1. What Is the Point of View? Explain How You Know This

To Kill a Mockingbird -- Study Guide

Name______Per. #______

Chapter 1

1. What is the point of view? Explain how you know this.

2. What is the narrative order? Explain your answer.

3. Explain how the setting is integral? What important information should the reader infer from the time and place of the story?

a. integral type:

4. What do readers learn about Boo Radley? Make a distinction between what is fact and what may be fiction.

Chapter 2

1. Why are so many people in Maycomb experiencing financial strain at this time?

2. What is the WPA, and why won’t Mr. Cunningham work for it?

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Chapter 3

1. Burris Ewell, Walter Cunningham, and Chuck Little are all from extremely poor families. However, there are great differences in their appearances and attitudes, particularly between the Cunninghams and the Ewells. Describe the differences between these two families and explain how these differences affect people’s attitudes and treatment of them.

2. Atticus tells Scout “you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (Lee 39). What does he mean?

3. Consider the narrator and the narrative order of the story. How does this point of view affect the way the events are revealed?

Chapter 4

1. What is learned about Jem and Scout from their diverse reactions to the pennies in the knot-hole?

Jem---

Scout---

2. What characteristics of children in general are revealed through the Boo Radley game? Why doesn’t Scout enjoy the games as much as the boys?

Chapter 5

1. What function does Miss Maudie Atkinson serve in the novel?

2. Explain Miss Maudie’s statement on pg 49—“sometimes the Bible in the hands of one man is worse that a bottle of whiskey in the hands of –oh- your father”?

Chapter 6

1. What is significant about the town’s conclusion regarding the disturbance at the Radley Place?

Chapter 7

1. What is the real significance of the gifts in the tree? Why does Nathan Radley fill the hole?

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Chapter 8

1. Why do Jem and Scout make the snowman such an obvious replica of Mr. Avery?

2. What does Miss Maudie’s fire reveal about the town’s people? What characteristics does Miss Maudie show as a result of the fire? What does is reveal about her values and attitudes?

3. Why does Atticus want to keep the blanket incident a secret?

Chapter 9

1. Explain Atticus’ statements or positions about the following:

a. the use of the word “n****” (pg 99)

b. his personal reasons for defending Tom Robinson (pg 100-101)

c. “simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” (pg)

d. “Don’t pay any attention to her, Jack. She’s trying you out. Cal says she’s been swearing for a week now.” (pg)

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e. “When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness’’ sakes. But don’t make a production of it. children are children, but they can spot an evasion quicker than adults…” (pg 116)

f. “…the answer is she knows I know she tries. That’s what makes a difference. “(pg)

g. “Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don’t pretend to understand…” (pg)

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2. What can be deduced about the Atticus’ character from this defense of Tom Robinson?

Chapter 10

1. Explain the symbolic meaning of the mockingbird.

2. Explain how Scout’s perception of her father changes in this chapter.

Chapter 11

1. What is the author’s purpose in giving readers such a detailed and ugly description of Mrs. Dubose?

2. How does Atticus use the situation with Mrs. Dubose to try to change Jem and Scout’s perception of what is courage?

3. Atticus explains “When summer comes, you’ll have to keep your head about far worse things…it’s not fair for you and Jem, I know that, but sometimes we have to make the best of things, and the way we conduct ourselves when the chips are down…” (Lee 139). If you lose your cool, according to Atticus’s theory, who is to blame? Do you agree with Atticus’s theory? Why or why not? Make sure to explain your position.

Part One Reflection

1. It seems the tone of the novel has changed from the beginning. How so? What literary device might be the reason for this shift? Explain.

Part Two

Chapter 12

1. What is the irony and subsequent abhorrence of how the whites use the church for their own purposes?

2. How does Scout’s visit to the First Purchase church changer her perspective of Calpurnia?

3. How are the functions of this church different from the Finch’s? Consider their collection for Helen Robinson.

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4. Explain how you might have two sides like Calpurnia.

Chapter 13

1. What elements heighten the contrast between Atticus and Aunt Alexandra?

2. To what does Aunt Alexandra attribute a person’s faults? However, Atticus must have taught Scout something different. Scout received the impression that people must be judged on what?

Chapter 14

1. Cite examples of prejudice and lack of human understanding.

2. In what way does Jem break the one remaining code of childhood? How is this important to his character?

Chapter 15

1. Contrast the two groups of men Atticus faces.

2. Reread pages 204-206. What do you suppose it was about this exchange between Scout and Mr. Cunningham that caused him to send everyone home? What is the significance of this on Mr. Cunningham’s character?

3. What has Mr. Underwood been doing all this time? How is this a contrast to his character? Why is it significant?

Chapter 16

1. Explain Atticus’ mob theory. Is this accurate? Explain.

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2. Describe Dolphus Raymond and his importance to the novel.

