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.
Friday, December 12, 2008
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?
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.
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?
2. Why is it hypocritical of Miss Gates to teach a lesson on Hitler's persecution of the Jews?
Chapter 25
1. How is the meaning of the title revealed in this chapter?
2. How does Mr. Underwood feel about Tom's death? Why did the author choose to include Mr. Underwood's opinions about Tom's death?
3. Why is the court of public opinion sometimes more influential than the court of law? Refer to the novel and an example in real life.
4. What do you think Ewell meant when he said "it made one down and about two more to go"? What can you predict will happen next?
2. How does Mr. Underwood feel about Tom's death? Why did the author choose to include Mr. Underwood's opinions about Tom's death?
3. Why is the court of public opinion sometimes more influential than the court of law? Refer to the novel and an example in real life.
4. What do you think Ewell meant when he said "it made one down and about two more to go"? What can you predict will happen next?
Chapter 24
1. How does Scout feel about the women (Aunt Alexandra, Miss Rachel, Mrs. Merriweather, Miss Stephanie, and Miss Maudie) and their discussions in this chapter? How do they treat Scout?
2. What can you learn from the women of Maycomb about proper and improper behaviour?
3. Explain briefly how Tom was killed.
2. What can you learn from the women of Maycomb about proper and improper behaviour?
3. Explain briefly how Tom was killed.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Chapter 23 Questions
1) How did Bob Ewell confront Atticus? How did Atticus react? What does Atticus' reaction reveal about his character?
2) Identify evidence in the story that reveals that Scout is naive and childlike and Jem is more mature and adult-like in his understanding of people.
2) Identify evidence in the story that reveals that Scout is naive and childlike and Jem is more mature and adult-like in his understanding of people.
Chapter 22 Questions
1) Explain how Atticus' character has influenced Jem. Identify evidence that supports Jem's reaction to the guilty verdict.
2) How do the children (Jem, Scout, and Dill) deal with the outcome of the trial? What do their coping mechanisms reveal about each of them?
2) How do the children (Jem, Scout, and Dill) deal with the outcome of the trial? What do their coping mechanisms reveal about each of them?
Chapter 21 Questions
1) Who believes that Tom Robinson has a chance at being set free? Why do they believe this?
2) Why do Reverend Sykes and the rest of the Black spectators stand for Atticus, even after his defendant, Tom, was found guilty?
2) Why do Reverend Sykes and the rest of the Black spectators stand for Atticus, even after his defendant, Tom, was found guilty?
Chapter 20 Questions
1) How does Atticus' closing statement help his defendant, Tom Robinson? How does his closing statement hurt his defendant?
2) How do you think the jury will react to Atticus' closing statement? Explain your reasoning.
2) How do you think the jury will react to Atticus' closing statement? Explain your reasoning.
Chapter 19 Questions
1) How does Tom Robinson's testimony help his case? How does this testimony hurt his case?
2) Which characters have courage to break society's code of ethics for this setting? Explain their courageous acts.
2) Which characters have courage to break society's code of ethics for this setting? Explain their courageous acts.
Chapter 18 Questions
1) Characterize Mayella on the witness stand. Remember, characterization includes personality traits, actions, thoughts/feelings, language/speech, and other people's points of view. What are your opinions of her? Explain.
2) Comparison: How are Mayella and her father similar? Contrast: How are they different?
3) How does Mayella incriminate her father on the witness stand? Why does this help Tom Robinson's case?
2) Comparison: How are Mayella and her father similar? Contrast: How are they different?
3) How does Mayella incriminate her father on the witness stand? Why does this help Tom Robinson's case?
Chapter 17 Questions
1) Describe Tom Robinson's alleged crime, as told by Bob Ewell and Heck Tate.
2) What evidence does Atticus reveal about Bob Ewell that may find him guilty of Tom Robinson's alleged crime?
3) Characterize Bob Ewell (describe his actions, language/speech, and other people's points of view).
2) What evidence does Atticus reveal about Bob Ewell that may find him guilty of Tom Robinson's alleged crime?
3) Characterize Bob Ewell (describe his actions, language/speech, and other people's points of view).
Chapter 16 Questions
1) Describe how the Maycomb people act at the courthouse square when they arrive to view the trial of Tom Robinson.
2) Where do Jem, Scout, and Dill sit in the courthouse? Why is this significant?
2) Where do Jem, Scout, and Dill sit in the courthouse? Why is this significant?
Chapter 15 Questions
1) Describe Jem's behaviour when he confronts Atticus at the jailhouse and also meets a mob of hostile men.
2) Describe Scout's behaviour in the setting mentioned above.
2) Describe Scout's behaviour in the setting mentioned above.
Chapter 14 Questions
1) Who does Scout find hiding under her bed? Why is this person hiding in the Finch home?
2) Why is Jem considered a "traitor"? Why is he also considered a maturing, more responsible young man?
2) Why is Jem considered a "traitor"? Why is he also considered a maturing, more responsible young man?
Chapter 13 Questions
1) Why does Aunt Alexandra come to stay with Atticus and his family? What is she like?
2) How does Aunt Alexandra involve herself in Maycomb's social life?
3) Comment on Aunt Alexandra's ideas about breeding and family. Why does Atticus tell them to forget it? Who do you think is right?
2) How does Aunt Alexandra involve herself in Maycomb's social life?
3) Comment on Aunt Alexandra's ideas about breeding and family. Why does Atticus tell them to forget it? Who do you think is right?
Chapter 12 Questions
1) Briefly explain Jem's and Scout's visit to First Purchase Church (Calpurnia's Church). What do people think/feel about them?
2) What new things do Scout and Jem learn at this Church about how Black people live?
