Chapters 1-3

1. Who can people trust in Maycomb, Alabama? Identify your first impressions of Dill, Calpurnia, Jem, the narrator (Scout), Atticus and the Radleys.

2. What are some essential family values and family history that have shaped the people in this community?

3. What behaviours are acceptable in the Maycomb community? What behaviours are not acceptable in the community?

4. Which characters inform Scout about proper behaviour? How do these characters tell her to act?

5. What is Walter Cunningham like? What does his behaviour during lunch suggest about his home life?

6. Describe Miss Caroline's interaction with Burris Ewell. What does this suggest about Miss Caroline? What does this suggest about the Ewells?

7. What do you think of the way Atticus treats Walter?

8. Does Scout learn anything from Walter's visit? What do you think this is?

9. Atticus says that you never really understand a person "until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." What does this mean? What does this lesson suggest about Atticus?

Chapter 31

1. Comment on the way the narrator (Scout) summarizes earlier events and characters to show their significance. Refer to events and characters that include Boo Radley, Jem, Atticus, and the neighbourhood as a whole.

2. Do you believe the conclusion of the story to be a good or poor way to end the novel? Explain.

Chapter 30

1. Why does Heck Tate insist that Bob Ewell's death was self-inflicted? In what way is this partly true?

Chapter 29

1. Who is the stranger standing in the corner of Jem's room? Why might he be there?

2. Who is the prepetrator (the person responsible for the crime)? How do you know who he is?

Chapter 28

1. Identify at least two signs that foreshadow trouble ahead.

2. Describe the significant event in this chapter that forever changes Jem and Scout.

Chapter 27

1. Identify three threats that Bob Ewell allegedly makes against some Maycomb townspeople.

Chapter 26

1. Identify at least one example that Scout is growing up and maturing and one example that Jem is growing up and maturing.

2. Why is it hypocritical of Miss Gates to teach a lesson on Hitler's persecution of the Jews?