Ms. Gulitti Name______
English I Period______
To Kill A Mockingbird, Chapters 12-15
“Growing Pains”
Directions: As we begin the second part of the novel, the author prepares us for the many lessons that the children will be forced to learn as they continue to grow up in Maycomb County. For each example, focus on what lessons each character is trying to teach, and the understanding that the children gain.
Lessons for Learning
1) Calpurnia and Lula (p. 119): What issue do these two women argue about in front of Jem and Scout? What lesson do Scout and Jem learn about their place in the Negro world?
2) Rev. Sykes (p. 121-123): What important values does Rev. Sykes try to instill in his congregation? How does he try to accomplish this?
3) Calpurnia to Scout (p. 125-126): What lesson about language does Calpurnia try to teach Scout when she says that she has one way of talking at home, and another way of talking at the Finch household?
How is this lesson similar to the reason that Atticus never told the children that he could shoot a gun?
4) Aunt Alexandra to Scout and Jem (p. 129-132): What values of Southern gentility and “behaving like a Finch” does Aunt Alexandra try to impart in the children?
How does Jem’s response on p. 130 reveal his growing maturity?
5) Jem to Scout (p. 137): What advice does Jem try to give Scout about Atticus and Aunt Alexandra?
What is Scout’s reaction? Why does she react the way she does?
6) Jem to Scout and Dill (p. 140-141): In what way does Jem break the one remaining code of childhood? What are his reasons, and what is he trying to teach Scout and Dill?
Developing Courage
Once again the motif of courage is developed, as all three main characters will need much of it in the face of the Tom Robinson trial. Examine how each character is called to demonstrate courage in chapter 15.
1) Atticus shows courage facing Aunt Alexandra (p. 147)
2) Jem shows courage facing Atticus (p. 149, 152)
3) Scout shows courage in facing the Old Sarum gang (p. 151-153)
(In her courage, what lesson does the innocent Scout teach Mr. Walter Cunningham?)
Final Questions: In what ways are the children growing up the most? What is Atticus realizing about his children and this process? How will this continue?