Name:______________________________________________
Mrs. Daniel Block ________________________________
English 9H
Date:_______________________________________________
TKAM Chapter 12 & 13 Discussion Questions
Chapter 12
1. In Part 2 of the novel, Scout and Jem will experience things that will force them to grow up and
mature. How do Calpurnia’s decision to refer to Jem as “Mister Jem” and Dill’s absence from
Maycomb in this chapter connect with this theme of the journey into adulthood?
2. How are Jem and Scout received when they attend church at First Purchase with Calpurnia?
3. What differences does Scout notice between the congregation of First Purchase and her own
church? What sorts of things about First Purchase really stand out to her?
4. On page 164 Scout says of the Ewells, “Why, Atticus said they were absolute trash-I never heard
Atticus talk about folks the way he talked about the Ewells”. We also got to see a bit of how the
community supports this particular viewpoint back in chapter 5, when Burris Ewell confronted
the teacher and walked out of class. How does this comment/view of the Ewells highlight the
hypocrisy of the townspeople and race relations in Maycomb?
5. On page 167 Calpurnia explains to Scout why she talks and acts differently at First Purchase as
compared to at home with the Finch’s. How does her explanation of these two different sides of
her character demonstrate the racial divide between black and white in Maycomb?
Chapters 12 & 13
In this chapter Aunt Alexandra comes to stay with Scout and Jem. The chapter about Aunt Alexandra
comes immediately after the chapter focused on Calpurnia partially to highlight the difference between
these two feminine influences on Scout’s life. Fill in the chart below with examples/quotations from
chapters 12 & 13 that analyze the differences between these two characters.
Calpurnia
Social Status
How others view
them
Relationship/
Influence
On Scout
Personal
beliefs/Key
personality traits
Other key
differences
Aunt Alexandra