Name:______Date:______

TKAM Discussion Questions

Directions: Please answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper, in complete sentences.

Chapter 1:

1.  Define the following vocabulary words:

  1. Assuaged
  2. Tyrannical
  3. Malevolent
  4. Gouge
  5. Foray

2.  What does the line “Maycomb County had recently been told that it had nothing to fear but fear itself” (6) reveal about the setting of the novel? (You may need to look up the source of this famous quote: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.”)

3.  What role does Calpurnia play in the Finch household? Cite a quote from the text that supports your answer.

4.  Describe your first impressions of Dill. Find a quote about Dill that you find particularly interesting and important and explain how that quote helps develop that character.

5.  Summarize what the children know about what happened to Boo Radley. Who do they get their information from? Why do you think they are so interested in Boo? What do they decide to try to do?

Chapter 2:

6.  Define the following vocabulary words:

  1. Condescend
  2. Pronouncement
  3. Illicit
  4. Entailment
  5. Sojourn

7.  What does Scout mean when she says, “most of the first grade had failed it last year” (19)? What does this comment suggest about education in Maycomb County? Does Miss Caroline seem to be aware of the community that she is in teaching in? Cite a specific quote to support your answer.

8.  How does Miss Caroline respond when she finds out that Scout already knows how to read? What does her response suggest about the type of teacher she will be?

9.  What does Scout tell her teacher about Walter Cunningham? How does she know about the Cunningham family? What details in this section suggest that the Cunninghams are people of pride and dignity?

10.  Why do you think Miss Caroline cries after the children leave for lunch? Do you feel sorry for her? Explain your answer.

Chapter 3:

11.  Define the following vocabulary words:

  1. Speculation
  2. Cordially
  3. Iniquity
  4. Persevere
  5. Diminutive

12.  Why does Scout beat up Walter Cunningham? Why does Jem stop her? What does this incident reveal about Scout’s personality? Cite specific textual evidence to support your answer.

13.  How does Atticus treat Walter? What does this suggest about Atticus’ character?

14.  How does Burris Ewell respond to Miss Caroline? Compare and contrast Burris Ewell with Walter Cunningham. What do the boys have in common? How are they different? In literature, a character that contrasts another character is called a foil (not tin foil or a math concept). What point do you think Harper Lee is making by introducing Burris as a foil to Walter?

15.  What do Atticus’ comments about the Ewell family and the law suggest about his view of justice?

16.  At this point in the book, what lessons do you think Scout is begging to learn about the way to treat others?

Chapter 4:

17.  Define the following vocabulary words:

  1. Auspicious
  2. Arbitrate

18.  What is the first thing that Scout finds in the oak tree on the edge of Boo Radley’s property? How does Jem react when he learns about her discovery?

19.  What is the second thing that Scout finds in the oak tree?

20.  What game do the children invent? How does Atticus respond when he suspects what they are doing? What does his response suggest about his values?