To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Reading Guide 1/3

Directions: Use these questions while you read. Jot down page numbers, key details and nimble

quotations that respond to the questions below.

Chapter 1 Siho

1. What do you learn in this chapter about Maycomb, Atticus Finch and his family?
impassive age and
6

qiet place
2. What do you learn about Dill's character? died rich

I can read vs active

3. What, briefly, has happened to Arthur “Boo” Radley.

not seen again for 15 years

4. Why does the Radley place fascinate Scout, Jem and Dill?

Inside the house lived a malevolent

5. What do you notice about the narrative voice and viewpoint in the novel? Phantom

The story is in rst person and portray the

thoughts and feelings of Scout.

Chapter 2
bored

6. Why is Scout so looking forward to starting school?

him
Hours of wintertime miserabe without

7. Why does Jem not want anything to do with Scout at school? Is his behaviour

typical of an older child?

6 Yes

not to embarrass him

8. What do you think of Miss Caroline Fisher as a teacher? Can you find qualities

which would make her good or not so good at her job?

father does not know how to teach

Chapter 3
6 rude

9. Who is Calpurnia? What is her place in the Finch household?

D read and

sugar


t
COOK

10. What is Walter Cunningham like? What does his behaviour during lunch suggest

0 Poor

about his home life?

pouredsyrup on vegetables Is not used

to luxions food

11. What do you think of the way Atticus treats Walter?

Talked like men respect

12. Does Scout learn anything from Walter's visit? What do you think this is?

that boy is comran strew never feet

13. Atticus says that you never really understand a person “until you climb into his

skin and walk around in it”. What does this mean? Is it an easy thing for Scout to

learn?

on't people I'll be dogged

dye 14. What do you learn in this chapter about the Ewells?
dad
is irresponsib
relief

checks on whiskey

Chapter 4

15. What does Scout think of current fashions in education?

They were endless

16. What superstitions do the children have in connection with the Radley house?

somebody is dying
17. Why do the children make Boo's story into a game?

something new something different

18. What do they do in this game? Do you think the game is an accurate version of

what happens in the Radleys' home?

t myths

Shrieked and homeo

19. What might be the cause of the laughter from inside the house?

someone was laughing Radley

Chapter 5

20. Describe Miss Maudie Atkinson? How typical is she of Maycomb's women? What

do the children think of her?

she was our friend



enjoyed

life

21. What does Miss Maudie tell Scout about Boo? How does this compare with what

Scout already believes?

Reckon he's crazy

22. Scout claims that “Dill could tell the biggest ones ” (lies) she ever heard. Why

might Dill have told such lies?

sent me 2 too

23. What reasons does Atticus give for the children not to play the Boo Radley

game? Do you think he is right? Why?

putting life's history on

display I use it

Chapter 6
is woe

24. Why does Scout disapprove of Jem's and Dill's plan of looking in at one of the

Radleys' windows?

little teeny light

25. What does Mr. Nathan Radley know about the intruders in his garden?

white ni er
26. Why does Miss Stephanie refer to a “negro” over whose head Mr. Nathan has

fired?

scared him pale

27. Why does Dill's explanation of Jem's state of dress almost land him in trouble?

Chapter 7
Gamblin by my fish pool

28. When Jem tells Scout about getting his trousers back, he tells her of something

strange. What is this?

folded across the fence

29. Can you find any evidence that Jem is beginning to understand more than Scout

about Boo Radley? What do you think this is?

stared at me so long tonight

30. Does Jem still fear the gifts in the tree? Give reasons for your answer.

appreciate everything


b
thankful

31. When the children plan to send a letter to the person who leaves the gifts, they

are prevented. How does this happen? Who does it, and why might he do so?

Chapter 8 filled with cement

32. Why does Scout quizpre

Boo Radley Smr Radley
Atticus about his visit to the Radley house? How much

does Atticus tell her?

Did you see Mr Arthur

33. What is the “near libel” which Jem puts in the front yard? How do Miss Maudie

and Atticus react to it?

mrAvery is sort of Simpson

Disguise this fellow

enema

34. Why does Atticus save Miss Maudie's oak rocking chair?

fire was spewing

35. When Atticus asks Scout about the blanket around her shoulders, what does

Jem realize?

Boo Radley helped Scout

36. Explain what Atticus means by telling Jem not to let his discovery “inspire ” him to

“further glory”? Is there any reason why Jem might now do as his father says?

Chapter 9
Spark of fresh adventure

37. How well does Atticus feel he should defend Tom Robinson? Is it usual for

(white) lawyers to do their best for black clients in Alabama at this time?

mine 0 Unusual

this one's
38. Scout and Jem have “mixed feelings” about Christmas? What are these feelings

and why?