3) Explain why Calpurnia speaks differently in the Finch household, and among her neighbours at Church. How is language different in a workplace and in a social setting and/or around family?
2) What new things do Scout and Jem learn at this Church about how Black people live?
3) Explain why Calpurnia speaks differently in the Finch household, and among her neighbours at Church. How is language different in a workplace and in a social setting and/or around family?
Chapter 11 Questions
1) How does Atticus advise Jem to react to Mrs. Dubose's taunts?
2) Characterize Mrs. Dubose. Characterization includes personality traits, actions, thoughts/feelings, and other people's points of view.
3)What request does Mrs. Dubose make of Jem? What does Mrs. Dubose gain from this "punishment" to Jem? What does Jem gain?
2) Characterize Mrs. Dubose. Characterization includes personality traits, actions, thoughts/feelings, and other people's points of view.
3)What request does Mrs. Dubose make of Jem? What does Mrs. Dubose gain from this "punishment" to Jem? What does Jem gain?
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Chapter 10 Questions
1. Scout says that "Atticus was feeble" (weak). Do you think that this is her view as she tells the story or her view when she was younger? Does she still think this after the events recorded in this chapter? Why/why not?
2. In this chapter Atticus tells his children that "it's a sin to kill a mockingbird". What reason does he give for saying this?
3. What does the shooting of Tim Johnson reveal about Heck Tate and Atticus? How does Atticus feel about how well he can shoot?
4. Jem and Scout have different views about telling people at school how well Atticus can shoot. Explain the difference. Which view is closer to your own?
2. In this chapter Atticus tells his children that "it's a sin to kill a mockingbird". What reason does he give for saying this?
3. What does the shooting of Tim Johnson reveal about Heck Tate and Atticus? How does Atticus feel about how well he can shoot?
4. Jem and Scout have different views about telling people at school how well Atticus can shoot. Explain the difference. Which view is closer to your own?
Chapter 9 Questions
1. Why does Atticus feel he should defend Tom Robinson? Is it unusual for (white) lawyers to do their best for black clients in Alabama during this time period?
2. Scout and Jem have "mixed feelings" about Christmas. What are these feelings and why do they feel this way?
3. Uncle Jack Finch tells Scout that she is growing out of her pants. What does he mean and why might he say it?
4. Describe Aunt Alexandra and explain her negative feelings about Scout. How does Aunt Alexandra perpetuate (promote and continue) stereotypes?
2. Scout and Jem have "mixed feelings" about Christmas. What are these feelings and why do they feel this way?
3. Uncle Jack Finch tells Scout that she is growing out of her pants. What does he mean and why might he say it?
4. Describe Aunt Alexandra and explain her negative feelings about Scout. How does Aunt Alexandra perpetuate (promote and continue) stereotypes?
Chapter 8 Questions
1. Identify at least two details in this chapter that reveal the setting (time period and place) of this novel.
2. Why is Jem's snowman creation so unacceptable to both Atticus and Miss Maudie?
3. What does the fire at Miss Maudie's house reveal about the people living in Alabama in the 1930s?
2. Why is Jem's snowman creation so unacceptable to both Atticus and Miss Maudie?
3. What does the fire at Miss Maudie's house reveal about the people living in Alabama in the 1930s?
Chapter 7 Questions
1. Does Jem still fear the gifts in the tree? Give reasons for your answer.
2. When the children plan to send a letter to the person who leaves the gifts, they are prevented. How does this happen? Who does it, and why might he do so?
3. Can you find any evidence that Jem is more mature and wise (intelligence and awareness that comes with age/experience) than Scout? Provide at least one example that supports your answer.
2. When the children plan to send a letter to the person who leaves the gifts, they are prevented. How does this happen? Who does it, and why might he do so?
3. Can you find any evidence that Jem is more mature and wise (intelligence and awareness that comes with age/experience) than Scout? Provide at least one example that supports your answer.
Chapter 6 Questions
1. What kind of risky activity do Scout, Jem and Dill engage in? Explain their cover-up (how do they avoid being caught?).
2. Who is blamed for trespassing on the Radley Place? What does this blame reveal about the setting (time and place) of the novel?
3. What causes fear in the hearts of Scout and Jem?
2. Who is blamed for trespassing on the Radley Place? What does this blame reveal about the setting (time and place) of the novel?
3. What causes fear in the hearts of Scout and Jem?
Chapter 5 Questions
1. Describe the relationship between Dill and Scout. Include how he treats her and how she reacts to his treatment. How is this treatment typical and atypical (not typical) of this setting?
2. Characterize Miss Maudie Atkinson (characterization = personality traits, actions, thoughts/feelings, other people's points of view). How typical is she of Maycomb's women? What do the children think of her?
3) What reasons does Atticus give for the children not to play the Boo Radley game? Do you think he is right? Why?
2. Characterize Miss Maudie Atkinson (characterization = personality traits, actions, thoughts/feelings, other people's points of view). How typical is she of Maycomb's women? What do the children think of her?
3) What reasons does Atticus give for the children not to play the Boo Radley game? Do you think he is right? Why?
Chapter 4 Questions
1. What risky behaviour do Scout and Jem engage in?
2. Why do the children make Boo's story into a game?
3. How does Atticus react to the game? What does his reaction tell us about his character?
4. Identify at least two slang word/phrases appropriate to the 1930's in Maycomb Alabama. Translate these words/phrases into today's language.
2. Why do the children make Boo's story into a game?
3. How does Atticus react to the game? What does his reaction tell us about his character?
4. Identify at least two slang word/phrases appropriate to the 1930's in Maycomb Alabama. Translate these words/phrases into today's language.
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