To Kill a Mockingbird Reading Guide
Chapters 21-31
Nash - Spring
Directions: In COMPLETE SENTENCES, answer each question that follows for chapters 21-31 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This guide will be collected and checked at random points throughout our reading in class.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Chapters 21-31
Chapter 21
1. Who believes that Tom Robinson has a chance at being set free? Why do they believe this?
a.
b.
2. Why do Reverend Sykes and the rest of the African American specators stand for Atticus, even after his defendant Tom was found guilty?
3. What does Jem expect the verdict to be? Does Atticus think the same?
a.
b.
4. What is unusual about how long it takes the jury to reach a verdict? Is the verdict predictable or not?
a.
b.
5. Who walks down the middle aisle carrying a note to Atticus?
6. How does Reverend Sykes address Scout?
7. What things are strange about the courtroom during the wait for a jury decision?
8. Scout compares the atmosphere in the courthouse before the jury returns to another time and place. What is the time and place?
9. Why is Reverend Sykes not sure that the jury would decide in favor of Tom Robinson?
Chapter 22
10. How do the children (Jem, Scout, and Dill) deal with the outcome of the trial?
a. Jem =
b. Scout =
c. Dill =
11. How do the adults (Atticus, Miss Rachel, Calpurnia, Aunt Alexandra, Miss Stephanie, Miss Maudie, and Bob Ewell) deal with the outcome of the trial? What do their reactions and comments reveal about each of their characters?
a. Atticus =
b. Calpurnia =
c. Aunt Alexandra =
d. Miss Stephanie =
e. Bob Ewell =
12. Although Atticus did not want his children in court, he defends Jem's right to know what has happened. Explain, in your own words, Atticus's reasons for this. (Look at the speech beginning, “This is their home, sister”.)
13. Miss Maudie tells Jem that “things are never as bad as they seem”. What reasons does she give for this view?
14. Why does Dill say that he will be a clown when he grows up? Do you think he would keep this ambition for long?
a.
b.
15. This story is set in the 1930s but was published in 1960. Have attitudes to racism remained the same (in the USA and the UK) or have there been any changes (for the better or worse) since then, in your view?
16. Why does Bob Ewell feel so angry with Atticus? Do you think his threat is a real one, and how might he try to “get” Atticus?
a.
b.
17. What does Aunt Alexandra call Atticus?
18. What does Jem mean when he says “It ain’t right”?
19. What does Dill plan to do with his life?
20. Miss Maudie normally gives the children a small cake each. What does she do this time? Why?
a.
b.
21. What special thing do the people do to show their appreciation to Atticus the next morning?
22. Does Miss Maudie think that it is an accident that Atticus was appointed by the judge to defend Tom Robinson? Why?
a.
b.
Chapter 23
23. How did Bob Ewell confront Atticus? How did Atticus react? What does Atticus's reaction reveal about his character?
a.
b.
c.
24. What does circumstantial evidence mean in terms of Tom's trial?
25. Why don't Maycomb citizens sit on juries in their town?
26. Why does Scout want to befriend Walter Cunningham now (after learning more about the inner workings of the trial)?
27. Why does Aunt Alexandra accept that the Cunninghams may be good but are not "our kind of folks"? Do you think that people should mix only with others of the same social class and/or race? Are class/race-divisions good or bad for societies?
a.
b.
c.
28. Identify evidence in the story that reveals Scout is naive and childlike and Jem is more mature and adult-like in his understanding of people.
a. Scout =
b. Jem =
29. What do you think of Atticus's reaction to Bob Ewell's challenge? Should he have ignored Bob, retaliated or done something else?
a.
b.
30. What is “circumstantial evidence”? What has it got to do with Tom's conviction?
a.
b.
31. What does Atticus tell Scout about why the jury took so long to convict Tom?
32. At the end of this chapter, Jem forms a new theory about why Boo Radley has never left his house in years. What is this? How likely is it to be true, in your opinion?
a.
b.
