In the Heat of the Night Reading Comprehension Questions
Chapter 1 Questions
1. What is the setting for the novel? (country, city + 2 details)
2. Who is Sam Wood? (Start a note about Sam as a character)
Include details about:
a. his opinion of his job
b. the reference to the killing of the dog
c. the Delores Purdy incident
d. the conversation with the night man at the restaurant
e. Sam’s ability to cope with a crisis
3. The inciting incident takes place in this chapter. What is the major conflict?
4. Who are the other characters introduced?
Chapter 2 Questions
1. Who is Chief Gillespie? (Start a note about Gillespie as a character)
Include details about:
a. How he treats his employees
b. How he got his job
c. What he thinks of himself
d. What he thinks of his job
2. Explain the significance of the following statements by Chief Gillespie.
a. “Tourist?”
b. “Where is it?”
c. “You don’t have to tell me my job, I’ll tell you.”
d. “Colored couldn’t make money like that, or keep it if they did, and he knew it.”
3. Who is Virgil? (Start a note about Virgil as a character)
Include details about:
a. How he treats Sam
b. his clothing
c. his body language
d. How he reacts to Gillespie
4. How does the chapter end?
Chapter 3 Questions
1. How has race become an issue in the novel? Mark with post-it notes the speeches or actions of characters that deal with race. (Later, add these notes to your binder with page references.)
2. Compare the efficiency of Tibbs and Gillespie as investigators in a T-chart.
3. Explain the significance of the following quotations.
a. “That’s what he’s got a shirttail for.”
b. “Nobody could tell him that a colored man could do anything he couldn’t do.”
c. “I don’t intend to sue you or Mr. Wood for false arrest. You don’t need to bother with a release. Thanks for your hospitality.”
d. “Like I said, Virgil, we know our business down here. Go home.”
Chapter 4 Questions
1. What is the conflict between Sam and Gillespie?
2. What is Sam’s intrapersonal conflict?
3. Why does Gillespie ask Virgil to stay until evening?
4. Describe Gillespie’s treatment of the prisoner, Harvey Oberst. What was his method of investigation?
5. Describe Oberst’s reaction to Gillespie’s investigation. How does he explain having Mantoli’s wallet?
6. Record the details which Virgil uses to show that Oberst is innocent. Do you agree with his logic?
7. What is your opinion of Gillespie at this point in the novel?
8. How does George Endicott react upon first meeting Virgil Tibbs? Compare his reaction with Sam and Gillespie using a T-chart.
9. What is your opinion of Sam Wood at this point in the novel? Has your opinion changed? If so, why?
Studying for the Quiz…
What could you rename each of the four early chapters and why?
What do Sam and Gillespie each call Vigil Tibbs? What does this show?
Chapter 5
1. Why is Gillespie so suddenly hostile to Virgil at the beginning of this chapter?
2. How does Virgil react to Gillespie’s outburst? What does this show about Virgil as a character? (Hint: use adjectives)
3. Who is Frank Shubert?
4. What is the win-win situation Frank Shubert describes to Gillespie?
5. Explain the significance of the following:
Who said it? What was happening at this point? What does this show? Page #
o “To Gillespie’s intense relief, he didn’t smell.”
o “ “If Chief Morris asked me to,” Tibbs replied promptly, “I’d go to England and look for Jack the Ripper.” “
o “They had a murder here this morning. They don’t’ know what to do about it, so they’re using me for a fall guy.”
o “I don’t want to be conspicuous.”
o “ “I can give you some good references,” Tibbs answered. “They’re in California. San Quentin.” “
6. How does Mrs. Endicott react to meeting Virgil?
7. Who is Eric Kaufmann?
8. Who is Duena?
9. What extra complication has been added to the plot in this chapter?
Chapter 6
1. What is ironic about the interview between Oberst and Tibbs?
2. Why does Oberst finally accept Virgil?
3. What is Oberst’s alibi for the previous night?
4. Delores Purdy has now been in the story twice. Why do you think the author keeps mentioning her?
5. Descibe Sam’s nightly patrol.
Chapter 7
1. What is ironic about Gillespie’s statement, “It had been his own idea to check Kauffman’s alibi and he didn’t want to tip his hand to anyone”?
2. Who is Ralph? Describe him.
3. Who is Mr. Gottschalk?
4. Explain the significance of Gottschalk’s parting comment: “That’s a relief; I wish all the cops were like you. And if I may say so without offense, I’m glad to see that democracy has hit the South in something besides the political sense.”
Who said it? What was happening at this point? What does this show? Page #
5. Why does Gillespie look foolish in this chapter?
Chapter 8
1. Explain the significance of Reverend Amos Whiteburn’s comment: “As long as I have been in this community, this is the first time that I have been consulted by the police. I take it as an honor.”
Who said it? What was happening at this point? What does this show? Page #
2. What two things is Virgil interested in discovering?
3. Explain the significance of the following:
“To the best of my knowledge, no one has suggested that the murdered is necessarily a Negro.
That in itself is a small miracle.”
Who said it? What was happening at this point? What does this show? Page #
4. How does the issue of race come up as Virgil rides along on Sam’s patrol?
Studying for the quiz…
1. Who would you say is the protagonist in the novel at this point? What makes you think this?
2. Who is the most dynamic character? Why?
3. Who is the most static character? Why?
4. What predictions can you make for the next set of chapters?
Chapter 9
1. What do you learn about Gillespie’s training as a police officer?
2. What does he decide to do to make himself look better?
3. What message does Gillespie receive?
4. Why would Sam be angry with Virgil?
5. The mayor changes his mind about Tibbs. Why does Gillespie reverse his decision to and demand that Virgil stay?
6. What does Sam do that arouses suspicion on the part of Gillespie?
7. What does Virgil bring in and deposit on Gillespie’s desk?
8. Who does Gillespie arrest for the murder of Mantoli?
Chapter 10
1. Who comes into the station to make a complaint? What are the details of the complaint?
2. Where does Virgil go after he hears the new accusation?
3. What does Duena tell Tibbs about her father?
4. Where does she ask to go?
5. How does Duena test Sam? Why do you think he passes?
Chapter 11
1. Which new character does Tibbs meet at the beginning of this chapter?
2. How did Tibbs catch his first criminal? What does the youngest member of the dinner party point out about this case?
3. What happens as Virgil is leaving?
4. Who is Dr. Harding? How is he greeted by Gillespie? How is he greeted by his patient?
5. Gillespie tells Virgil “I won’t be responsible.” What does he mean?
6. Who does Virgil visit next? What do they discuss?
7. Update your character sheets for all characters including Duena and Delores.
Chapter 12
1. What is Duena’s plan?
2. How is Duena treated by Mr. Endicott when she reveals her concern? What kind of prejudice does he display?
3. What will happen to Gillespie if the murder remains unresolved?
4. How does Virgil reveal his keen investigative skills in his interview with Sam? (hint: What did he notice that others wouldn’t have?)
5. Why is Gillespie so furious with Virgil?
6. What is different about the way Mr. Purdy and Harvey Oberst talk to and about Virgil compared to Gillespie and Sam?
a. How are they the same in their thought process?
b. What explains this difference in how they act?
7. What challenge does Duena make to Delores’s comment that Sam doesn’t “have a girl”?
8. How did Sam get the money to pay off his mortgage?
9. What promise does Virgil make regarding solving the case?
Studying for the quiz…
1. Several other forms of prejudice emerge in these chapters. Explain (at least) two other forms of prejudice besides racism that appear in these chapters.
2. Who is the most surprising character at this point? What makes them so different from others or different than what you would expect?
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