Aunt Alexandra and Francis

39. Uncle Jack Finch tells Scout that she is growing out of her pants. What does this

mean and why might he say it?

you want to grow UP

a

be y d n l

bou

40. When Francis talks to Scout he reveals an unpleasant feature of Aunt Alexandra.

What is this?
understand much

doesn't girls

41. Does Scout learn anything from overhearing Atticus's conversation with Uncle

Jack? What might this be?

people go mad

about Negro
42. Read the final sentence of this chapter. Explain in your own words what it means

to know how to

and why it might be important in the story.

Atticus wants scout

Chapter 10 treat others respectfully

43. Scout says that “Atticus was feeble”. Do you think that this is her view as she

tells the story or her view when she was younger? Does she still think this after

the events recorded in this chapter?

still ashamed Nome

44. In this chapter Atticus tells his children that “it's a sin to kill a mockingbird”. What

reason does he give for saying this?

make music for us to enjoy

45. Why does Heck Tate not want to shoot Tim Johnson?

miss and you'll go straight into Radley House

46. Near the end of this chapter Atticus cuts off Heck Tate as he is speaking to Jem.

What might Heck have been about to say, and why would Atticus want to stop

him from saying it?

one shot Finch embarrassed

47. Jem and Scout have different views about telling people at school how well

Atticus can shoot. Explain this difference. Which view is closer to your own?

Don't say Anything about it scout wand

Chapter 11
Jem to show

b toI react
48. How does Atticus advise Jem
connect withtaunts?Jem
to Mrs. Dubose's off

hold your head high and be a gentleman

49. What does Mrs. Dubose say about the children's mother? How does Jem feel

about this?

Pitt y Atticus oion't remarry Jem gets mad

50. What request does Mrs. Dubose make of Jem? Is this a fair punishment for his

“crime”?

read to her to unfair

51. Explain in your own words what Atticus thinks of insults like “nigger-lover”. How

far do you agree with him?

how poor that person agree

ready
52. Why, in Atticus's view, was Mrs.
is
Dubose “a great lady”?

bravest person I ever knew

53. Atticus says that Mrs. Dubose is a model of real courage rather than “a man with

a gun in his hand”. What does he mean? Do you think he is right?

Yes because courage is knowing the consequences of something

but doing it anyway

54. Chapters 10 and 11 are the last two chapters in the first part of the book. Explain

why Harper Lee chooses to end the first part here.

Harper Lee wanted to

emphasize what real

Chapter 12 courage is

55. Comment on Jem's and Scout's visit to First Purchase church.

Unwelcoming
56. What new things does Scout learn here about how the black people live?

ther's a lard beyond the river z singing

57. What does Scout learn from Calpurnia's account of Zeebo's education?

made him get a page of the bible every day

58. Explain why Calpurnia speaks differently in the Finch household, and among her

neighbours at church.

I'm

black

Chapter 13

59. Why does Aunt Alexandra come to stay with Atticus and his family? What is she

like?

have some feminine influence

60. Read the first two things Alexandra says when she comes to the Finch house.

Are these typical of her or not?

Yes, it is expected of

girls to like clothes

61. 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?

I'm sluggish Ayy

62. How does Aunt Alexandra involve herself in Maycomb's social life? if

Maycomb welcomed her

63. 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
longer a family was It's not

him
64. Comment on Atticus's explanation of rape. How suitable is this as an answer to

Scout.

1530 carnal knowledge of a female by

force1 not enough

s 65. Why does Alexandra think Atticus should dismiss Calpurnia? How does Atticus

respond to the suggestion?

we don't need her now stands up for her

66. Why is Scout pleased when Jem fights her back? Why is she less pleased when

he tells Atticus about Dill?

I felt sick scared for

Dill
67. What do we learn from Dill's account of his running away?

Chapter 15
Dill didn't like his parents

68. What is the “nightmare” that now descends upon the children?

Fool proof Plan



to make boo

come out

69. What was (and is) the Ku Klux Klan? What do you think of Atticus's comment

about it?

political organization

70. How does Jem react when Atticus tells him to go home, and why?

Jem shook his head

71. What persuades the lynching-party to give up their attempt on Tom's life?

Let's clear out

72. Comment on the way Scout affects events without realizing it at the time.

Scout causes them to be ashamed

of themselves

Chapter 16

73. What “subtle change” does Scout notice in her father?

faint starchiness Y
74. What sort of person is Dolphus Raymond?

Drunk before 8 in thehearmorning

75. How does Reverend Sykes help the children see and the trial? Is he right to

do?

balcony with me
76. Comment on Judge Taylor's attitude to his job. Does he take the trial seriously or

not?

propped his feet up not serious

Chapter 17

77. What are the main points in Heck Tate's evidence? What does Atticus show in his

cross-examination of Sheriff Tate?

She was banged up

Atticus hard
78. What do we learn indirectly of the home life of the Ewell family in this chapter?