33. What is Atticus’s response when the children ask him to borrow a gun?
34. What is a hung jury?
35. Scout believes that Aunt Alexandra wants to help her choose something. What is this?
Chapter 24
36. What can you learn from the women of Maycomb about proper and improper behavior?
37. Why did Tom try to escape from prison?
38. Explain briefly how Tom was killed.
39. Do you think the missionary ladies are sincere in worrying about the “Mrunas” (a tribe in Africa)? Give reasons for your answer.
40. Compare the reactions of Miss Maudie and the other ladies when Scout says she is wearing her “britches” under her dress.
41. What is your opinion of the Maycomb ladies, as depicted in this chapter?
42. Explain briefly how Tom was killed. What is Atticus's explanation for Tom's attempted escape. Do you think agree with Atticus?
43. How, in this chapter, do we see Aunt Alexandra in a new light? How does Miss Maudie support her?
a.
b.
44. Where does the women’s missionary circle hold its meeting?
45. Where are Dill and Jem?
46. During what month does the chapter take place?
47. Why is Scout not allowed to go with Dill and Jem?
48. Mrs. Merriweather tries to make Scout look bad in front of the others. She says Scout might want to be a lawyer since she has “already commenced going to court.” What does Scout say she wants to be when she grows up?
Chapter 25
49. How is the meaning of the novel’s title revealed in this chapter?
50. Why is Tom's death considered "typical" in Maycomb?
51. How does Mr. Underwood feel about Tom's death? Why did the author choose to include Mr. Underwood's opinions about Tom's death?
a.
b.
52. Why is the court of public opinion sometimes more influential than the court of law? Refer to the novel and an example in real life.
a.
b.
c.
53. What do you think Ewell meant when he said "it made one down and about two more to go"? What can you predict will happen next?
a.
b.
54. How does Maycomb react to the news of Tom's death?
55. Explain the contrast Scout draws between the court where Tom was tried and “the secret courts of men's hearts”. In what way are hearts like courts?
a.
b.
56. Why did Jem not want Scout to tell Atticus about Bob Ewell's comment? Was this a wise thing to ask her to do?
a.
b.
57. What does Jem order Scout not to kill?
58. Why do Jem and Dill go with Atticus to the Robinson Place?
59. What condition does Atticus make for the two boys to go?
60. What game are the children playing at the Robinson Place?
61. What tender gesture does Atticus make while waiting for Helen?
62. What is Helen’s reaction to seeing Atticus’s face?
63. What does Mr. Underwood do to confront society?
64. To what does Mr. Underwood compare Tom Robinson?
Chapter 26
65. Identify at least one example that Scout is growing up and maturing and one example that Jem is growing up and maturing.
a. Jem =
b.Scout =
66. In her lesson on Hitler, Miss Gates says that “we (American people) don't believe in persecuting anyone”. What seems odd to the reader about this claim?
67. Why is Scout puzzled by Miss Gates' disapproval of Hitler?
68. Why does Scout's question upset Jem?
69. In what grade is Jem in this chapter?
70. In what grade is Scout in this chapter?
71. How does Scout feel about the Radley Place now?
72. What newspaper does Miss Gates dislike?
73. What term does Miss Gates say means equal rights for everyone?
74. When does Scout see Atticus scowl?
75. Why is Jem trying to gain weight? How?
a.
b.
76. How does Scout define democracy?
77. What had Scout heard Miss Gates say on the courthouse steps? Why is this significant?
a.
b.
Chapter 27
78. Identify three threats that Bob Ewell allegedly makes against some Maycomb townspeople.
a.
b.
c.
79. Why do you believe the author, Harper Lee, included the Halloween story in her novel? Describe any significance you believe it has.
80. What three things does Bob Ewell do that alarm Aunt Alexandra?
a.
b.
c.
81. Why, according to Atticus, does Bob Ewell bear a grudge? Which people does Ewell see as his enemies, and why?
a.
b.
