12/9/2013 To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 23-31 study guide What is Atticus’ response when Bob Ewell asks him if he’s too proud to fight? No, too old What of Bob Ewell’s does Atticus say he destroyed at the trial? Atticus says he destroyed his last shred of credibility Why, according to Atticus, can’t Southern juries be fair if they tried? Because in Southern courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins What does Aunt Alexandra call Walter Cunningham that angers Scout? And why won’t Alexandra allow Scout to play with Walter? Atticus says one type of person is trash. Who is this and why? A white man who cheats a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from How do Atticus’ and Aunt Alexandra’s opinions differ when it comes to what kind of people are trash? As for Atticus, he believes that anyone – no She calls him trash Because Walter’s family is not of the same social status as the Finches The jury was made up of white men from outside Maycomb. What groups are missing from the jury? matter their social status – is trash if he cheats a black man The jury includes no women, no black men and no residents of Maycomb How is Scout dressed for the missionary society’s meeting, and how does she feel while in the presence of the ladies? In her Sunday dress, shoes and petticoat She’s nervous; she feels out of place As for Alexandra, she believes that anyone who is not of the Finches’ social status is trash 1 12/9/2013 Why does Scout prefer the company of men over women? Because, she believes, men aren’t hypocrites Atticus interrupts the meeting to tell Alexandra and Maudie what? That Tom Robinson is dead How did Tom Robinson die? He was shot 17 times while trying to climb over the prison fence Why does Jem order Scout not to kill the roly-poly? Because the roly-poly doesn’t hurt anything (this reinforces the Mockingbird theme) To what does Mr. Underwood compare Tom Robinson, and how does this relate to one of the book’s major themes? He compares Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of a songbird What current event does Cecil Jacobs discuss? Adolf Hitler and Germany’s persecution of the Jews He was a cripple, and innocent, and he was only trying to help Mayella, yet he died through no fault of his own How does Scout define democracy? “Equal rights for all, special privileges for none” What had Scout heard Miss Gates say on the courthouse steps? Why are the comments she made in the classroom about Hitler ironic? That the trial had taught the blacks a lesson, that they were getting way above themselves and next they’ll think they can marry white people What does Link Deas threaten to do to Bob Ewell? Have him arrested if he bothers Helen Robinson again Because Miss Gates believes it is wrong for Hitler to persecute the Jews, yet she sees nothing wrong with persecuting Southern blacks 2 12/9/2013 Why does Atticus say Mr. Ewell harbors a grudge? He says Bob Ewell thought he’d be a hero, but instead, nobody believed his and Mayella’s story What happens to Scout at the pageant that embarrasses Mrs. Merriweather? What is Scout’s costume for the pageant? And on what night of the year is the pageant? A ham Cecil Jacobs Halloween night What does Aunt Alexandra bring to Scout to put on after getting her out of the ham costume? She falls asleep inside her costume and forgets to come out on stage when she is cued Who frightens the children on the way to the auditorium? What injury does Jem suffer in the attack? A broken arm Her overalls, because she knows it will comfort her. Normally, Alexandra would insist she dress more like a lady Who does Sheriff Tate find has been killed in the struggle, and how did he die? Bob Ewell He was stabbed in the chest Who brings Jem into the house? Boo Radley What is Mr. Tate’s response to Atticus’ comment that he couldn’t conceive of a man like Bob Ewell, and why can’t he conceive of a person like that? Heck Tate says Bob Ewell was the kind of man who wasn’t worth the bullet it took to shoot him. Atticus can’t conceive of a man like this because he believes everyone has something good about them 3 12/9/2013 What does Sheriff Tate say had happened to Bob Ewell? How did Bob Ewell really die? He fell on his own knife Whom is Mr. Tate referring to when he gets angry with Atticus and says, “I’m not thinking of Jem”? Boo Radley He was stabbed and killed by Boo Radley Why does Sheriff Tate say Bob Ewell’s death happened the way it did? He knows Boo won’t be able to handle the publicity that will surely come his way if word gets out that he saved the Finch children by killing Bob Ewell In a sense, it would be like killing a mockingbird For what does Atticus thank Boo? For his children What does Boo say to Scout? “Will you take me home?” Why does Scout walk Arthur to his home? Because he asked her to do so What makes Scout sad in thinking back on all the gifts Boo had given to him? Because they had given him nothing in return Why does Scout ask Boo to take her arm? So if Miss Stephanie Crawford is looking out her window, she’ll see a gentleman escorting a lady What does Atticus say most people are like when you finally see them? They are nice 4