Questions

Read/quiz chapters 2-3

a)    For what does Scout get into trouble with Miss Caroline? What does this reveal about Scout’s character? And Miss Caroline’s? And Burris’?    

b)   What is the difference between “Cunningham poor” and “Finch poor” and “Ewell Poor”?  

c)    What solution does Atticus propose for Scout’s problems at school? What does this reveal about Atticus’s character?  

d)   Free Response Post

 

Read/quiz chapters 4-5

a)    Describe Scout’s relationship with Calpurnia up to this point in the novel. Can we trust Scout’s perspective on this issue? Why or why not?  

b)   What do you think is the significance of the last line of Chap. 4? Be sure to quote it directly in your response.  

c)    What can you infer about Miss Maudie’s character based on clues provided in the novel?  

d)   What does it mean, “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets?” (61)  

e)     Free Response Post

Read/blog/quiz chapters 6-7. See blog posting assignments

a)    Why do the children play the “Radley Game?”  What does it reveal about them (together and individually)?

b)   What does Scout mean by “It was then that Jem and I first began to part company?”  

c)    Explain Jem’s statement: “When I went back they were folded across the fence . . . like they were expectin’ me.”  

d)   Free Response Post

Read/blog/quiz chapters 8-9. See blog posting assignments

a)     How did Scout end up with a blanket across her shoulders? Why would Harper Lee include this moment in the book? 

b)     Discuss Atticus’ explanation of the case to Scout. What does Atticus mean by “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win?”   

c)     Free Response Post  

 

Read/blog/quiz chapters 10-11. See blog posting assignments

a)   Why do you think Atticus never revealed he was an expert marksman? 

b)    Why is it appropriate to kill a mad dog but not a mockingbird? Explain.   

c)     Explain Atticus’s definition of courage (end of Chap. 11).

d)    Free Response

Read/blog/quiz chapters 12-13. See blog posting assignments

a)    What do you learn about Calpurnia in chapter 12? What does Scout realize about her?  

b)    What does Scout learn (and the reader) through the trip to the church about the divisions in Maycomb County?  

c)    What do you learn about Aunt Alexandria in chapter 13 in general, and what do you learn about her influence over Atticus and his family?

d)     Explain what Scout means when she says, “There was indeed a caste system in Maycomb” (175). What is a caste system, and how does it work in Maycomb, according to Scout?  

e)   Free Response Post

 

Read/blog/quiz chapters 14-15. See blog posting assignments

a)    What happens in this chapter that causes a fight between Jem and Scout? What does this reveal about their relationship? How is this furthered later in the chapter when Dill arrives?

b)   Explain what Dill means in the last line of chapter 14. Is this surprising to you?  

c)    In chapter 15, Atticus is visited by two groups of men. Explain the situations and the intentions of each group.

d)    Free Response Post  

Read/blog/quiz chapters 16-17. See blog posting assignments

a)    What is revealed that is confusing about Mr. Underwood in chapter 16? How does this relate to one of the themes of the novel? 

b)   How is the relationship between Aunty and Atticus changing? In what ways is this important to our understanding of the novel?

c)    Explain Atticus’ explanation about the mob dispersing. What is a mob made of? How was it broken up? How does his explanation relate to one of themes of the book?

d)    Free Response Post 

Read/blog/quiz 18-19. See blog posting assignments

a)    What is ironic about Tom saying that Mayella was “mistaken in her mind”? Why does Harper Lee include this? How does this contribute to our understanding of what or who is really on trial here?

b)   Why does Dill cry? Explain the situation in detail. How does this relate back to Atticus’s comment about having a police force of children? (210)  

c)    How do these courtroom scenes compare to the ones in Monster? How are they similar or different? Why might this be? What do you make of this?    

d)   Free Response Post

Read/blog/quiz Chap. 20-21. See blog posting assignments.

a)    What do Scout and Dill learn about Dolphus Raymond? What does this tell you about his character?

b)   Explore Atticus’ words and actions in his closing argument. What makes his argument so effective? Why does Harper Lee do this? (Chapter 20)  

c)    Just before the court hears the verdict, Scout imagines Atticus “walk into the street, raise a rifle to his shoulder and pull the trigger, but watching all the time knowing the gun was empty.” What is the significance of this line? (Chapter 21)  

d)   Examine the final line of Chapter 21. What is the significance?

Read/quiz/blog Chap. 22-23. See blog posting assignments

a)    Explain Maudie’s two important quotes about Atticus in Chapter 22. How is she showing her support? 

b)   What are Aunt Alexandra’s and Atticus’ definitions of “trash.” How do they differ?

c)    Explain Jem’s discussion of “Background” and different kinds of folks. How does that help you understand Jem’s feelings expressed at the end of chapter 23 (302). Why did Harper Lee put this here?  

d)   How is Jem maturing physically and emotionally in these chapters?

e)    Free Response Post

Read/quiz/blog Chap. 24-25. See blog posting assignments

a)    Explain the Mrs. Merriweather’s quote "I tell you there are some good but misguided people in this town.” What is she talking about? (chapter 24)

b)   What is the significance of the "roly-poly"? What does this incident tell you about Scout and Jem? (chapter 25)  

c)    What is the content of the editorial published in the paper? Why is this confusing to Scout? What is the significance of this? (chapter 25)

d)   Free Response Post   

Read/quiz/blog Chap. 26 - 27 See blog posting assignments

a)    Explore Scout's confusion in class. What is the root of Scout's confusion about Miss Gates? How is Miss Gates being a hypocrite? Why does Harper Lee include this? What is the purpose?  

b)   "The Radley Place had ceased to terrify me, but it was no less gloomy, no less chilly under its great oaks, and no less uninviting." Explore this with reference to Scout's development.   

c)    Explain the idea of hypocrisy. In thinking about the tea party and the incident with Miss Gates, how are Miss Gates and Mrs. Merriweather hypocrites? Why does Harper Lee do this?  

d)   Free Response Post    

Read/quiz/blog end of the book. See blog posting assignments

a)    Look closely at the description of Boo. Why has Harper Lee included these details and why here?  

b)   What really happens under the tree? Be specific in your explanation, and be sure to explain where the knives come from.   

c)    What does Heck Tate mean when he says, “Let the dead bury the dead this time” (369)? Explain what is going on here and what he means.  

d)   Explain Scout’s reference to the mockingbird on page 370.  

e)    Has justice been served in this novel? (Think about this) Why or why not? To answer this, you must define what ‘justice” is and then provide specific examples to support your stand on this.  

f)     Free Response Post