dbq 1: principles

Mrs. Luciano -English 1A

DBQ Individual/Group Analysis & Essay

How is the literature we read relevant to today?

DBQ 1: Principles

One of the themes explored in the novel is that of morality/principles. In chapter 11, Atticus explains (again) to

Scout why he is defending Tom Robinson, saying,

“This case, Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience –

Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man…before I can live with

other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one things that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s

conscience.”

Prompt: Based on the passage, your reading of To Kill a Mockingbird so far, and the DBQ documents,

to what extent should morality/principles guide a person’s decisions?

Directions:

Step 1 (Prep work): Read the articles in your DBQ packet. Begin answering the questions. This is going to

represent some of the supporting evidence you will use to write your essay

Step 2 (Prep work): Work with your partners to go through the questions together.

Step 3 (Outline): Look at the prompt for your DBQ paper. Create a thesis statement that answers the

question, and decide on three supporting ideas to back up your claim. Use your information from your

questions to help come up with your topics.

Step 4 (Essay): Work in groups of two or three to collectively write a DBQ essay.

o Determine the topic sentences of each of your three body paragraphs. Each paragraph represents a

supporting idea that answers the prompt.

o Write three body paragraphs.

o Each paragraph needs to incorporate one or two pieces on information from the DBQ

documents.

When including information from the DBQ documents, you either summarize the

information in your own words, or you may quote a few lines from the article.

No matter which you choose, you need to indicate where you obtained your information.

After your summary or quote, in parenthesis, write which article you used.

For example, if quoted a few lines from Document A, you will write (Document A)

following the sentence(s).

o You also need to include an example from TKAM into at least one of your paragraphs.

o In summary, your paper should have an example from TKAM and use at least three of the DBQ

documents.

o Write a conclusion to the paper.

o Read the paper from start to finish and make any revisions you see necessary.

o Print out your paper (double-spaced, front and back)

Other requirements:

Length: Typed, double-spaced, at least four to five paragraphs (introductory paragraph, two or three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph)

12 font, Times New Roman or Arial MLA Format


DBQ 1: Principles

Questions from Documents

Document A

1) Write four or five sentences explaining how the definition of “principle” is modeled on Atticus’

statement about morality/principles.

Document B

1) What had been the question that plagued Calvin during the school day?

2) What are his arguments for each side of the question?

3) What is at the core of Calvin’s dilemma (the consequence)?

4) What is ironic about Calvin’s consideration of cheating on this particular test?


5) What do you believe is the weakness in rationalizations?

Document C

1) After World War I, African Americans moved North to get high-paying jobs. What did they

soon discover about life in the North?

2) What prompted Sweet to purchase a house in a lower-middle-class white neighborhood?

3) What was the purpose of the Waterworks Park Improvement Association?

4) What happened on the evening of September 9, 1925?

5) What was Clarence Darrow’s defense?

6) After the mistrial and the acquittal, why do you think the prosecutor (Toms) decided to dismiss

the charges against the other defendants?


7) Write 4 – 5 sentences using evidence from the text to explain whether or not morality/principles

were used when decisions were made the evening of September 9, 1925. Demonstrate the

connection between this event and Atticus’ statement about morality/principles.

Document D

1) Explain the meaning of the last sentence in stanza 1 (“Buckle your shoes…”).

2) What is the meaning of “fortitude” as it is used in stanza 2, line 2?

3) What are the “Principles of Life”?

4) Write four to five sentences using evidence from the poem to explain how the “Principles of

Life” relate to Atticus’ statement about morality/principles.


Document E

1) What was at stake during this softball game?

2) What had Tucholsky done for the first time?

3) What happened to Tucholsky that could have taken away this accomplishment?

4) What rules complicated the situation?

5) Who came up with a solution to the problem?

6) What were the results of this solution?

7) Why do you think Holtman and Wallace made this decision?


8) Do you agree with Holtman and Wallace’s decision? Why or why not?

9) Write four to five sentences using evidence from the text that explains how this event is an

example of morality/principles guiding people’s decisions. Demonstrate a connection to

Atticus’ quotation.


