tkamb study guide

8/8/2019 TKAMB Study Guide

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DePalo Eng. 10

To Kill A Mockingbird Study Guide

A. Running Journal

Throughout your reading of the novel, keel a separate section/journal in which you record

the following for each chapter:

Document one significant quote in each chapter of each volume of the novel thatyou feel best illustrates a characters personality (an emotional, intellectual, behavioral

aspect) to analyze the kind of person he/she is through the experiences narrated. *You donot have to choose quotes referring to the same character each time, as each section of the

novel does not follow just one character. Be sure to document who is speaking, about

whom, the page number and a brief explanation of the quote and how it directly orindirectly characterizes the character.

B. Chapter Questions

For each of the chapters in the novel, provide a comprehensive answer to the following

questions you may want to refer to pages in the novel and specific examples thatsupport your answers.

Part I

Chapter 1:1. What similarities are there between Maycomb and Hillsboro?

2. What indications in the chapter suggest racial inequality within the town?

3. Give your own opinion of the character of Boo Radley based on how others describehim physically and behaviorally.

Chapter 2:

1. Why do you think Miss Caroline has such a problem with Scout?2. What other inequality is shown in this chapter and how does Atticus respond to it?

Chapter 3:1. How is Jem like his father?

2. What lesson does Calpurnia try to teach Scout during lunch?

3. What lesson is Atticus trying to teach Scout about handling Miss Caroline and whoelse does it apply to in the story so far?

Chapter 4:1. Who do you think put the gum and pennies in the tree and why?

2. Why do you think Atticus doesnt want the children playing their game about the

Radleys and what morals/values is he trying to instill in the children in prohibiting themfrom acting out the play?

Chapter 5:

1. According to miss Maudie, what do you think she means when she says, sometimesthe Bible in one hand is worse than a whiskey bottle in the hand of a man (45)?

2. What would Miss Maudie think of the town of Hillsboro?

3. What human right does Atticus try to explain to the children about Boo Radley stayinginside?


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Chapter 6:

1. What kind of relationship do Jem and his father have and how can you tell?

Chapter 7:

1. How is Nathans plugging of the knot hole symbolic?2. Why is Jem crying?

Chapter 8:

1. What is Jem concerned about saving from the fire and how is it a testament to hischaracter?

2. What lesson is Miss Maudie showing the children regarding her reaction to the loss of

her home?

Chapter 9:

1. Simply put, what is Atticus claiming hed be (one word) if he didnt defend TomRobinson?

2. What does Scout end up teaching Uncle Jack about dealing with children?

3. What kind of parenting skills does Atticus exhibit in his philosophies of raising hischildren? Do you think he is a good father Explain?

4. What is Maycombs disease that Atticus speaks of?

Chapter 10:1. Why is it a sin to kill a Mockingbird and how might this declaration be a lesson in

disguise?

2. Why is Scout so intent on finding something impressive about her father? Why is itso important for her to learn this quality or accomplishment?

Chapter 11:

1. How is Atticus similar to Bert Cates? Explain in detail.2. What does Scout learn about the term nigger-lover? How in your own words

does Atticus explain it to her?

3. What is Jem supposed to learn about life from Mrs. Dubose?

Part II

Chapter 12:1. How does Calpurnia show she isnt prejudiced at church?

2. How is the banner at Cals church different from the banner that ws hanging outsie the

Hillsboro courtroom?3. Do you agree with Cals explanation on p. 126 as to why she talks differently around

church? Do you think that she could never change people?

Chapter 13:

1. According to Aunt Alexandra, everyone in Maycomb had a streak. Based on her

character, what streak does she have and why?

2. How are Atticus and his sister different?

Chapter 14:

1. Why do you think Boo stays in the house?


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Chapter 15:

1. How does Scout unknowingly save her father and Tom?

Chapter 16:

1. What is Atticus take on mobs and mob mentality?

2. How is the preparation for the trial in town similar to pre-trial in Hillsboro?

Chapter 17:

1. What is ironic about where the Ewells live? Comparatively, what does it look like?2. How does Mr. Ewells testimony compare to Bradleys?

3. How does Atticus cross-examining similar to Drummonds?

Chapter 18:

1. What description of Mayella hints to the reader that she is being dishonest and sneaky

with her version of the events?

Chapter 19:

1. How does Toms struggle to swear on the Bible help his case?2. How is Tom in a catch -22 (no-win-situation) while being questioned by the

prosecutor?

Chapter 20:1. Why do you think Atticus says that cheating a colored man is 10 times worse than

cheating a white man?

2. What stereotypes about black people does Atticus expose when speaking to the jury?

Chapter 21:

1. Although the verdict comes back as guilty, what sign is there that the jury may not

fully believe in that decision and if some dont, why convict him?

Chapter 22:

1. Why, according to Atticus, do you think that only children weep when an injustice isdone?

Chapter 23:1. Answer Jems question on page 227: If theres just one kind of folks, why cant they

get along with each other? Why isnt being human enough?

Chapter 24:

1. Figuratively, why do you think Tom had to die in the novel?

Chapter 25:

1. Symbolically, what does Jems reasoning for not allowing Scout to mash the bug

represent in the novel?

2. How does Mr. Underwoods editorial relate to the title of the novel?

Chapter 26:

1. What is ironic about Cecil Jacobs current event and the following lesson ondemocracy from the teacher?


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2. What does Jems reaction to Scout at the end of the chapter show about his character?

Chapter 27:1. What do you think happened to Judge Taylor and why?

Chapter 28:1. What elements in this chapter foreshadow the pending event with Bob Ewell?

2. Who do you think killed Ewell and why?Chapter 29:

1. Why do you think the author uses the color white to describe Boo? What might thecolor symbolize?

2. Why is Scout crying?

Chapter 30:

1. Why is Mr. Tate insisting that Ewell fell on his knife? Is that even Bobs knife?

2. What does Scout mean when she compares the explanation of incriminating Ewell inhis own death to shooting a mockingbird?

Chapter 31:1. Why is Scout flashing back on page 279 and from what perspective is she

remembering?

2. How is Boo different when Scout finally sees him?

THE END

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