Robert E Lee Ewell

79. What do you learn from Bob Ewell's evidence?

sexual intercourse

With 11


y daughter

80. Why does Atticus ask Bob Ewell to write out his name? What does the jury see

when he does this?

Chapter 18
youre left handed
trying to

prove Bob hurt his

81. Is Mayella like her father or different from him? In what ways? own daughter

2030 she tried to keep clean

82. What might be the reason for Mayella's crying in the court?

2040 Mr Finch

83. How does Mayella react to Atticus's politeness? Is she used to people being
polite?
AN

I don't have to take his sass

84. 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?

2230 only
Chapter 19
reason he cared Reasons like that

helped

85. What made Tom visit the Ewell's house in the first place?

I
86. Why does Scouthad pass her place going to and from the tie
to Mayella Ewell was “the loneliest person in the world”?
think that

she seemed to not know what that meant z doesn't know what

87. In your own words explain Mayella's relationship with her father. friends means

Mayella is not very connected to her father and is scared of him.

88. How does Dill react to this part of the trial? Why is this, in your opinion?

Dill had started crying

Chapter 20

89. Scout says that “Mr. Dolphus Raymond was an evil man”. Is she right?

No because she is judging Raymond

for having a kid with an African

American woman

90. 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?

2280 It helps if people can latch onto a

91. What, according to Atticus, is the thing that Mayella has done wrong?
reason

She must destroy the evidence of her

offense
92. Explain, in your own words, Atticus's views on people's being equal.

Atticus’s views are very di erent than his peers in his time period. He believes that

people should abandon the ideology that all African Americans are evil, and

Chapter 21 instead treat them like humans. Additionally, Atticus believes that courts should

judge everyone equally regardless of race, gender, and wealth.

93. What does Jem expect the verdict to be? Does Atticus think the same?

2300 we're gonna win Scout

94. What is unusual about how long it takes the jury to reach a verdict? Is the verdict

predictable or not?

You think they'll acquit him thatfast Supposed to

95. As Scout waits for the verdict, she thinks of earlier events.be fast
What are these and

how do they remind us of the novel's central themes?

Scout thinks of the mocking birds being still and people stopping to hammer

Miss Maudie’s new house. They remind us how the central themes of the hook

Chapter 22 are working together and being kind to one another

96. Although Atticus did not want his children in court, he defends Jem's right to

know what has happened. Explain, in your own words, Atticus's reasons for this.

(Look at the speech beginning, “This is their home, sister”.

2430 This is their home theymight as well learnhow to cope

with it
97. Miss Maudie tells Jem that “things are never as bad as they seem”. What

reasons does she give for this view?

born to do
2450 YOU father was one of them

9 unpleasant tasks for the

98. Why does Dill say that he will be a clown when he grows up? Do you think he people
would keep this ambition for long?

z

there ain't one thing
in the

world I can do about

folks except

laugh

99. This story is set in the 1930s but was published in 1960. Have attitudes to racism

remained the same or have there been any changes (for the better or worse)

since then, in your view? What do experts say?

Yes, attitudes have changed. Experts say that although racism is still present,

it is not nearly as prominent as before.

100. Why does Bob Ewell feel so angry with Atticus? Do you think his threat is a

real one, and how might he try to “get” Atticus?

2 I destroyed his last

Chapter 23 shred of credibility

101. What do you think of Atticus's reaction to Bob Ewell's challenge? Should he

have ignored Bob, retaliated or done something else?

I think Atticus is taking the situation too lightly, as bob might actually hurt him

102. What is “circumstantial evidence”? What has it got to do with Tom's

conviction?

Circumstantial evidence does not con rm whether someone is 10p% guilty or

not. However p, this has gotten Tom aquited.

103. What does Atticus tell Scout about why the jury took so long to convict Tom?

2530 Took considerable wearingdown

104. Why does Aunt Alexandra accept that the Cunninghams may be good but are

not “our kind of folks”? Do you think that people should mix only with others of

the same social class? Are class-divisions good or bad for societies?

2550
105. At the end of this chapter,Drinking streak in that
Jem forms a new theory about why Boo Radley has
family

never left his house in years. What is this? How likely is it to be true, in your

opinion?

Chapter 24
2590 He wants to
stay correct

inside

106. Do you think the missionary ladies are sincere in worrying about the “Mrunas”

(a tribe in Africa)? Give reasons for your answer.

No, I feel that they are very condescending of the Marinas and are just
criticizing them

107. Compare the reactions of Miss Maudie and the other ladies when Scout says

she is wearing her “britches” under her dress.

she never laughed at me

unless
I meant to be
funny
b
 C

108. What is your opinion of the Maycomb ladies, as depicted in this chapter?
I think they gossip too much and are not willing to accept anyone

109. Explain briefly how Tom was killed. What is Atticus's explanation for Tom's

N Yes
attempted escape. Do you think agree with Atticus?

