Questions on Chapter 29-31
Chapter 29
1. Scout was unable to see their attacker but gives a perfect and true account of what happened. Every detail is the same as the way the story was told in the previous chapter. She is a reliable witness to the event and she speaks for the man who did actually see the event. What does this tell us about Scout’s level of maturity now? Compare this to the unreliable witness’s account given on P11 and the testimonies of Bob and Mayella Ewell in the court case. Is this another cause for hope in the novel? Why? (Character of Scout and Structure)
Scout has clearly become more mature. This shows that the next generation are more sensible and perhaps this offers a hope for the future in Maycomb and also that Atticus’s lessons have been learned.
2. Why does Scout cry at the end of the chapter?
She is so happy about the fact that she has met Boo Radley. Also the fact that they’ve been through a dramatic experience and have both been attacked and is crying about the relief. Maybe also the fact that a man has been killed. It has all been too much for her.
Chapter 30 ```
- On page 298 Atticus shows typical understanding by inviting Heck and Mr Radley out onto the porch where there would be less light. Quote from P299 to show that Scout is just as sensitive to Boo Radley. (Character of Scout and theme of understanding)
“It was deep and shadowed. Boo would feel more comfortable in the dark”
- Scout is a “competent witness” (P281) yet Heck Tate is prepared to refute what she says. Which of Atticus’s lessons to his children is this an example of (P33) (Theme of education)
This is an example of Heck Tate exemplifying one of Atticus’s lessons Its better to bend the law in some cases.
- Which of Atticus’s lessons to Scout, are taught back to him by Scout at the end of Chapter 30 (P304) (Theme of education, character of Scout)
Its not right to kill a mockingbird and Boo Radley in this case, it would not be fair to treat him using the letter of the law as all he has done is help other people.
- Boo Radley gave the children several gifts, what gift did he give Atticus? (P305).
His children
Chapter 31
1. When she is taking Boo home explain why she “would lead him through our house, but I would never lead him home.” (Theme of understanding, character of Scout)
She understands that it would be wrong to lead Boo back to his house as she now realises how much they desire their privacy. It would be insulting for her to suggest that a grown man would need somebody to take him home and also as a lady it would be inappropriate for her to lead a man home.
2. How does seeing the neighbourhood from Boo Radley’s angle and as though she was “standing in his shoes and walking around in them” help us to realise that she is wrong to say “we had given him nothing.” (Theme of understanding)
Friendship, confidence, the right to his privacy and understanding of his situation and a connection to the outside world
3. Why does Scout insist that she and Jem were not scared? (P309) Think about what we have been saying about one of the root causes of racism. (Theme of racism)
Fear is one of the main reasons for racism within Maycomb and so Scout is determined to show that they weren’t scared because she is so sensitive to the racist attitudes of the town and is determined to counter them.