Chapter 3

 What do we learn about Calpurnia’s attitude towards others?

- Respects others and their ways, and encourages Scout to do the same.
- She believes people should be treated as equal.
 “You never really understand another person until you consider things form his point of view” What
does this tell us about Atticus?
- He may have had a hard life whilst growing up.
- You need to have empathy. You don’t know what other people have gone through and you should
treat them with respect and nicely.
 What do you think about the way Atticus treats Walter?
- Atticus treats Walter like a man; they have a manly conversation.
- A lot of people pity Walter, whereas, Atticus talked to him and treated him like everybody else, not
more not less.
 What do we learn about the Ewells?
- A disgrace to the town.
- They don’t work.
- The kids don’t go to school.
- They live “like animals”
- They don’t shower.

Chapter 4
 What do the kids find in the tree?
There is some tinfoil stuck to a knothole on the edge of the tree. Inside the hole he finds two pieces of
chewing gum.
 Who do you think put them there? Why?
I think Boo leaves items in the knothole for the children as Boo has a very shy personality and cannot
venture out into the community, thus, he would be the best character to befriend Jem and Scout by leaving
them gifts in the knothole of the tree. This would be the best way of communicating with the children. We
later figure out that it was indeed Boo who left seven items/gifts in the tree for the children, Jem and Scout.
Unfortunately, this ends later as the knothole is filled up with cement.

Chapter 5
 Describe Maude Atkinson. Is she a typical Macomb Woman?
Maudie Atkinson is characterized as the epitome of strength. Atkinson lives across the street from Jem and
Scout and it brave enough to look forward to the future even in the event that her house burns down.
She is not a typical Macomb woman as unlike Miss Stephanie and Mrs. Dubose, Miss Maudie uses her
sharp tongue to counter meanness rather than to perpetrate it.

Chapter 12
 What is the significance of the first purchase church?
It was the first thing brought by the free slaves. They were not welcomed to this church and were criticized.
 What new things does Scout learn about how the black people live?
Language, job, church, education, they count the collection money in front of everyone.
 Look closely at page 139 – how does Lee show that racial prejudice is ingrained in ‘Maycomb’?
Calpurnia is criticized for bringing white children to an African-American church. Scout and Jem criticize
Calpurnia for how she speaks to other people at the church.
 “You’re not gonna change any of them by talkin’ right, they’ve got to want to learn themselves and
when they don’t want to learn there’s nothing you can do but keep your mouth shit or talk their language.”
What does this quote mean/show?
A stigma present representing the prejudice explored by communities. This statement refers to the lack of
an individual’s ability to force others to be they or utilise their worldview towards in issue.

Chapter 14
 Comment on Atticus’ explanation of rape. How is this suitable for Scout?
He said that rape was a carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent. He has told her the
meaning, however, has done it in a way that doesn’t really show the emotion behind it. This is suitable as
he gave the overview of the issue without going into depth.
 Why does Aunt Alexandra think they should sack Calpurnia? How does Atticus respond?
She thought that Calpurnia was not needed anymore; the Aunt was triggered due to Calpurnia inviting
Scout over for dinner. Atticus responded as supportive to Calpurnia regarding how they need her just as
much as they ever did.
 What do we learn about Dill?
He ran away from home because his parents were not giving him enough attention.
QUOTES
 “He was positively allergic to my presence when in public” (chapter14 page 148 line 4). Depicts the
relationship between Jem and Scout
 “We still need Calpurnia as much as we used to … the children love her (chapter 14 page 151 line
4-11). Illustrates Calpurnia’s personality and how Atticus depicts her character.
WORDS
 Pensive
 Edification

Chapter 15
 What is the ‘nightmare’ that descends upon the children?
The jail scene, everyone judging their family and coming after Atticus.
 What is the Klu Klux Klan? What do you think of Atticus’ comment on them?
Atticus comments on the KKK as past and insignificant to worry about due to their lack of existence.
 How does Jem react when Atticus tells hum to go home? Why?
She says no I’m not going, because he thinks Atticus is in danger.
 What effect does Scout have on the events of the jail? How?
She makes him go away, she unintentionally begins this conversation with him “I go to the same school as
your kid”, unknowingly changing the mind of the man “oh I’m not killing him”.

