To Kill a Mockingbird ch. 9-11
1. What promise does Scout break that she had made to Atticus? How was it broken?
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2. This is the first mention of Atticus’ defense of Tom Robinson. Scout asks why. What is
Atticus’ reasoning for defending Tom Robinson? What does he mean when he says,
“Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us
not to try to win”? This speaks to a major theme in the novel. What is it?
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3. What lesson does Scout teach Uncle Jack about children and what further lesson does
Atticus add?
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4. Why is Jem ashamed of Atticus? How does Atticus redeem himself (in the incident with
the dog?)
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5. What does Atticus mean when he says, “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird”? Predict how
this idea will become a major theme in the novel? Who are the metaphorical
“mockingbirds” in the story?
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6. Describe the situation with the mad dog. How does this change the children’s
perception of Atticus?
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7. Jem cuts the tops off of Mrs. Dubose’s Camilla plants. Why?
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8. Atticus explains to the children why he considered Mrs. Dubose to be a “great lady” and
a brave person. How is this symbolically relevant to why he is defending Tom
Robinson?
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9. Reread the paragraph beginning, “She was. She had her own views….” What theme
does Harper Lee present here? How?
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