DBQ 1: Principles

Evidence from TKAM

Evidence / Quote from Novel Explain how this connects to your topic on Principles/Morality




DBQ 2: Courage

One of the themes explored in the novel is courage. In chapter 11, Atticus explains to Jem why he had Jem

spend time with Mrs. Dubose, saying,

“…I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a

gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see

it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. Mrs. Dubose won, all ninety-eight

pounds of her…She was the bravest person I ever knew.”


what is true courage?

Directions:












documents.









documents.




Other requirements:




DBQ 2: Courage


Document A

1) Where was Parks seated when the bus driver asked her to move? Why is that important?

2) Why was Parks arrested?

3) What was Parks’ family concerned about?

4) What is the importance of Browder v. Gayle?

5) Do you agree with the idea that Parks is the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement?”

6) Write four or five sentences using evidence from the text that explains Parks’ courage and

connect it to Atticus’ statement about Mrs. Dubose’s courage.


Document B

1) What is Pasternack’s explanation of “living fearlessly?”

2) What is the dictionary definition (denotation) of “courage?”

3) Explain Pasternack’s idea of “courage” in her personal example and in nature.

4) What is the relationship between “courage” and “being fearless?”

Document C

1) In the first stanza, the speaker is defining what courage is not. What is the meaning in the

descriptions of “dash,” “moment’s flash,” “instantaneous thing,” “sudden spring,” “flickered

hope,” and “slipping rope?”

2) In the first stanza, what does the speaker say that courage is? What do you think that means?


3) In the second stanza, where does the speaker say we should have courage?

4) In the third stanza, what is the meaning of the second phrase (lines 3 and 4)?

5) In the fourth stanza, what is the meaning of the last sentence (lines 7 and 8)?

6) In the last stanza, the speaker provides a definitive description of courage. Write 4 – 5

sentences explaining how the poem exemplifies true courage and connecting these details to.

Atticus’ statement about courage.

Document D

1) What do you notice about the color palette of the cartoon? What is the importance of it?

2) What particular details stand out to you? Why?


3) What is the posture of the journalist signifying?

4) What is the meaning of the journalist pulling his shirt a part to reveal a newspaper?

5) Explain the tone of the cartoon using evidence.

6) Write four to five sentences explaining how a journalist displays courage in today’s world and

connecting that to Atticus’ statement about courage.

Document E

1) What changes came to Swat Valley under the control of the Taliban?

2) What was Malala’s reaction to this change?


3) What provoked the Taliban’s attack on Malala?

4) How has Malala supported the education of girls in Nigeria?

5) What is the purpose of the Malala Fund?

6) What awards has Malala received due to her activism?

7) Why do you think Holtman and Wallace made this decision?

8) Do you agree with Holtman and Wallace’s decision? Why or why not?

9) Write four to five sentences using evidence from the text to explain how Malala exhibited

courage and connect it to Atticus’ statement about courage.


DBQ 2: Courage

Evidence from TKAM





DBQ 3: Compassion

One of the themes explored in the novel is that of compassion. In chapter 3, Atticus explains why he is Scout

needs to be patient with Miss Caroline, saying,

“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.”


what is the importance of showing compassion?

Directions:












documents.









documents.




Other requirements:




DBQ 3: Compassion


Document A

1) Why were people gathered at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross?

2) Why did Rabbi Or Rose give up his seat?

3) Why did Rabbi Or Rose share Steve McHugh’s stories?

4) Write four or five sentences using evidence from the text to explain how the two anecdotes

exemplify compassion and connect it to Atticus’ statement about compassion.

Document B

1) What is the setting of the speech?

2) What gives Mary Fisher the credibility to make a speech about AIDS?


3) Explain what Mary Fisher means when she says (in the fourth paragraph), “Tonight, I

represent an AIDS community whose members have been reluctantly drafted from every

segment of American society.”

4) What are the warnings Fisher issues in this speech?

5) Write four or five sentences using evidence from the speech to explain the ways Fisher is

asking the Republican Party and Americans to demonstrate compassion, and connect her

ideas to Atticus’ statement about compassion.

