To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter 1 What racial

To Kill A Mockingbird

Chapter 1 • What racial tensions arise in chapter 1? What does that tell us about the setting of the novel? What about the mood? • How do the residents of Maycomb refer to the Radleys? What does this tell us about their feelings towards outsiders?

Chapter 1 • Describe the relationship between Scout, Jem and Atticus—are they a typical family? Why or why not? • How is Dill different from the other children? Find evidence from the text to support your answer.

Chapter 2 • What is the school system like in Maycomb AL? What does that tell us about the perspective Maycombians have on education? • The children of Maycomb seem to be very poor; find a quote and explain how this might contribute to the microcosm of Maycomb.

Chapter 2 • Who are the Cunninghams? What does Atticus tell Scout and Jem in regards to their family? What type of society is Maycomb? • Analyze and explain this quote: “You’re shamin’ him, Miss Caroline. Walter hasn’t got a quarter at home to brin gyou, and you can’t use any stovewood” (Lee, 21).

Chapter 3 -4 • Discuss the difference between Burris Ewell and Scout Finch. How are they treated in school? What does this say about the education system of Maycomb and it’s interaction with children? • Explain what happens when Scout tries to tell Ms. Caroline about Walter. What about when she criticizes Walter at dinner? How does this show the difference between children and adults’ perspectives?

Chapter 3 -4 • Find a quote that characterizes Atticus Finch. What does this tell us about his character? • What interactions do the children have with the Radley house? What might they mean? Find an example from the novel and explain.

Chapter 5 -6 • When Miss Maudie says, “but sometimes the Bible in the hands of one man is worse than a whisky bottle in the hands of—oh, your father” (Lee, 45) what person is she criticizing, and what is the point of her criticism? • The children view Boo Radley as a strange and frightening figure. How do Miss Maudie and Atticus view Arthur Radley? Why is this important?

Chapter 5 -6 • When the children come back, Jem without his pants, why is it important to Jem that he go back and get his pants before morning? • What line indicates that Jem decided what they did was wrong? What might account for his change of heart?

Chapter 7 • Jem has been acting odd since he went back to get his pants that night. What surprised him? • Who do you suppose is responsible for the gifts in the knothole and Jem’s pants? Why? • Why is Jem so upset the knothole is plugged? • Why is Jem crying at the end of this chapter? What does this tell us about his character?

Chapters 8 -9 • Who put the blanket around Scout’s shoulders? How do you know? What does this tell us about this person’s character? • Why do they decide not to return the blanket at this time?

Chapter 8 -9 • Why does Atticus think that he can’t win Tom Robinson’s case? What does this tell us about the society of Maycomb? • Explain the relationships within the Finch family. What occurs at Finch’s Landing that shows a divide in the family morals? • In the last sentence of chapter 9, what does Scout mean?

Chapters 10 -11 • Discuss the reaction to the mad dog. What is surprising about it’s arrival? • What is the resolution for the mad dog? Who carries it out? • What do Jem and Scout learn about Atticus? What does this tell the reader?

Chapters 10 -11 • What are Jem and Scout’s view of Mrs. Dubose? How is that different from Atticus’ view? • How does Atticus’ view of Mrs. Dubose characterize who he is? • What does reading for Mrs. Dubose do for Jem and Scout? How is this foreshadowing or preparation for their summer?

Chapter 12 • At the beginning it is apparent that this novel, which deals with the passage of a youth from innocence to maturity. In what sense is Jem, “coming of age? ” • What does Scout mean when she says of Calpurnia, “Again I thought her voice strange: she was talking like the rest of them. ” How does this relate to race relations in Maycomb? In the South? Does this happen now?

• The mature narrator (Scout) seems to be upset by the way both the African-American and white churches regard women. What is it specifically that upsets her about what the churches teach?

Chapter 13 -14 • How does Aunt Alexandra treat Calpurnia? How does this relate to one of themes? • What is Aunt Alexandra’s major theory concerning human behavior? Find a passage in the book that will support your answer.

Chapter 13 -14 • What is Tom Robinson accused of? How does Atticus explain this to Scout? • Why does Dill run away from home? What does Jem do that shocks Dill and Scout?

Chapter 15 • What is the mood in Maycomb as the trial approaches? Find a quote that illustrates your answer. • Why do the men go to the jail? How does Scout stop them?

Chapter 16 -17 • What is significant about Mr. Dolphus Raymond? • What does Scout get from the “Idler’s Club? ” What is it that confuses her? • Who is the first person to take the stand to testify? What does Atticus spend most of his time asking the witness?

• Talk about where the Ewells live. What does this say about their social position in Maycomb county? • Why does Atticus want Ewell to write his name?

Chapter 18 • What is wrong with Tom Robinson’s Arm? What is key to Tom’s defense? • Why does Mayella think that Atticus is mocking her? What is Atticus’ strategy in questioning her?

Chapters 19 -21 • Why does Dill begin to cry? Who comforts the children? • What is Tom actually guilty of?

• What does Dolphus Raymond actually drink? Why does he pretend? Find a quote in the book. Discuss Atticus’ closing statement in the case. What is it an attack on? • Why is Jem so certain about the verdict? What does Reverend Sykes say about his experiences in court?

Chapter 22 • What does it mean when Atticus says, “it seems that only children weep? ” • What does Ms. Maudie mean when she says, “…we’re making a step-it’s just a baby step, but it’s a step”? • What does Jem’s metaphor of a cocoon mean? How does he use it to describe himself?

Chapter 23 • How does Atticus take threat that Bob Ewell makes? What does this tell us about his character? • If Tom is found guilty on appeal, what will his punishment be? Why? • Atticus says, “…it’s all adding up and one of these days we’re going to pay the bill for it” What is he referring to?

Chapter 24 • Who are the Mrunas? Who is J. Grimes Everett? How do the women view the Mrunas? • What is ironic about the concern the ladies of the Missionary Society have for the living conditions of the Mrunas? • Why did Tom run for the fence?

Chapter 25 -26 • To what did Mr. Underwood’s editorial compare Tom’s conviction and death to? • What remark does Mr. Ewell make on hearing of Tom’s death and what seems to be the significance of the remark? • Why is Scout surprised that her teacher hates Hitler? Why does Jem react to violently when Scout asks him this question?

Chapter 27 • What are some of the things Bob Ewell starts doing?