Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird remains a fixture of American literature, and its 1962 film adaptation is just as iconic. This quiz examines the lasting impact of that movie and the story behind it.
You will see questions about Gregory Peck’s performance as Atticus Finch, the production choices, and the history of Harper Lee’s writing process. Some points are straightforward, while others focus on specific behind-the-scenes details.
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Which actor portrayed Atticus Finch in the 1962 film adaptation of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’?
Cary Grant
Cary Grant
Robert Duvall
Robert Duvall
Rock Hudson
Rock Hudson
Gregory Peck
Gregory Peck
During which era was the story ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ set?
The Cold War
The Cold War
The American Civil War
The American Civil War
The Great Depression
The Great Depression
World War II
World War II
Harper Lee stated that the character of Atticus Finch was primarily inspired by which person in her real life?
Her father, Amasa Coleman Lee
Her father, Amasa Coleman Lee
Her childhood neighbor, Truman Capote
Her childhood neighbor, Truman Capote
Her high school teacher, Alice Finch Lee
Her high school teacher, Alice Finch Lee
Her mother, Frances Cunningham Finch
Her mother, Frances Cunningham Finch
What was the profession and notable achievement of Harper Lee’s father that influenced the character of Atticus?
An Alabama lawyer who defended two Black men accused of murder
An Alabama lawyer who defended two Black men accused of murder
A local factory owner during the labor strikes
A local factory owner during the labor strikes
A civil rights activist from Selma
A civil rights activist from Selma
A local town judge known for his impartiality
A local town judge known for his impartiality
What prestigious award did Gregory Peck win for his portrayal of Atticus Finch?
The Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor
The Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor
A BAFTA Award for Outstanding Performance
A BAFTA Award for Outstanding Performance
A Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild
A Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild
The Academy Award for Best Actor
The Academy Award for Best Actor
How did Harper Lee feel about Gregory Peck playing Atticus Finch during the production of the movie?
She stayed away to witness the filming process in secret
She stayed away to witness the filming process in secret
She refused to visit the set, fearing it would ruin her vision of the book
She refused to visit the set, fearing it would ruin her vision of the book
She visited the set frequently and was highly impressed by Peck’s performance
She visited the set frequently and was highly impressed by Peck’s performance
She was openly critical of the film’s production and did not visit the set
She was openly critical of the film’s production and did not visit the set
What deeply personal item did Harper Lee give Gregory Peck to help him embody Atticus Finch?
A signed first edition of her novel
A signed first edition of her novel
A childhood photograph of her father
A childhood photograph of her father
A handwritten letter of advice
A handwritten letter of advice
Her father’s pocket watch
Her father’s pocket watch
During filming, which of these items did Gregory Peck’s character, Atticus Finch, often carry?
A fishing rod
A fishing rod
A collection of personal letters
A collection of personal letters
A vintage briefcase
A vintage briefcase
A framed family portrait
A framed family portrait
What comment did Harper Lee make that highlighted her emotional connection to Gregory Peck during the production?
The film was secretly based on a true incident involving her brother
The film was secretly based on a true incident involving her brother
She complained that the film focused too much on Atticus and not enough on Scout
She complained that the film focused too much on Atticus and not enough on Scout
She reportedly hated the film’s ending and requested it be changed
She reportedly hated the film’s ending and requested it be changed
She famously remarked that when she watched Peck, she felt she was watching her own father
She famously remarked that when she watched Peck, she felt she was watching her own father
What is the name of the early draft/sequel that explored Atticus’s character in his later years, which was published much later?
It was titled ‘Go Set a Watchman’
It was titled ‘Go Set a Watchman’
It was meant to be a children’s book set in the future
It was meant to be a children’s book set in the future
She never actually attempted a sequel to ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’
She never actually attempted a sequel to ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’
It was an adaptation of her brother’s life story
It was an adaptation of her brother’s life story
In what year was ‘Go Set a Watchman’ finally published?
1975
1975
2003
2003
2015
2015
1992
1992
What is the true nature of ‘Go Set a Watchman’ in relation to the original novel?
It was an autobiography disguised as fiction
It was an autobiography disguised as fiction
It was a direct continuation of Scout’s life thirty years later
It was a direct continuation of Scout’s life thirty years later
It was written at the request of Gregory Peck following the film’s success
It was written at the request of Gregory Peck following the film’s success
It was the first draft of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ written before the final novel
It was the first draft of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ written before the final novel
Why did ‘Go Set a Watchman’ cause controversy regarding the character of Atticus Finch?
Atticus is shown to have lost his legal practice during the war years
Atticus is shown to have lost his legal practice during the war years
Atticus is revealed to be a secret criminal
Atticus is revealed to be a secret criminal
Atticus is portrayed as expressing views that are much more conservative and controversial than the original book suggested
Atticus is portrayed as expressing views that are much more conservative and controversial than the original book suggested
Atticus moves away to the big city to become a politician
Atticus moves away to the big city to become a politician
What was a primary reason the early draft (‘Go Set a Watchman’) was kept unpublished for so many decades?