3. Describe the scene inside the courthouse. Describe Judge Taylor.

4. What does Maycomb’s turnout for the trial imply about human nature?

5. How is it fitting that Miss Maudie does not attend and that the children do not end up sitting with the other whites?

Chapter 17

1. Briefly explain Heck Tate’s testimony. What is it Atticus is trying to establish here?

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2. Explain how the description of Bob, his family, and his home affect the reader’s perception of his character.

Chapter 18

1. Describe Mayella’s life. Why do you think she stays?

2. Why is Mayella uncomfortable with being addressed by “ma’am”?

3. What does Mayella’s testimony add to the case?

4. What clues from Mayella’s body language suggest she may not be telling the truth?

5. How does Atticus’ cross-examination of Mayella change? Why does this make him feel sick?

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6. Do you have any compassion for Mayella? Why or why not?

Chapter 19

1. What happens as Tom takes his oath? How is this connected to what was revealed in the previous chapter and how is it important to the trial?

2. Explain Tom’s account of the events.

3. How does Gilmer attempt to discredit Tom?

4. What was the biggest mistake Tom made during his testimony? Why?

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5. What tragic racial situation does Scout realize on page 264? How does it apply to the theme of the novel?

Chapter 20

1. How does Dolphus explain why he allows people to think his is a drunk? How does this illustrate a cold irony of Maycomb’s beliefs?

2. What is Atticus actually condemning in his closing remarks to the jury? Who is the target of Atticus’ final plea? Explain.

Chapter 21

1. Describe the atmosphere of the courtroom.

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2. How does Scout know the verdict before it is read? What is the broader implication of the jury’s behavior?

Chapter 22

1. Break up the word disillusionment to determine its meaning. How is Jem disillusioned by the outcome of the trial?

a. dis-- illusion-- ment--

disillusionment---

2. How does this finally force Jem over the threshold toward adulthood? What symbolic incident occurs that testifies Jem’s move toward adulthood?

3. What does Miss Maudie imply about Atticus’ ability to keep the jury out so long?

4. What hope and fear is expressed at the end of this chapter? What evidence exists to show that hope is reasonable or justified?

Chapter 23

1. Give Atticus’ interpretation of recent events.

2. What is Atticus’s reaction to Tom’s sentence? The judicial system? Black and white relationships?

3. How does Jem have society figured out? Boo Radley?

4. How does Atticus explain his decision to have allowed Mr. Cunningham to sit on the jury?

Chapter 24

1. Why did Tom try to escape? How does Atticus explain what Tom did?

2. What insight is gained into Aunt A’s character?

3. Discuss the irony of Mrs. Merriweather’s admiration for J. Grimes Everett and her attitude toward the trial.

4. What does Miss Maudie mean by “We’re paying the highest tribute we can pay a man”?

Chapter 25

1. Discuss the relationship between the mockingbird and Tom Robinson.

2. Explain Underwood’s editorial, given his attitudes. What does he mean when he says that “in the secret courts of men’s hearts Atticus had no case” (323)?

Chapter 26

1. Scout is growing up. Explain her feelings about:

a. her desire to see Boo in person differ from their former games

b. “current events”

2. What is the irony of Miss Gates’ lecture on democracy when compared to her comments on the trial?

Chapter 27

1. Describe how Atticus explains Bob Ewell’s dislike of Taylor.

2. What were the three threatening things that happened in Maycomb by the middle of October? What do they tell you about the kind of man Bob Ewell is?

a.1—

2—

3---

3. What comic incident is related in this chapter and what function does it serve in the novel?

Chapter 28

1. What does Cecil Jacobs do before the pageant that helps set up the incidents that occur after the pageant? Explain the literary device used here.

2. Visualize the scene of the skirmish under the tree. Summarize the event, including sensory details so that we can visualize it.

3. Predict who saved the children from Bob Ewell. Explain your prediction.

Chapter 29

1. What does Sheriff Tate say about Bob Ewell’s death?

Chapter 30

1. There seems to be an immediate understanding between Boo and Scout--Explain. Why do you think this is so?

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2. Atticus and Heck have a heated argument. Does either of them really believe what he is saying? Explain.

3. What insight is gained into Heck Tate’s character?

4. Discuss and explain Scout’s comment about Boo and the mockingbird.

Chapter 31

1. When she takes Boo home, Scout understands many things as she sees the street form this new point of view. Explain some of the things she “sees” now.

2. Scout states that Boo Radley, their neighbor, had given them many things, including their lives. Scout is sad that she and Jem had not been a neighbor to Boo, that they had given him nothing in return. Is Scout’s assessment accurate? Explain.