News reporter: he doesn’t agree that Atticus should defend Tom Robinson, however is protecting him for
the vast public.

Chapter 16
 “You know it’s a funny thing about Braxton.” Said Atticus. “He despises Negros, won’t have on
near him.
- Mr. Underwood has an understanding of right and wrong and is willing to defend.
- This utilises moral compass.
- Even Braxton know what the mob was trying to do was wrong.
- Depth of the racism in Maycomb.
 “Mr Cunningham’s basically a good man,” he said, “just just has his blind spots along with the rest
of us”
 “A gang of wild animals can be stopped, simply because they’re still human. You children last night
made Walter Cunningham, stand in my shoes for a minute. That was enough.”
 About Dolphus Raymond after Dill hears he married a coloured woman. “He doesn’t look like
trash,” said Dill.
 “But for the south porch, the Maycomb country courthouse was early Victorian, presenting an
unoffensive vista when seen form the North. From the other side, however, Greel revival columns clashed
with a big nineteenths century clock tower, housing a resuty unreliable instrument, a view indicating a
people determined to preserve every ophysical scrap fo the past”.
 “one or two of te jury ;ooked vaguely like dressed up Cunnngham”.
 This quote is what dill says about Raymond after hearing who his marrying to.
 Description fo the courthouse

Chapter 18
 What evidence is different?
Mayella ‘forgot’ she was strangled, Sheriff Tate never saw Tom.
 What does this suggest?
That’s he was trying to remember a story.
 Is Mayella like her father? Why/ or Why not?
Yes- she’s a liar like her father.
No – Mayella tries to make the house nice, she tries to stay clean. She doesn’t fit in at home, she seems
nicer than the rest of the Ewells.
 How well does Mr. Gilmer prove Tom’s guilt in the eyes of the reader and the eye of the jury.
a) Doesn’t have aby
b) He asked what happened – tried to evoke empathy
 Why are they different?
The racism and prejudice of the jury and town.

Heck Tate
- Summoned by Bob
Mayella was badly
beaten on her right
eye, bruised arms
and neck.

She was
beaten All of it

She was
beaten
and
Bob Ewell
Mayella Ewell bruised
- No doctor was
- doesn’t say she was called, Tom
strangled, she tried to Tom
raped Robinson raped
fight Tom off, she invited Mayella.
him for the first time to and beat
do a chore. Mayella
Chapter 21
 What does Jem expect the verdict to be? Does Atticus think the same? What does
this show about their character? (pg 228)
“You think they’ll acquit him that fast?” asked Jem. Atticus opened his mouth to answer, but
shit it and left us. Jem is certain they will win but Atticus knows they will not. This shows
Jem’s innocence at this point in the novel.
 What is unusual about how long it takes the jury to reach a verdict? (pg 230-232)
The verdict should have been easy. The prejudice of the town should have resulted in a
quick guilty verdict. The time taken, and the arguing of the jury looking into the actual
evidence shows improvements in the racial system.
 As Scout waits for the verdict, she thinks of earlier events. What do they show us
about the novels central themes?
She thinks of the Radley place – the prejudice of Boo
Chapter 22
 Although Atticus didn’t want his children in court he defends their right to know
what happened. Explain his reasons? (pg 234-235)
“we have made it this way for them, they might as well learn to cope with it”.
 What is Miss Maudie’s view of the verdict? (pg 238)
Its unusual the jury took so long to give a verdict and declare him guilty. However they took
there time. This shows that the town is making baby steps towards justice.
 Why is Bob Ewell so angry with Atticus? (pg 239) atticus destroys his creadibiltu
and humiliates him in public.

