ENGL 51: Eleventh Grade English 1 Portfolio Assignment 13.2 Chapter Questions To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 25–31 Name: ____________________________________________________ Date: _____________________________________________________ Course Access Code: ________________________________________ Chapter 25: Summary Accompanied by Calpurnia, Atticus visits Helen Robinson with the news of Tom’s death. The incident is retold by Jem who, along with Dill, came along with Atticus by coincidence when they ran into him while walking home from swimming. Maycomb’s gossip begins to spread and Mr. Underwood prints an editorial in the The Montgomery Advertiser likening Tom’s death to killing a mockingbird. Ewell makes another threat, and Jem tells Scout not to tell Atticus. Chapter 25: Questions 1. How does Maycomb react to the news of Tom’s death? 2. What is your observation of the concept of Tom’s death being “typical”? 3. Explain the contrast Scout draws between the open, legal court where Tom was tried and “the secret courts of men’s hearts.” In what way are hearts like courts? 4. Why do you think Jem does not want Scout to tell Atticus about Bob Ewell’s comment? Was this a wise thing to ask her to do? Chapter 26: Summary School begins again, and the children begin their routines. Scout still wishes to see Boo. Cecil Jacobs in Scout’s class brings a current events article about Hitler’s persecution of the Jews in Europe. Scout’s teacher, Miss Gates, uses the opportunity to teach the class about the virtues of democracy and how persecution and prejudice cannot thrive in it. Later that day, Scout reveals that Miss Gates was equally persecutory and prejudicial towards the black community after Tom Robinson’s case was tried. Chapter 26: Questions 1. In her lesson on Hitler, Miss Gates says that “we [American people] don’t believe in persecuting anyone.” How is this statement an example of irony? 2. Why is Scout puzzled by Miss Gates’ disapproval of Hitler? 3. Why does Scout’s question upset Jem? How would you respond to Scout’s question: “How can you hate Hitler an’ then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home?” Chapter 27: Summary In mid-October, Bob Ewell is unemployed and leaves a hate note at the judge’s home. Helen gets a job with Link Deas and must walk around the Ewells’ house to avoid rocks being thrown at her. After Deas intervenes, Ewell stalks Helen and says profanities. Atticus knows that few people believe that Tom actually assaulted Mayella. Scout prepares for a part in the school Halloween pageant. Chapter27: Questions 1. What three things does Bob Ewell do that alarm Aunt Alexandra? 2. Why, according to Atticus, does Bob Ewell bear a grudge? Which people does Ewell see as his enemies, and why? 3. What was the purpose of the Halloween pageant? What practical joke had persuaded the grown-ups to have an organized event? Chapter 28: Summary On Halloween night, Ewell accosts Jem as he leads Scout dressed in her pageant costume. In the dark school yard, an unidentified rescuer saves the children and stabs Ewell with a kitchen knife. Jem is carried home, and his broken arm is treated. Chapter 28: Questions 1. Why does Jem say that Boo Radley must not be at home? What is ironic about this? (Is it true? Does he really mean it? Why might it be important for him and Scout that Boo should not be at home?) 2. Scout decides to keep her costume on while walking home. How does this affect her understanding of what happens on the way? 3. Why had Atticus not brought a chair for the man in the corner? Who might this stranger be? Chapter 29–30: Summary Atticus discusses the attack on Scout with Tate and Boo Radley appears at Jem’s bedside. The sheriff realizes Boo’s role in the defense of the children and chooses to label the incident as an accident; Ewell fell on his own knife. Chapter 29–30: Questions 1. What explanation does Atticus give for Bob Ewell’s attack? What does Heck Tate give as the reason for the attack? 2. Do you think the sheriff’s explanation or Atticus’s is more likely to be true? 3. Who does Atticus think caused Bob Ewell’s death? 4. Why does Heck Tate insist that Bob Ewell’s death was self-inflicted? In what way is this partly true? 5. Is Heck Tate right to spare Boo the publicity of an inquest? Give reasons for your answer. Lesson 31: Summary Scout’s curiosity about Boo Radley is finally satisfied, and she is able to escort him home. She is satisfied that Jem will be fine in the morning. Atticus assures her that “Most people are [nice] … when you finally see them.” Chapter 31: Questions 1. How do the events of the final chapters explain the first sentence in the whole novel? 2. How does Scout make sense of an earlier remark of Atticus’s in regards to standing in someone’s shoes as she stands on the Radley porch? 3. 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? How and where? 4. At the end of the novel, Atticus reads to Scout. Comment on his choice of story. Does it have any connection with themes earlier in the novel and in its ending? ENGL 51: Eleventh Grade English 1 Portfolio Assignment 14.3 Chapter Questions To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 17–24 Name: ____________________________________________________ Date: _____________________________________________________ Confirmation Number: ________________________________________ Chapter 17: Summary Atticus cross-examines Bob Ewell on the stand. Ewell’s testimony is discredited before the jury. First, Atticus draws attention to his failing to summon a doctor to tend to his daughter’s injuries, and second, Atticus shows the jury Bob Ewell’s left-handedness. Chapter 17: Questions 1. What are the main points in Heck Tate’s evidence? What does Atticus show in his crossexamination of Sheriff Tate? 2. What do we learn indirectly about the home life of the Ewell family in this chapter? 