TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD – STUDY GUIDE
I
1.
"Atticus said no, it wasn't that sort of thing, that there were other ways of making
people into ghosts." What did Atticus mean by this remark?
II
2.
Can anything be said in defense of Miss Caroline Fisher, the new teacher? What
were the reasons for her difficulties?
III
3.
Briefly describe the appearance of Dill, Calpurnia and Miss Fisher.
IV
4.
Why was Scout afraid to play the Boo Radley game?
5.
How has this chapter contributed to our picture of life in Maycomb?
6.
"But while no one with a grain of sense trusted Miss Stephanie, Jem and
I had considerable faith in Miss Maudie." What is there in the character of
each of these ladies to justify the children's attitudes?
7.
Although Atticus is a stern disciplinarian, the children are essentially happy
about his discipline. Why?
VI
8.
"It was then I suppose that Jem and I first started to part company." What
had brought Scout to this decision? How did she feel about it?
VIII
9.
Is the fire at Miss Maudie's important to the plot? Why or why not?
IX
10.
What is it about Scout that Aunt Alexandra disapproves of? What does Scout
dislike about Aunt Alexandra?
X
11.
“’Take him, Mr. Finch.’ Mr. Tate handed the rifle to Atticus; Jem and I
nearly fainted.”
a) What does the Tim Johnson affair tell you about Atticus’ nature?
b) How does this incident cause his children's attitudes to change?
XI
12.
What is your attitude toward Mrs. Dubose? Do you agree with Atticus that she
was a courageous lady?
13.
Can you justify Atticus' mild defense of Mrs. Dubose's violent prejudice?
Is this defense consistent with his character?
XIII
14.
Describe and justify your attitude toward Aunt Alexandra.
XIV
15.
Most readers find Dill amusing and yet feel sorry for him. What are your
feelings toward him?
XV
16.
V
What emotions lead Mr Cunningham and his lynching party to give up and go
away?
XVI
17.
XVII 18.
19.
"The court appointed Atticus to defend him. Atticus aimed to defend him.
That's what they didn't like about it. It was confusing." Why?
Why was Atticus particularly pleased by Mr. Tate's testimony?
Examine closely Atticus' questioning of Mr. Ewell and try to explain the
psychology Atticus used.
XVIII 20.
"Somehow Atticus had hit her hard in a way that was not clear to me, but
it gave him no pleasure to do so." Explain the implications of both parts of this
sentence.
XIX
21.
Why is Tom Robinson's statement, "I felt right sorry for her", a serious
mistake?
XX
22.
There are several surprising qualities about Mr. Dolphus Raymond. Is
there evidence that he understands human beings well and that he is kind?
XXII 23.
Miss Maudie tells Jem, "As I waited I thought, Atticus Finch won't win, he
can't win but... we're making a step." What does she mean by this statement?
XXIII 24.
Does Aunt Alexandra seem to be becoming less objectionable? If so, why?
XXVI 25.
Why does Miss Gates feel so strongly about Hitler's persecution of the
Jews, and yet is herself violently prejudiced against Negroes?
XXVIII - XXXI
26.
Why did Atticus agree to let Mr. Heck Tate's story of Ewell's death stand?
Was he right to do so?
27.
"We never put back into the tree what we took out of it: we had given him nothing
and it made me sad." Is Scout right?
Style Questions:
1.
How successful is the writer in arousing interest, telling us what we need to
know, and in setting a tone for the novel in the first five paragraphs?
2.
What details give the visit to First Purchase Church life and humour?
3.
In the total structure of the book, what is the value of chapter xxiii?