Chapter
23
1. What do you think of Atticus’ reaction to Bob Ewell’s challenge? Should he
have ignored Bob, retaliated or done something else? -239-240
He remains calm and mature and doesn’t engage Bob Ewell n his threats,
Atticus doesn’t react because he believes its an invitation for more
violence.
2. Why does Aunt Alexandra accept that the Cunninghams may be good but
are not “our kind of folks”? -247
She believes that they are a lower social class than they are and therefore,
cannot mix.
3. Compare Jem and Scout’s attitude to the different kinds of folks. -249-250
Jem’s view: “there’s four kinds of folks in the world. There’s the ordinary
kind like use and the neighbours, there’s the kind like the Cunninghams
out in the woods, the kind like the Ewells down at the dump and the
Negroes.”
Scout’s view: “I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks”
Scout accepts everyone as a general category and very naïve towards the
society. Jem however, exemplifies a deeper understanding of the County
via acting more analytical. This links to the loss of Jem’s innocence.
24
 1. Explain briefly how Tom was killed. What is Atticus’ explanation for
Tom’s attempted escape? Do you agree with Atticus? -260
“Tom’s dead”, “they shot him.” Atticus explained the situation and how
Tom “was running…he broke into a blind raving charge at the fence and
started climbing over.” He said the guards called him to stop; they fired a
few shots n the air getting him just as he went over. The guards claimed
that if he had two right hands, he may have made it. “Seventeen bullets in
him” said Atticus claiming that they didn’t have to shoot him that much.
2. How, in this chapter, do we see Aunt Alexandra in a new light? How does
Miss Maudie support her? -261
Alexandra displays her disquiet and concern towards her brother.
“they’re perfectly willing to let him wreck his health doing what they’re
afraid to do”. She initially discusses how the town is relying on Atticus for
justice even if it is tearing him apart inside which Alexandra witnesses.
Maudie replies, providing support via stating “whether Maycomb knows it
or not, we’re paying the highest tribute we can pay a man. We can trust
him to do right. It’s that simple.” She calls Atticus brother.
3. Comment on the repetition of “a handful of people”- 261
Not everyone is as bad as they have appeared to be during the trial. There
are some people like Atticus who are making a change.
25
1. How does Maycomb react to the news of Tom’s death? -265
It excited them for two days. ”In Maycomb, Tom’s death was typical. It
was typical for a nigger to cut and run. Typical for a nigger’s mentality to
have no plan, no thought for the future, just run blind first chance he saw.“
26
1. In her lesson on Hitler, Miss Gates says that “we don’t believe in
persecuting anyone”. What seems odd to the reader about this claim?
-270
“We are a democracy … and here we don’t believe in persecuting anyone.” She
states this whereas; the trial just declared Tom guilty regardless all evidence
proving him innocent. After the trial’s results Miss. Gates told Miss. Stephanie
that it was time the blacks were taught a lesson. “How can you hate Hitler so
band an’ then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home?”
27
1. What three things does Bob Ewell do that alarm Aunt Alexandra? 273-274
- He stalked Helen, maintaining a distance however, crooning foul words to
her.
- Ewell acquired and lost a job in a matter of days. He openly accused
Atticus for getting his job.
- Judge Taylor heard noises outside the house. He saw his screen door
swinging open and the shadow of a figure creeping away.

28
 Why does Jem say Boo Radley must not be home? Why is this ironic? Page
281
29
 What causes the shiny clean line on Scouts costume? Page 296
30
 Why does Heck Tate insist Bob Ewell’s death was self-inflicted? In what
way is this partly true? Page 304
 How does the writer handle the appearance of boo Radley at the end of
the novel? Page 298, 304-306

31
 How do the events of the final chapters explain the first sentence of the
novel?
 Analyse the quote “most people are Scout, when you finally see them.”
Page 309