82. What was the purpose of the Halloween pageant? What practical joke had persuaded the grown ups to have an organized event?
a.
b.
83. What does Mrs. Jones say Mr. Ewell said when he lost his job?
84. When does Judge Taylor hear a strange noise?
85. Why does Helen walk a mile out of her way to get to work?
86. Who defends Helen against Mr. Ewell?
87. What noise did Judge Taylor hear?
88. During what month does this chapter take place?
89. What is Scout’s costume for the pageant?
90. What are the nicknames for the Barber sisters?
91. What trick is played on the Barber sisters?
Chapter 28
92. Identify at least two signs that foreshadow trouble ahead.
a.
b.
93. Describe the significant event in this chapter that forever changes Jem and Scout.
94. Comment on the way this chapter reminds the reader of earlier events in the novel.
95. Why does Jem say that Boo Radley must not be at home? Why is this significant?
96. Scout decides to keep her costume on while walking home. How does this affect her understanding of what happens on the way?
97. Why had Atticus not brought a chair for the man in the corner? Who might this stranger be?
a.
b.
98. What is the weather like on Halloween night?
99. Who frightens the children on the way to the auditorium?
100. What is Cecil Jacob’s costume for the pageant?
101. How much money does Scout have and how many things can she do with it?
102. Why does Scout miss her cue in the pageant?
103. Why are the children among the last ones to leave the auditorium?
104. Why does Scout wear her costume home?
105. Why can Jem see Scout in the dark?
106. How many people scuffle under the tree?
Chapter 29
107. Who is the stranger standing in the corner of Jem's room? Why might he be there?
a.
b.
108. Why is Scout's ham costume significant to the story?
109. Who is the perpetrator (the person responsible for the crime)? How do you know who he is?
110. What causes the “shiny clean line” on the otherwise “dull wire” of Scout's costume?
111. What explanation does Atticus give for Bob Ewell's attack?
112. What does Heck Tate give as the reason for the attack?
113. Do you think the sheriff's explanation or Atticus's is the more likely to be true?
114. What is Atticus’s one sign of inner turmoil?
115. Why does Mr. Tate say it is all right that Alexandra had not heeded her feeling?
116. Why does Atticus want Scout to raise her head when she talks?
117. Why don’t the children go back for Scout’s shoes?
118. What does Scout call out to Cecil Jacobs?
119. Why do Atticus and Alexandra not hear the sounds outside?
120. Why does Mr. Tate say Mr. Ewell acted the way that he did?
121. How does Scout know that she is under the tree?
Chapter 30
122. Why does Heck Tate insist that Bob Ewell's death was self-inflicted? In what way is this partly true?
a.
b.
123. Why does Heck Tate insist that Bob Ewell's death was self-inflicted? In what way is this partly true?
a.
b.
124. Is Heck Tate right to spare Boo then publicity of an inquest? Give reasons for your answer.
a.
b.
125. Why do they take Boo on the front porch?
126. In what order do they go out on the front porch?
127. What does the sheriff say had happened to Mr. Ewell?
128. What does Atticus say had happened to Mr. Ewell?
129. What comparison does Scout make with Boo?
130. For what does Atticus thank Boo?
131. How does Scout try to cheer Atticus up after Mr. Tate leaves?
132. What kind of knife was used on Mr. Ewell?
Chapter 31
133. How do the events of the final chapters explain the first sentence in the whole novel?
134. How does Scout make sense of an earlier remark of Atticus's as she stands on the Radley porch?
135. How much of a surprise is it to find what Boo Radley is really like? Has the story before this point prepared the reader for this discovery?
a.
b.
136. At the end of the novel, Atticus reads to Scout. What connection does this have to the motifs and themes of the novel?
137. Why does Boo go inside the Finch house again?
138. Why does Scout walk with Arthur to his home?
139. Why does she ask Boo to take her arm?
140. Why does Scout go to sleep before the story is over?
141. What does Atticus say most people are like when you finally see them?