To Kill a Mockingbird
Chapters 26- 31 Reading Guide Answers
Chapter 26
1. Scout is growing up. Explain her feelings now about:
a.. their former cruel games concerning Boo Radley
She now feels somewhat remorseful for their tormenting him.
b. her remaining desire to see Boo in person
She still imagines that someday she’ll meet him and they will speak to each other as if
they’ve known each other for a long time.
c. Atticus’ apparent knowledge of their previous activities
Atticus reveals that he knows about their games all along.
d. “Current Events”
It’s a good idea, but Scout thinks it’s not practical in Maycomb County since the children
have few newspapers and little concept of what a current event was.
2. What is the irony of Miss Gates’ lecture on democracy when compared to her
comments at the trial?
Miss Gates says that we do not believe in persecuting anyone in America; she states
persecution only comes from people who are prejudiced. After the trial Scout had heard
Miss Gates say, “It’s time somebody taught’em (Negroes) a lesson.” She is a hypocrite.
3. When Scout tries to tell Jem about Miss Gates, why does he react so violently?
Explain Atticus’ answer to her about this.
Jem was totally disillusioned by the outcome of the trial and is still trying to come to
terms with what it showed him about people. He’s still too angry and trying to sort things
out. Atticus understands this and knows that Jen will realize that some progress has been
made.
Chapter 27
1. What were the three threatening things that had happened in Maycomb by the
middle of October? How do the methods of each event or occurrence tell you
about the kind of man Bob Ewell is?
Bob Ewell was fired from the WPA and blames Atticus, Judge Taylor’s house is
threatened by a would-be burglar, and Helen Robinson is threatened by Bob Ewell. All
three incidents point to Bob Ewell as a sneaking, conniving, cowardly person trying to
get even.
2. Why do Atticus and Aunt Alexandra not intend to go to the Halloween pageant?
Atticus had come home late from being in Montgomery for a week, and Aunt Alexandra
was tired from decorating the stage for the pageant.
Chapter 28
1. What does Cecil Jacobs do before the pageant which helps set up the incidents
which occur after the pageant?
Cecil frightens Jem and Scout before the pageant by jumping out at them in the dark.
2. What things do Jem and Scout think the noise might be?
The noise was first assumed to be Scout’s costume rustling, then Cecil Jacobs.
3. How many people are finally involved in the skirmish under the tree?
Four people: Jem, Scout, Bob Ewell, and Boo Radley
Chapter 29
1. Who saved Jem and Scout?
Boo Radley saved Jem and Scout.
2. Atticus and Heck Tate disagree over the essential worth of Bob Ewell. Whom do
you agree with and why?
Answers will vary. Atticus wants to do the “lawfully right” thing. Heck does not.
3. Briefly describe the meeting between Scout and Boo. How does this compare to
how she imagined the meeting would be?
At first Scout was embarrassed when she met Boo; then her fantasy comes alive again
and she takes him to the porch and tries to make him feel comfortable.
Chapter 30
1. There seems to be an immediate understanding between Scout and Boo. Why do
you think this is so.
Boo and Scout seem to know each other- Boo from watching “his” children, and Scout
from her fantasy and preoccupation about him.
2. Atticus and Heck Tate have a heated argument. Does either of them really
believe what he is saying?
Heck Tate is willing to perpetuate the idea that Bob Ewell fell on his knife, while Atticus
does not want to “hush up” the truth. As sferiff Heck Tate makes the decision not to drag
Boo into the limelight.
3. How does Scout assure Atticus that Mr. Tate is right?
She says it would be sort of like “shootin’ a mockingbird…”
Chapter 31
1. When she takes Boo home, Scout understands many things now as she sees the
street from this new point of view. Explain some of the things she “sees” now.
Scout saw the events of the past year through Boo Radley’s eyes, and she felt she
understood him at last.
2. Describe the feelings you experienced as you read the closing scene.
Answers will vary. You may have felt you arrived at some sort of destination, Jem’s
broken arm, mentioned in the very first paragraphs of the novel now explained fully.