To Kill a Mockingbird*Go Set a Watchman
Compare/Contrast Book Project
After reading TKAM in class, and Harper Lee’s “new” novel, Go Set a Watchman (GOSAW),
complete the following project using a file folder.
Appearance: Neatness, design quality, creativity, and proper MUG is important. Feel free
to use pictures, clip art, borders, and different sizes of print/font for this project. Make it
visually appealing!
Front cover: Title analysis
Analyze the titles of both novels. What do they mean? What did Harper Lee have in mind when
she gave her books their particular titles? Remember the significance of the symbolism of the
mockingbird in TKAM, and the theme communicated with the title. Think similarly with the
events and potential symbolism in GSAW. Write two paragraphs (one for each novel) that
explain your analyses of each of the novels’ titles.
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Apparently, the phrase in the title of GSAW comes from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah,
in the King James Bible: "For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let
him declare what he seeth." - Isaiah 21:6 *for other related information, read the linked
article, or complete your own research of the title’s significance.
http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2015/02/go_set_a_watchman_whats_the_bi.html
Inside left: TKAM Character and Conflict
Select a prominent character from TKAM who is also featured in GSAW. Describe his or her
personality as well as his or her physical characteristics. Discuss the conflict he or she faces in
the novel. Identify the type of conflict also (i.e. man vs. man).
Inside right GSAW Character and Conflict
Select the same prominent character from GSAW who is also featured in TKAM. Describe his
or her personality as well as his or her physical characteristics. Discuss the conflict he or she
faces in the novel. Identify the type of conflict also (i.e. man vs. man).
Back Cover: Opinion
Paragraph 1: Did you Like GSAW? Write a paragraph that explains your reaction to the novel.
Be sure to discuss your opinion of the story line, the characters, the conflict, and the quality (or
lack thereof ) of the writing. As always, support your opinion/thoughts with details from the
novel. Give the novel some sort of rating, i.e. stars, or numbers on a scale, etc.
Paragraph 2: What is the impact of setting on GSAW? When reports first came out about
Harper Lee’s second novel being published, it was said that GSAW was actually Lee’s original
novel, and that she had set GSAW in the 1960’s, with an adult Scout returning from New York
City to Maycomb, Alabama during a time of racial unrest in the country. It was the publishers
who encouraged Lee to make Scout much younger, growing up in Maycomb during the Great
Depression which became the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, TKAM. In your paragraph, discuss
the significance of GSAW’s 1960’s Maycomb, compared to 1930’s Maycomb. What has
changed in terms of daily southern life? What hasn’t? The people, what are they like? What
conflicts does the country face in 1960? Be thorough in your analysis of GSAW’s setting.
Last item: Make a judgment call: Which book is better?
Name: _______________________________________
TKAM/GSAW Compare/Contrast Book Project Rubric:
Title analysis:
TKAM _____/10
GSAW _____/10
Character & Conflict analysis
Character TKAM _____/ 5
Conflict
TKAM _____/ 5
Character GSAW _____/ 5
Conflict
GSAW _____/ 5
Opinion: How did you like it?
Story line (plot)
_____/ 5
Characters
_____/ 5
Conflict
_____/ 5
Writing quality _____/ 5
Setting Impact:
Fully discussed _____/ 20
Which is better?
_____/ 5
Appearance:
_____/10
MUG:
_____/ 5
Total:
_____/100