They shot him Started Climbing over the fence

110. How, in this chapter, do we see Aunt Alexandra in a new light? How does
Miss Maudie support her?
Mciosinsfomratusik
Aunt Alexandra looygdomacrgqsdthem.ie yo
Chapter 25
her
111. How does Maycomb react to the news of Tom's death?

112.
Maycomb was interested in Tom's death for
Comment on the idea that Tom's death was “typical”?
I personally nds this disgusting, as Maycomb is explicitly implying that all 2 days
African Americans are dumb and can’t think properly.
113. Explain the contrast Scout draws between the court where Tom was tried and
“the secret courts of men's hearts”. In what way are hearts like courts?

Tom was a dead man theminute Mayera yened the tab

114. Why did Jem not want Scout to tell Atticus about Bob Ewell's comment? Was
this a wise thing to ask her to do?
Jem did not want Scout to know because then Atticus will be troubled at the
way bob talks about Tom.
Chapter 26

115. In her lesson on Hitler, Miss Gates says that “we (American people) don't
believe in persecuting anyone”. What seems odd to the reader about this claim?
The odd part is that African Americans are treated very ooorly in America at
that time.
116. Why is Scout puzzled by Miss Gates' disapproval of Hitler?

2830 andbe ugly about folks at home

117. Why does Scout's question upset Jem? Is there a simple answer, or any
answer, to the question (“How can you hate Hitler an’ then turn around an be ugly
about folks right at home?”)

2830 I never want to hear about that courthouse again

Chapter 27

118. What three things does Bob Ewell do that alarm Aunt Alexandra?
Bob attempted to steal from John Taylor, harassed Helen, and threatens
Atticus
119. Why, according to Atticus, does Bob Ewell bear a grudge? Which people
does Ewell see as his enemies, and why?

Grudgeagainsteveryoneconnected with that case

120. What was the purpose of the Halloween pageant? What practical joke had
persuaded the grown ups to have an organized event?

2890 25 cents for the

Chapter 28
best Halloween costume
121. Comment on the way this chapter reminds the reader of earlier events in the
novel.
This chapter is very light-hearted and doens’t call much attention to previous
events

122. Why does Jem say that Boo Radley must not be at home? What is ironic
about this? (Is it true? Does he really mean it? Why might it be important for him
and Scout that Boo should not be at home?)

2930 Boo must not be homeListen

123. Scout decides to keep her costume on while walking home. How does this
affect her understanding of what happens on the way?
She understands Jem much better and how much he has matured over the
years
124. Why had Atticus not brought a chair for the man in the corner? Who might this
stranger be?

3 leaning against the

Chapter 29
war
125. What causes the “shiny clean line” on the otherwise “dull wire” of Scout's
costume?

knife
 126. What explanation does Atticus give for Bob Ewell's attack?

I thought he it out of himwhen he threatened me

all for the attack?
127. What does Heck Tate givegot
as the reason

He flung Jemdownhestunned over a root under that tree

128. Do you think the sheriff's explanation or Atticus's is the more likely to be true?
I think the Sheri ’s explanation is correct because Bob does drink a lot, which
can result in violence, especially since he has a grudge against Atticus.
Chapter 30

129. Who does Atticus think caused Bob Ewell's death?

3130 Do you think Jen killed Bob Ewell

130. Why does Heck Tate insist that Bob Ewell's death was self-inflicted? In what
way is this partly true?

draggin him out to the limelight that's a sin

131. Is Heck Tate right to spare Boo then publicity of an inquest? Give reasons for
your answer.
He is right because Boo wants to be left alone and doesn’t want people to
constantly talk about him.

132. How does the writer handle the appearance, at the end of the story, of Boo
Radley?
The write makes it impactful because she drives home the fact that you should
never judge people

Chapter 31

133. How do the events of the final chapters explain the first sentence in the whole
novel? The nal chapters explain how Jem got his arm broken, which is because Bob
attacked him.

134. Comment on the way the writer summarizes earlier events to show their
siginificance.
The writer makes Scout recollect lots of earlier events to show how much they
impacted her and how she views the world now.
135. How does Scout make sense of an earlier remark of Atticus's as she stands
on the Radley porch?

3 Atticus was right

you never know a man until
you
stand in his shoes
 136. How much of a surprise is it to find what Boo Radley is really like? Has the
story before this point prepared the reader for this discovery?
To me atleast, it’s not surprising because he gave gifts to a Jem and Scout in
earlier chapters, implying that he is actually in fact a nice person.
137. At the end of the novel, Atticus reads to Scout. Comment on his choice of
story. Does it have any connection with themes earlier in the novel and in its
ending?

Atticus chooses the novel “Gray Ghost”. It is a scary book and recaps
everything that happened recently in the book.