To Kill a MockingbirdReading Questions Chs. 17-19

Directions: Read each of the following reading questions and respond to each using at least one quote from the book. Each of your responses should be at least 3 sentences in length.

Chapter 17
1. What are the main points in Heck Tate's evidence? What does Atticus show in his cross-examination of Sheriff Tate?
2. What do we learn indirectly of the home life of the Ewell family in this chapter?
3. What do you learn from Bob Ewell's evidence?
4. Why does Atticus ask Bob Ewell to write out his name? What does the jury see when he does this?

Chapter 18
5. Is Mayella like her father or different from him? In what ways?
6. What might be the reason for Mayella's crying in the court?
7. How does Mayella react to Atticus's politeness? Is she used to people being polite?
8. How well does Mr. Gilmer prove Tom's guilt in the eyes of the reader (you) and in the eyes of the jury? Can you suggest why these might be different?

Chapter 19
9. What made Tom visit the Ewell's house in the first place?
10. Why does Scout think that Mayella Ewell was “the loneliest person in the world”?
11. In your own words explain Mayella's relationship with her father.
12. How does Dill react to this part of the trial? Why is this, in your opinion?

Chapter 20
13. Scout says that “Mr. Dolphus Raymond was an evil man”. Is she right?
14. In most states of the USA people who drink alcohol in public places are required to hide their bottle in a paper bag. Why does Dolphus Raymond hide Coca-Cola in a bag?
15. What, according to Atticus, is the thing that Mayella has done wrong?
16. Explain, in your own words, Atticus's views on people's being equal.

To Kill a Mockingbird Reading Questions-Chs. 13-16

Directions: Read each of the following reading questions and respond to each using at least one quote from the book. Each of your responses should be at least 3 sentences in length.

Chapter 13
1. Why does Aunt Alexandra come to stay with Atticus and his family? What is she like?
2. Read the first two things Alexandra says when she comes to the Finch house. Are these typical of her or not?
3. Alexandra thinks Scout is “dull” (not clever). Why does she think this, and is she right? Are all adults good at knowing how clever young people are?
4. Comment on Aunt Alexandra's ideas about breeding and family. Why does Atticus tell them to forget it? Who is right, do you think?

Chapter 14
5. Comment on Atticus's explanation of rape. How suitable is this as an answer to Scout.
6. Why does Alexandra think Atticus should dismiss Calpurnia? How does Atticus respond to the suggestion?
7. Why is Scout pleased when Jem fights her back? Why is she less pleased when he tells Atticus about Dill?

Chapter 15
8. What is the “nightmare” that now descends upon the children?
9. What was (and is) the Ku Klux Klan? What do you think of Atticus's comment about it?
10. How does Jem react when Atticus tells him to go home, and why?
11. What persuades the lynching-party to give up their attempt on Tom's life?
12. Comment on the way Scout affects events without realizing it at the time.

Chapter 16
13. What “subtle change” does Scout notice in her father?
14. How does Reverend Sykes help the children see and hear the trial? Is he right to do so?
15. Comment on Judge Taylor's attitude to his job. Does he take the trial seriously or not?