3. What do you learn from Bob Ewell’s evidence? Chapter 18: Summary Mayella testifies about the assault and is cross-examined by Atticus. Atticus has Tom stand in order to display his disability. Scout is afraid that Mr. Underwood will tell Atticus that she, Scout, and Dill are attending the trial. Chapter 18: Questions 1. How is Mayella like her father? How is she different from him? 2. Why do you think Mayella begins to cry in the court? 3. How does Mayella react to Atticus’s politeness? Why does she react this way? Chapter 19: Summary Tom Robinson testifies in his own defense. During his cross-examination, Dill begins to cry and Scout takes him out of court with Jem. They take him to sit out by a shade tree and observe other court watchers where they meet the fascinating Mr. Dolphous Raymond. Chapter19: Questions 1. What made Tom visit the Ewells’ house in the first place? 2. Why do you think Scout observes Mayella Ewell as being “the loneliest person in the world”? 3. Why do you think Dill reacts to Tom Robinson’s cross-examination in such a way? Chapter 20: Summary Dolphus Raymond helps Dill feel better by offering him Coca-Cola and praising Atticus. He also gives the children some general observations about life. Upon returning to the courtroom, the children find Atticus in the middle of his closing arguments to the jury. Feeling quite pleased with themselves for having seen the trial when they were not supposed to, the children notice Calpurnia enter the courtroom as Atticus finishes they and see that she has a note for Atticus. Chapter 20: Questions 1. Ironically, Scout had been told that “Mr. Dolphus Raymond was an evil man.” Was that information accurate? 2. Why does Dolphus Raymond hide Coca-Cola in a bag? 3. In your own words, explain Atticus’s views on the equality of people. Chapter 21: Summary The children are caught in the balcony, and Atticus sends them home. An hour after dinner, they return and wait until after 11:00 that evening, when the jury returns with a verdict. As Atticus departs the courtroom, black members of the balcony audience respectfully stand. Chapter 21: Questions 1. What does Jem expect the verdict to be? Does Atticus think the same thing? 2. What is unusual about how long it takes the jury to reach a verdict? Is the verdict predictable or not? 3. As Scout waits for the verdict, she thinks of earlier events. What are these events, and how do they remind us of the novel’s central themes? Lesson 22: Summary Atticus defends the children’s right to observe the tensions in the community and courtroom. The next morning, Calpurnia discovers that grateful members of the black community have placed gifts of food on the Finch’s porch. Miss Maudie champions Atticus’s Christian deed when Jem feels despondent. Neighbors warn the children that Bob Ewell spat in their father’s face earlier that morning at the post office and threatened him. Chapter 22: Questions 1. Although Atticus did not want his children in court, he defends Jem’s right to know what has happened. In your own words, explain Atticus’s reasons for this. 2. Miss Maudie tells Jem that “things are never as bad as they seem.” What reasons does she give for this view? 3. Why does Dill say that he will be a clown when he grows up? Why is this statement both sad and true about human nature? Chapter 23: Summary Jem worries about the threat; Aunt Alexandra fears a sneaky retribution. Late in the summer, Tom goes to Enfield Prison Farm. Atticus is encouraged by how long the jury stayed out for deliberation and is glad he accepted Cunningham on the panel. Lesson 23: Questions 1. What is your opinion of Atticus’s reaction to Bob Ewell’s challenge? Should he have ignored Bob, retaliated, or done something else? 2. What is “circumstantial evidence”? How does it pertain to Tom’s conviction? 3. What does Atticus tell Scout about why the jury took so long to convict Tom? 4. 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? In your opinion, how likely is it to be true? Lesson 24: Summary Late in August at Alexandra’s missionary circle, Scout helps Calpurnia serve charlotte and tarts. Atticus arrives home to tell Calpurnia that Tom (discouraged by the trial) attempted to escape from the prison farm and was shot to death by the white guards. Alexandra admires Atticus for his character and regrets his sufferings. Lesson24: Questions 1. Compare the reaction of Miss Maudie with the other ladies’ reactions when Scout says she is wearing her “britches” under her dress. 2. What is Atticus’s explanation for Tom’s attempted escape? Do you agree with Atticus? 