Document C

1) What caused the accident? What was the reaction of the white driver?

2) Why did those injured in the accident have to be treated by a white doctor at his office?

3) What happened to Derricotte and Johnson? Why?


4) What is the importance of Walter White’s quotation?

5) Write 4 – 5 sentences using evidence from the text to connect the events in the article to

Atticus’ statement about courage.

Document D

1) What does the Grim Reaper represent?

2) Describe the passengers on the boat. What do you notice about the appearances of the

passengers?

3) Why might some of the passengers be watching the water?

4) What is this picture telling you will happen to the passengers on the boat?


5) Write four to five sentences explaining the message of compassion in the editorial cartoon and

connecting it to Atticus’s statement about compassion.

Document E

1) In the second stanza, what is the effect of the comma before “burning?”

2) What is the effect of repeating “silently?”

3) Where is Leonora going?

4) Why is Leonora going there?

5) To what is the “light from the cross” being compared? Why?

6) What is Leonora’s emotional response to the burning cross?


DBQ 3: Compassion

Evidence from TKAM





DBQ 4: Equality

One of the themes explored in the novel is that of equality. In chapter 20, Atticus is presenting his closing

remarks to the jury with the hope that they will view the evidence fairly. He says,

“But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal – there is one human institution

that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the

ignorant man the equal of any college president. That institution, gentlemen, is a court…in this country

our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal.”


in what manner does equality reflect the idea of justice?

Directions:












documents.









documents.




Other requirements:




DBQ 4: Equality


Document A

1) What was the accusation made about the nine African American teens?

2) What constitutes the injustice in this case?

3) What was the initial verdict for all nine teens?

4) What is the significance of Norris v. Alabama (1935)?

5) How did this litigation end for the nine?

Document B

1) In the first paragraph, explain King’s metaphor of “Negro slaves who had been seared in the

flames of withering injustice.”


2) In the second paragraph, why does King repeat the phrase “one hundred years later?”

3) What is the “shameful condition” that King has come to highlight?

4) What is the “sacred obligation” that America has failed to honor?

5) Write four to five sentences using evidence from the text to explain what you think King is

asking for in his phrase “riches of freedom and the security of justice.” Connect this idea to

Atticus’s statement about equality.

Document C

1) What is the setting of the editorial cartoon?

2) What is the importance of having the judge, the law book, and the jury labeled?


3) What is the defendant doing?

4) What is the significance of the other people in the courtroom having on earmuffs?

5) How do all of the details connect to the scripture under the picture?

6) Write 4 – 5 sentences connecting the message of equality and justice in the cartoon to Atticus’

statement about equality.

Document D

1) What are the contrasting ideas in the poem?

2) In stanza 1, what is the free bird able to do?


3) In stanza 2, what are the hindrances that the caged bird faces?

4) Explain the metaphor of “his bars of rage” in stanza 2?

5) What is something the caged bird can do?

6) In stanza 4, what is the free bird able to do?

7) Explain the phrase “he names the sky his own” in stanza 4.

8) Explain the metaphor “But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams” in stanza 5.

9) In the chorus, why does the caged bird sing “with a fearful trill?” What might be “the distant

hill?”

10) What does each bird symbolize?


11) Write four to five sentences using evidence from the poem to explain how the “caged bird”

could receive justice/equality, and connect that idea to Atticus’ statement about equality.

Document E

1) What does Truth mean when she says, “there must be something out of kilter?”

2) In the second paragraph, explain the purpose of Truth repeating the question, “Ain’t I a

woman?”

3) Truth asks the question as to whether intellect has anything to do “with women’s rights or

negroes’ rights.” What do you think is the answer to that question? Explain.

4) What is Truth’s point about Christ being born of woman, not of man?

5) What is Truth’s final point in the fifth paragraph?


6) According to Truth, “the white men will be in a fix pretty soon.” Write four to five sentences

explaining what she means, and connect that meaning Atticus’ statement about equality.


DBQ 4: Equality

Evidence from TKAM
