YOU WERE LOOKING FOR: To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter 15 Questions And Answers
Chapter 18 Questions and Answers What do Atticus, Heck Tate, and the men gathered on the Finch lawn discuss? Atticus did not reprimand Jem for disobeying his instructions to go home. Why not? What do we learn about Dolphus Raymond? What did the men...
Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapters Summary As Scout innocently recounts her trip to Calpurnia's church for Atticus, Aunt Alexandra is mortified and vehemently refuses Scout's request to go to Calpurnia's house. With Scout out of the room, she...
They find Atticus sitting outside Tom Robinson's cell and turn to head home when a group of men arrive to confront Atticus. Not realizing the danger of the situation, Scout runs into the middle of the mob. After a few tense moments, she begins a conversation with Walter Cunningham's father, which causes the men to retreat, and very likely saves Atticus' life. The next morning, the day the trial is set to begin, Atticus and Scout talk about mob mentality, and, over Aunt Alexandra's protests, he thanks the children for appearing when they did. He asks the children to stay away from the courthouse during the trial, but by noon, their curiosity has the better of them, and they, along with Dill, head for the courthouse where the trial is about to get under way. They can't find a seat in the courtroom, so Reverend Skyes offers them seats in "the Colored balcony," which they gladly accept.
Finally, readers are introduced to Judge Taylor, who the children earlier discovered — much to their surprise — appointed Atticus to defend Tom Robinson. Analysis In these chapters, prejudice comes to the forefront in numerous ways. Aunt Alexandra refuses to allow Scout to visit Calpurnia because young white girls don't spend time in black people's neighborhoods, and definitely not inside their houses.
Aunt Alexandra chastises him for remarking that Mr. Underwood "despises Negroes" in front of Calpurnia. But characteristically, Atticus responds, "'Anything fit to say at the table's fit to say in front of Calpurnia. While Alexandra worries about appearances, Atticus constantly reminds her of reality. In the American South during the s, segregation was not only the norm, it was the law. Blacks were given special places to sit, they often used separate entrances, and they used separate restrooms and drinking fountains.
The fact that blacks can't sit on the main floor of the courtroom or that they have to let all the white people into the courthouse before they can begin going in themselves, is an accurate description of what would've happened at such a trial. When Reverend Skyes offers the children a seat in the "Colored balcony," they happily and naively accept. They have no idea that they're breaking a cultural taboo. Many whites would miss the trial before they would sit amongst people of another race.
Ironically, Scout feels like they have a better view from the balcony than they would from the floor — unfortunately, what they're going to see won't be pretty. Significant, too, is that four black people rose to give the minister and three white children their front-row seats. Some would argue that they gave up their seats out of respect for Reverend Skyes; others may say that they gave up their seats out of respect for Atticus.
In truth, they would be expected to give up their seats for any white person who wanted them. Lee introduces an interesting discussion of what makes a person a member of one race or another through the character of Dolphus Raymond — a white man, rumored to be a drunkard, with biracial children. Worse than being black is being "mixed. Colored folks won't have 'em because they're half white; white folks won't have 'em 'cause they're colored, so they're just in-betweens, don't belong anywhere. Jem has discussed this topic with Uncle Jack, who says that they may have some black ancestors several generations back. Somewhat relieved, Scout determines that after so many generations, race doesn't count, but Jem says, "'around here once you have one drop of Negro blood, that makes you all black.
The importance of place again comes to light in these chapters. As the children watch the town heading for the courthouse, "Jem gave Dill the histories and general attitudes of the more prominent figures. What they take for granted is news to Dill, which forces them to look at their town in a different light. Place is also important in the sense that Dill feels compelled to return to Maycomb, even though that means running away from home. Dill is unhappy with his new stepfather, but readers sense that summers in Maycomb have become part of Dill's sense of place. After two summers in Maycomb, he belongs there. Maycomb may not be a very nice town to live in if you aren't white, but for Dill, the town is a sanctuary when things are stormy elsewhere.
For Scout, Maycomb and her family are as much a part of her as her own skin. Listening to Dill's reasons for leaving his home, Scout "found myself wondering. Even Calpurnia couldn't get along unless I was there. They needed me. Later, she and Dill discuss why Boo Radley has never run away — he surely must not feel wanted. Dill muses that he must not have a safe haven "to run off to.
Dill shows the last vestige of childhood innocence by being the only one of the three still scheming to get Boo Radley out of his house. By suggesting that a trail of candy will make Boo leave his home, Dill still applies methods that would appeal to children, not adults. Jem demonstrates a new level of understanding when he refuses to keep Dill's presence a secret from Atticus. Though calling Atticus means incurring the wrath of his peers, Jem realizes that Dill's family is also concerned.
