To Kill A Mockingbird

Study Questions

• How does Maycomb react to the news of Tom's death?
• Comment on the idea that Tom's death was “typical”?
• Explain the contrast Scout draws between the court where Tom was tried and “the secret courts of men's hearts”. In what way are hearts like courts?
• Why did Jem not want Scout to tell Atticus about Bob Ewell's comment? Was this a wise thing to ask her to do?

Outline of the Week

Monday - Chapters 24-25
Tuesday - Chapters 26-27
Wednesday - Chapters 28-29
Thursday - Chapters 30-31
Friday - REVIEW
Monday - FINAL
Tuesday - No Class
Wednesday - TURN IN BOOKS, GO OVER FINAL, Celebrate

After the Court Case

You need to read chapters 22-23 today and answer the following study questions:

Chapter 22

• Although Atticus did not want his children in court, he defends Jem's right to know what has happened. Explain, in your own words, Atticus's reasons for this. (Look at the speech beginning, “This is their home, sister”.
• Miss Maudie tells Jem that “things are never as bad as they seem”. What reasons does she give for this view?
• Why does Dill say that he will be a clown when he grows up? Do you think he would keep this ambition for long?
• This story is set in the 1930s but was published in 1960. Have attitudes to racism remained the same (in the USA and the UK) or have there been any changes (for the better or worse) since then, in your view?
• Why does Bob Ewell feel so angry with Atticus? Do you think his threat is a real one, and how might he try to “get” Atticus?

Chapter 23

• What do you think of Atticus's reaction to Bob Ewell's challenge? Should he have ignored Bob, retaliated or done something else?
• What is “circumstantial evidence”? What has it got to do with Tom's conviction?
• What does Atticus tell Scout about why the jury took so long to convict Tom?
• Why does Aunt Alexandra accept that the Cunninghams may be good but are not “our kind of folks”? Do you think that people should mix only with others of the same social class? Are class-divisions good or bad for societies?
• At the end of this chapter, Jem forms a new theory about why Boo Radley has never left his house in years. What is this? How likely is it to be true, in your opinion?

The Case - Finished

Today we will read chapter 21.  After we finish the chapter I want you to write an overview summary of the entire court case.  This should be 2-3 paragraphs in length and include all the witnesses and testimonies. 

The Court Case

Today we are going to spend a few minutes recording or summarizing the testimony of Miss Mayella Ewell.  What did she in her testimony about the rape?  Be specific.  How did Atticus question what she stated?  Write a brief profile of Mayella.  What do you know about her.

Spend about 5 minutes recording your thoughts.

We will read chapter 19 and 20 today.  I want you to record Tom Robinson's testimony, and your reaction to it, on your blogs for homework.  How is Tom Robinson like a mockingbird? 

To Kill A Mockingbird

Today we are going to take a quiz on chapters 16-17 and then read chapter 18.

Here are some study questions for chapter 18

• Is Mayella like her father or different from him? In what ways?
• What might be the reason for Mayella's crying in the court?
• How does Mayella react to Atticus's politeness? Is she used to people being polite?
• How well does Mr. Gilmer prove Tom's guilt in the eyes of the reader (you) and in the eyes of the jury? Can you suggest why these might be different?

Chapter 14 and 15

Today we will be reading chapters 14 and 15.  You be required to answer the following questions:

Chapter 14 and 15

• Comment on Atticus's explanation of rape. How suitable is this as an answer to Scout.
• Why does Alexandra think Atticus should dismiss Calpurnia? How does Atticus respond to the suggestion?
• Why is Scout pleased when Jem fights her back? Why is she less pleased when he tells Atticus about Dill?
• What do we learn from Dill's account of his running away?

• What is the “nightmare” that now descends upon the children?
• What was (and is) the Ku Klux Klan? What do you think of Atticus's comments about it?
• How does Jem react when Atticus tells him to go home, and why?
• What persuades the lynching-party to give up their attempt on Tom's life?
• Comment on the way Scout affects events without realizing it at the time.