be allowed at the end.

1.   Speaking at the Town Meeting: Each of you will be given a character from the list below and you will “climb into his (or her) skin and walk around in it.”

• Heck Tate
• Judge Taylor
• Atticus Finch
• Reverend Sykes
• Mr. Cunningham
• Link Deas
• Miss Caroline Fisher
• Mrs. Merriweather
• Mr. Underwood
• Helen Robinson
• Dolphus Raymond
• Mayella Ewell
• Calpurnia
• Miss Stephanie Crawford
• Aunt Alexandra
• Jem Finch
• Scout Finch
• Dill Harris
• Miss Maudie Atkinson
• Mr. Nathan Radley
• Mr. Gilmer
• Zeebo
• Eula May
• Mr. Arthur “Boo” Radley

You will complete a “Talking Points” handout to prepare you for your statement. I expect thorough answers supported by concrete details from the text. During the town meeting, I expect to see good public speaking skills.

2.   Notetaking Chart: During the Town Meeting you will be given a chart for taking notes. You will turn them in after the presentations.

3.   Response to the Town Meeting: Your response to the Town Meeting can take any form you choose (poster, letter to another character, fine art, musical interpretation, essay, etc). The goal of the response is to summarize your character’s point of view in a formal way.

To Kill a Mockingbird Town Hall “Talking Points”

Answer all questions using first person. Answers can be in the form of an outline or complete sentences/paragraphs.

Character: _______________________________________________

• What is your social, economic and educational background? How might it impact your actions and opinions?
• Where do you live?
• What role do you play in the plot of the novel?
• How well respected are you in the community?
• What was your connection to the events surrounding the trial? To what extent were you involved?
• With which community do you live, play, and work (blacks, whites, friends…)?
• What is your current perspective on the situation in Maycomb? How do you feel about the current tensions?
• Has your point of view changed over the course of the novel? How so?
• What do you think the mayor and the members of the Town Council should do for Maycomb?
• How do you generally speak? Are you formal? Informal? Polite? Rude?

Now, write out a “statement” that you plan to make at the Town Hall when you are called upon to speak.  Be sure to use first person and include as many key details as possible to support your ideas. You will only have 2 minutes to speak, so one page will be plenty. 

Note Chart for the Town Hall