Peck and Lee co-wrote the sequel but decided not to release it for personal reasons
Peck and Lee co-wrote the sequel but decided not to release it for personal reasons
Harper Lee had long resisted the publication of the earlier draft, fearing it would tarnish the image of her father and Atticus
Harper Lee had long resisted the publication of the earlier draft, fearing it would tarnish the image of her father and Atticus
Harper Lee believed the sequel was better than her original masterpiece
Harper Lee believed the sequel was better than her original masterpiece
Gregory Peck felt the sequel ruined the legacy of the original film
Gregory Peck felt the sequel ruined the legacy of the original film
Who directed the 1962 film adaptation of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’?
Alan J. Pakula
Alan J. Pakula
Horton Foote
Horton Foote
Fred Coe
Fred Coe
Robert Mulligan
Robert Mulligan
How did Harper Lee’s relationship with Gregory Peck evolve after the filming of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ wrapped?
She was disappointed that the film excluded her father’s actual law partner
She was disappointed that the film excluded her father’s actual law partner
She was unhappy with the casting of Scout, but loved Peck’s Atticus
She was unhappy with the casting of Scout, but loved Peck’s Atticus
She thought it was a perfect depiction of Alabama life in the 1930s
She thought it was a perfect depiction of Alabama life in the 1930s
She was uncomfortable with the level of fame it brought her, though she remained close friends with Peck until his death
She was uncomfortable with the level of fame it brought her, though she remained close friends with Peck until his death
Which statement best describes Harper Lee’s long-term involvement with the film production?
She refused to speak about the film ever again because she felt it misrepresented her hometown
She refused to speak about the film ever again because she felt it misrepresented her hometown
She publicly denounced the film after it won the Academy Awards
She publicly denounced the film after it won the Academy Awards
She moved to New York and severed ties with all the film’s cast members
She moved to New York and severed ties with all the film’s cast members
She attended the premiere with the cast and remained in contact with Peck for the rest of his life
She attended the premiere with the cast and remained in contact with Peck for the rest of his life
The iconic courtroom scenes in the 1962 movie were filmed in which specific location?
A courthouse in Los Angeles on a studio backlot
A courthouse in Los Angeles on a studio backlot
The actual home where Harper Lee grew up
The actual home where Harper Lee grew up
A courthouse in Monroeville, Alabama
A courthouse in Monroeville, Alabama
A location in Georgia used to mimic the Alabama landscape
A location in Georgia used to mimic the Alabama landscape
Who among the cast remained particularly close to Gregory Peck and Harper Lee long after the film release?
The screenwriter, Horton Foote
The screenwriter, Horton Foote
The costume designer for the movie
The costume designer for the movie
The actor playing Scout, Mary Badham
The actor playing Scout, Mary Badham
The film’s producer, Alan J. Pakula
The film’s producer, Alan J. Pakula
What does the title ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ metaphorically refer to in the story regarding Atticus’s teachings?
It symbolises innocence, which Atticus teaches should never be harmed
It symbolises innocence, which Atticus teaches should never be harmed
Atticus gives her a rifle, which she uses exclusively for hunting birds
Atticus gives her a rifle, which she uses exclusively for hunting birds
Mockingbirds in Alabama are an invasive species, not local fauna
Mockingbirds in Alabama are an invasive species, not local fauna
It is a reference to a bird sanctuary dedicated to her father in Monroeville
It is a reference to a bird sanctuary dedicated to her father in Monroeville
What was a primary personal reason Harper Lee cited for not publishing another novel after the global phenomenon of her first book?
She lost interest in writing fiction and pursued other artistic endeavors.
She lost interest in writing fiction and pursued other artistic endeavors.
The intense public and media scrutiny made her unwilling to endure further pressure.
The intense public and media scrutiny made her unwilling to endure further pressure.
Her editor passed away, and she couldn’t find a suitable replacement.
Her editor passed away, and she couldn’t find a suitable replacement.
She became heavily involved in screenwriting for Hollywood adaptations.
She became heavily involved in screenwriting for Hollywood adaptations.
Beyond the personal aversion to publicity, what challenge did Harper Lee face regarding expectations for future literary works after the immense success of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’?
She found it daunting to meet the high critical and public expectations for any follow-up.
She found it daunting to meet the high critical and public expectations for any follow-up.
The financial independence from her first novel removed any incentive to write more.
The financial independence from her first novel removed any incentive to write more.
Her existing characters were considered too iconic to be revisited in new narratives.
Her existing characters were considered too iconic to be revisited in new narratives.
She was legally prevented from writing about similar themes by her publishers.
She was legally prevented from writing about similar themes by her publishers.
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