Jem also moves one step closer to adulthood when he refuses to obey his father for the first time in his life. Scout explains, "In the midst of this strange assembly, Atticus stood trying to make Jem mind him. Scout attempts to keep up with Jem and his newfound wisdom — and is, in fact, headed toward a new level of maturity herself — but Jem's treatment of her makes clear to the reader that Scout is still very much a child, as yet incapable of understanding many of life's complex issues. Lee's reinforcement of Scout's childishness in these chapters is a device that allows Scout the complete objectivity of a child while recounting the difficult events and issues that later surface in the trial. Bravery takes on a new role as the children face the mob threatening Atticus at the jail. Recognizing Atticus' bravery in going to the courthouse in the first place, Jem shows his bravery by refusing to leave his father with the group of men. Scout, however, is braver by addressing the mob, although, ironically, she has no idea how brave she's being.
Not until she's safely tucked in bed that night does Scout realize that the line between bravery and foolhardiness is thin. Significantly, Dill is quiet throughout the entire confrontation with the mob. He simply absorbs what he sees and hears, which foreshadows how he will perceive Tom's trial. At breakfast the morning after the showdown at the jail, Scout and Jem are full of questions about why people act the way they do. They can't understand why Atticus isn't angry at the men who were ready to hurt him and lynch Tom. But, in his usual way, Atticus explains that people don't always act in attractive or reasonable ways. Mobs take on a life of their own, but they're still composed of people. He then goes on to imply that children are sometimes better judges of a situation than adults by saying, "'maybe we need a police force of children. That was enough. Some are simply curious, but most are coming to make sure that justice is served, and the only justice they can accept is a conviction for Tom Robinson.
The children get more insight into Miss Maudie's feelings about the trial and her distaste for mob mentality when she tells them that she has "'no business with the court this morning. Look at all those folks, it's like a Roman carnival. Lee provides an interesting look at the issue of femininity in these chapters. First, Atticus and Aunt Alexandra debate "Southern womanhood. Ironically, then, Scout is called a lady for the first time when Walter Cunningham says, "'I'll tell him you said hey, little lady. Glossary johnson grass a forage and pasture grass, widespread in the Southern U. Braxton Bragg Commander of the Confederate Army of Tennessee from the summer of until the end of Bragg had the distinction of being both recklessly offensive as well as hesitant to the point of ineffectiveness at various times in his career — sometimes in the same battle.
Posted by mctowle11 These To Kill a Mockingbird discussion questions are part of my novel unit. Some of the questions simply ask the reader to make inferences or offer an opinion. Others require in-depth analysis of quotes or literary elements. The printable PDF file of the questions is at the bottom of this post. Why is the point of view important in the telling? Use details from the reading to support your choice. What can be said about his character? Do you agree with her views?
Find three examples to share and explain. Set 2: To Kill a Mockingbird Discussion Questions Chapters 1 Lee tries to recreate the ways that young kids interact with one another. Does she succeed? Explain with examples. Radley and his shotgun show us about racism in Maycomb? How does it inspire him to confess all? Support your view. Explain the humor and its purpose. Is it simply to entertain or is there more to it? What do you make of this? Use examples from the fire in your answer. What is the importance of this detail? His extended family is against it. What does this approach tell you about his style of parenting? What are his strengths and shortcomings? Do you agree with their assessment? What references to mockingbirds and other birds have emerged so far?
What does the episode with the sick dog teach us about Atticus? Does this make sense to you? Find one excellent example of imagery in the reading and explain how Lee creates it. Dubose and Atticus. What do they think of one another? Do you think it worked? Does Lula have a valid point? Is this a form of prejudice? What reasons does she offer? What inferences can you make about her real reasons? Do you find his attitude reasonable? What is funny about it? They had every advantage, so what happened? Find one example of humor from this reading and offer analysis.
How does the author create Bob Ewell in the mind of the reader? Why is this so? Make connections to human nature in your answer. Explain your view. What are some of the ways that Gilmer disrespects Robinson? What are they? Why or why not? To what does the narrator compare the courtroom scene? What is the meaning of this comparison?
What is his point? Make a prediction on this subject. Merriweather and Mrs. Farrow upset with the African Americans residents of Maycomb after the Robingson trial? Does this make sense? See Chapter Hint: Think about point of view. What is the point of this imagining? How does Lee create this mood?