3. In this chapter, how do we see Aunt Alexandra in a new light? How does Miss Maudie support her? ENGL 51: Eleventh Grade English 1 Portfolio Assignment 10.2 Chapter Questions To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 9–16 Name: ____________________________________________________ Date: _____________________________________________________ Confirmation Number: ________________________________________ Chapter 9–10: Summary Atticus is assigned the case of Tom Robinson, a 25-year-old black man accused of assaulting 19-year-old Mayella Ewell. The Ewells are a poor white family of nine, living in the town dump. Scout’s cousin, Francis, slanders Atticus for defending Tom and Scout beats Francis, but won’t tell Atticus what Francis said. Uncle Jack comes to Atticus’s house, where Atticus confides that the court case is unfavorable for his client. Jem is given an air rifle for Christmas and Atticus tells him it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. A neighbor’s dog appears rabid and Atticus must shoot him with one shot. The children learn Atticus was once known for his shooting abilities. Chapter 9–10: Questions 1. How well does Atticus feel he should defend Tom Robinson? Is it usual for (white) lawyers to do their best for black clients in Alabama at this time? 2. Scout and Jem have “mixed feelings” about Christmas. What are these feelings and why? 3. When Francis talks to Scout, he reveals an unpleasant feature of Aunt Alexandra. What is this feature? 4. Read the final sentence of chapter 9. Explain in your own words what it means and why it might be important in terms of how Atticus hopes to raise his children.. 5. In chapter 10 Atticus tells his children that “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” What reason does he give for saying this? 6. Why does Heck Tate not want to shoot Tim Johnson? 7. Jem and Scout have different views about telling people at school how well Atticus can shoot. Explain this difference. Chapter 11: Summary Jem cuts the tops off of Mrs. Dubose’s camellia bushes in revenge after she ridicules Atticus. As a punishment, he is to read to her six afternoons a week after school for a month. A month after he completes his punishment, Mrs. Dubose dies and Atticus tells Jem about her morphine addiction and her desire to overcome it. Atticus admires her courage in defeating the addiction. 1. How does Atticus advise Jem to react to Mrs. Dubose’s taunts? 2. What does Mrs. Dubose say about the children’s mother? How does Jem feel about this? 3. What request does Mrs. Dubose make of Jem? Is this a fair punishment for his “crime”? 4. Explain in your own words what Atticus thinks of insults like “nigger-lover.” Do you agree with him? Why or why not? 5. Why, in Atticus’s view, was Mrs. Dubose “a great lady”? Chapter 12–14: Summary Calpurnia takes the children to her Sunday services at First Purchase, where the children are, for the most part, warmly welcomed. Scout marvels at the differences in Calpurnia’s church and her own. Reverend Sykes collects money for Tom’s family. When they return home, they find Aunt Alexandra waiting, much to Scout’s dismay, as Aunt Alexandra is determined to turn Scout into a proper young lady. Aunt Alexandra immediately institutes changes and tries to instill respect for the family history of the Finches. Aunt Alexandra advises Atticus to fire Calpurnia, but she goes too far with this advice. Atticus insists that the children love Calpurnia. It is discovered that Dill had run away and has sought refuge with the Finches. 1. Explain why Calpurnia speaks differently in the Finch household than she speaks among her neighbors at church. 2. Why does Aunt Alexandra come to stay with Atticus and his family? What is she like? 3. Read the first two things Alexandra says when she comes to the Finch house. Do these seem typical of her or not? 4. Comment on Aunt Alexandra’s ideas about breeding and family. Why does Atticus tell them to forget these ideas? 5. Comment on Atticus’s explanation of rape. How suitable is this as an answer to Scout? 6. Why is Scout pleased when Jem fights her back? Why is she displeased when he tells Atticus about Dill? Chapter 15: Summary Tensions mount in the community during the days before the trial. Sheriff Heck Tate summons Atticus to stop a mob at the jail. Armed only with a light, Atticus confronts a mob intent on lynching Tom Robinson. Scout, Jem, and Dill sneak out to see what is going on and watch Atticus face the mob. Thinking these were all men she knew and not realizing the danger, Scout runs to Atticus to be with him. She only recognizes Mr. Cunningham, who is Walter’s father. Scout shames the mob by asking Mr. Cunningham how Walter is doing and how his entailment is coming along. She reminds him Atticus said they would get through it together. 1. What is the “nightmare” that descends upon the children? 2. How does Jem react when Atticus tells him to go home, and why? 3. What persuades the lynching party to give up their attempt on Tom’s life? 4. Comment on the way Scout effects events without realizing it at the time. 5. Describe Scout’s behavior in the setting mentioned above. Chapter 16: Summary The trial draws heavy attendance, including Jem, Scout, and Dill, who sneak in. They find seats in the segregated balcony section. By the time they are seated, Judge John Taylor is presiding, and Sheriff Heck Tate takes the stand. The trial begins. 1. What “subtle change” does Scout notice in her father? 2. What sort of person is Dolphus Raymond? 3. How does Reverend Sykes help the children see and hear the trial? Is he right to do so? 4. Comment on Judge Taylor’s attitude to his job. Does he take the trial seriously or not? 5. Where do Jem, Scout, and Dill sit in the courthouse? Why is this significant?