After this, things go downhill quickly. One evening, Mr. Tate knocks and asks Atticus to come outside. Scout knows that men only talk outside for death or politics and wonders who died. She and Jem try to follow, but Atticus sends them back in. They turn out the lights and put their noses to the window screens to listen to Mr. Tate, Atticus, and Mr. This passage shows again how young and inexperienced Scout, Dill, and Jem are. Active Themes Mr. Deas tells Atticus that he has everything to lose and Atticus asks if he really thinks that. He says that Tom might go to the chair, but he has to tell the truth.
The men move closer to Atticus and Jem screams that the phone is ringing. Atticus comes inside, turns the living room light on, and picks up his paper. Jem asks if the men wanted to get Atticus, but Atticus assures him that they were friends, not a gang or the Klan. Scout walks Dill home and returns to find evidence of a fight between Aunt Alexandra and Atticus. She consults Jem, who shares that Aunt Alexandra thinks Atticus is disgracing the family. This makes the situation even more unsettling, since Scout trusts her neighbors. Active Themes The next day, Sunday, Atticus spends time in the yard talking with more men, including Mr. Underwood, the owner of the Maycomb Tribune who never leaves his linotype. At suppertime, Atticus comes in carrying an extension cord with a light bulb.
He takes the car, something he rarely does. Later, around p. Because Scout is close with her small-town neighbors, Mr. Underwood, who lives a few storefronts down on the other side of the jail. The jailhouse is an odd building; it has one cell but is built in the Gothic style. Its supporters think it makes Maycomb look respectable and like there are no black people around. Jem, Scout, and Dill notice a light outside the jail. They see Atticus sitting under it, reading. Jem stops Scout from running to Atticus as four dusty cars stop. The children hide and watch men get out of the cars. Tate is out in the woods on a phony call. Download Atticus asks very calmly if the men think that changes anything. Knowing that this means business, Scout races to Atticus, hoping to surprise him. Atticus calmly tells Jem to take Dill and Scout home, but Jem refuses.
The men mutter. Scout looks for a friendly face and recognizes Mr. She asks about his entailment and about Walter, which makes him look uncomfortable. Recognizing Mr. Active Themes Scout turns to Atticus, whose face is pressed against the jail wall. Suddenly tired, she asks if they can go home. Atticus wipes his face and blows his nose as Tom asks if the men left. Underwood interjects that he was keeping watch from his upstairs window. He waves his shotgun. Atticus gathers his things. Active Themes.
What does Scout realize after the Cunninghams get back in their ramshackle cars? That her persuasive speaking abilities were actually quite strong. That the sun was coming up and she had been out all night. That Mr. Underwood was both a friend and a foe. What do some of the Cunninghams plan to do the night Atticus stays out at the Jail. They plan to beat up Atticus. They plan to protect Tom Robinson.
They plan to kill Tom Robinson. How does Atticus explain the "mob" outside their house when news gets out that they are moving Tom Robinson to the Courthouse Jail. He says they were probably KKK members. He says they were just bullying and not to worry. None of these.
And why does a mob start harassing him to leave? After a lot of begging, Atticus let Dill stay the next few days in Maycomb. Hey, it is the South. To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. Just then, Mr. Cunningham squats down and tells Scout that he's going to give Walter her message. Despite this moment of passion, the boys spend most of their time together and neglect Scout. Created by. According to Scout, Mrs. Dubose spends "most of each day in bed and the rest of it in a wheelchair. The book sells one million copies per year, and Scout remains one of the most beloved characters in American fiction. Scout asks Aunt Alexandra if she's come for a visit, and aunty says that she and Atticus have decided that it's best if she stays with them for a while, as Scout needs some "feminine influence" To Kill A Mockingbird Finally they see him in front of the jail, reading by the light of the light bulb he went off with.
These men don't intend to hurt Tom themselves, but give Atticus an ominous warning that he could lose everything because of this case. How to increase brand awareness through consistency; Dec. Scout, her brother Jem, and their friend Dill are intrigued by the local rumors about a man named Boo Radley, who lives in their neighborhood but never leaves his house. Summary: Chapter He says that he's going out for a while and won't be back till after the kids are in bed. In this section, Jem and Scout receive insults about Atticus from a grumpy woman-Mrs. Dubose- whose house they pass everyday. I looked up at Mr. Cunningham, whose face was What about the Ku Klux Klan? Finish Editing. He tells the other men that they're going to leave, and they do. By Harper Lee. They came back in the s, when the, Sunday comes, and Scout sees some men at church who don't usually attend, including Mr.
Heck Tate and. Heck Tate knocks on the front door of the Finch house. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. They leave it there for a few days, but no one takes it, so they claim it for their own. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. In chapter 15, why does Atticus go to sit outside Tom Robinson's prison cell? Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of To Kill a Mockingbird and what it means. The news of Tom's death spreads like wildfire through Maycomb.
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