To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter 12-13 Review

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Questions and Answers

Why does Dill not come to Maycomb County for the summer? How does Scout react to this?

He finally found a new father, and he is going to stay at home to build a fishing boat with him during the summer. Scout is heartbroken, realizing that Dill makes summer fun.

When Scout asks Calpurnia what they are going to do for church, what does Calpurnia remember?

One Sunday, while Scout's class was without supervision, they tied Eunice Ann Simpson to a chair and locked her in the furnace.

Of what crime is Tom Robinson accused?

Raping Mr. Bob Ewell's daughter.

What is the name of Calpurnia's church, and why is it called so?

First Purchase. Freed slaves used their first earnings to pay for the church. Signup and view all the answers

Who disapproves of Calpurnia bringing Scout and Jem to her church? Why?

Lula. The church is only for black people. Signup and view all the answers

Who leads the mass?

Reverend Sykes. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the music superintendent who reads the hymns?

Zeebo. Signup and view all the answers

What does Reverend Sykes say during the sermon?

He denounces sin and warns to stay away from it. He talks about the common subject of the 'Impurity of Women'. He names off the sins of individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What happens after the collection?

Reverend Sykes sees that there is not enough money, and he tells everyone that they need at least $10 in order to help support Tom Robinson's wife, Helen, who has to take care of three children but cannot find a job. He keeps everyone locked inside the church until the $10 is collected. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why 'lining' was so important to the congregation.

A person at the front sings a line, and the rest of the church sings it after him. Only 4 people at the church can read. This is called 'lining'. Signup and view all the answers

What offer does Calpurnia make to Scout and Jem regarding what they are going to do for Sunday mass?

They can come to celebrate mass at her church. Signup and view all the answers

How old is Jem at the beginning of chapter 12?

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According to Calpurnia, why is Helen having a difficult time finding a job?

The Robinson family is being disgraced for Tom's crime, and because of this, nobody wants to hire Helen and have anything to do with the family. Signup and view all the answers

What is different about Jem the days after Mrs. Dubose Lafayette dies?

He is more moody. He is more independent, does not want to spend as much time with Scout anymore. He is smarter than before. Signup and view all the answers

According to Calpurnia, why would it be no better to buy hymn books for First Purchase?

Nobody but four people at the church knows how to read (Calpurnia and Zeebo are two of the four). Signup and view all the answers

What does Scout say about families who have lived in Maycomb County for many generations?

They are predictable, and the stereotypes are 'simply guides to daily living'. Signup and view all the answers

Who is on their porch when Scout, Jem, and Calpurnia return home?

Aunt Alexandra. Signup and view all the answers

When does Calpurnia celebrate her birthday? Why?

Christmas. It is easier to remember. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Zeebo in relation to Calpurnia?

He is her eldest son. Signup and view all the answers

From what books did Calpurnia and Zeebo learn to read?

The Bible and Blackstone's Commentaries. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how and when Calpurnia came to live in Maycomb.

Finch Landing when Atticus and his wife married. Signup and view all the answers

How did Calpurnia feel when Jem invited himself to her home?

She would be happy to have him come anytime. Signup and view all the answers

What does Calpurnia and Lula's conversation reveal?

Lula didn't want Jem and Scout to attend the church. This supports the segregation theme. Signup and view all the answers

For what reason does Aunt Alexandra come to live with Scout?

To give Scout some feminine influence and to watch Scout and Jem while Atticus is at work during the summer. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Atticus go at the beginning of the chapter?

He is called to the state legislature in Montgomery, where he will stay for two weeks. Signup and view all the answers

What does Aunt Alexandra say about the Finches to everyone in the neighborhood? How does Jem find this ironic?

The Finches are superior to all other families. Most of the people in the neighborhood are related to the Finches. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why Miss Buford, Miss Maudie's aunt, would be such an important person in Calpurnia's life.

She taught Calpurnia how to read. In those times, very few black children would be able to go to school. Signup and view all the answers

What does Aunt Alexandra say about streaks?

Every family has some kind of streak (a drinking streak, a gambling streak, etc.). Signup and view all the answers

What seems to be Aunt Alexandra's favorite topic?

Heredity. Signup and view all the answers

How does Aunt Alexandra define a good family? How does Jem find this ironic?

A family that lives on its plot of land for a long time. The Ewells have been living behind the Maycomb dump for a long time. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Sinkfield?

He ran an inn called Sinkfield's Tavern. Signup and view all the answers

According to Scout, how did Maycomb grow out of where it is today?

The governor of Maycomb County told Sinkfield that his inn was where the seat of government was proposed to be built, but he stood firm. From there, the city of Maycomb County grew out from Sinkfield's Tavern. Signup and view all the answers

How does Calpurnia respond when Jem asks her why she talks 'n****r-talk' at church when she knows better?

It would be out of place to talk 'n****r talk' at home. Similarly, it would be out of place to talk proper English at an African-American church. Nobody likes a know-it-all. Signup and view all the answers

According to Scout, why has Maycomb County 'remained the same size for hundreds of years'?

At the time of Sinkfield, the city was very far away from public transportation systems. Signup and view all the answers

According to Scout, why are so many families in Maycomb County related?

During the Civil War, Maycomb grew inward, and because very few people moved there afterwards, the people who settled there first were the only people there. As a result, they married each other, and all the families became related to each other. Signup and view all the answers

What member of the Finch family does Scout meet but does not know? What does this say?

Cousin Lily Brooke. Scout has never been told about their family's history, and pride in the family has never been instilled in her. Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote 'Meditations of Joshua S. St. Claire'?

Cousin Joshua. Signup and view all the answers

What does Atticus tell Scout and Jem at the end of the chapter? Why?

That they need to learn about the history of the Finch family and how to behave according to this history. Aunt Alexandra wanted him to tell them. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Dill's Absence

Dill remains in his hometown to build a fishing boat with his new father, leaving Scout heartbroken as he is crucial to her summer fun.

Church Experience

Scout recalls a mischievous incident involving her class tying Eunice Ann Simpson to a chair during unsupervised time.
Calpurnia's church is named First Purchase, originally funded by freed slaves.

Tom Robinson

Tom Robinson faces accusations of raping Bob Ewell’s daughter.

Disapproval at Church

Lula disapproves of Scout and Jem attending the black church; she insists it is reserved for black people.
Zeebo, the church’s music superintendent, reconciles with the children after Lula’s disapproval.

Reverend Sykes

Reverend Sykes leads the service and addresses sin in his sermon, emphasizing the "Impurity of Women" and warning the congregation against sin.

Offering for Helen Robinson

Following a collection during the service, Reverend Sykes insists the congregation gather at least $10 to support Tom Robinson's wife, Helen, who struggles to find work due to Tom's charges.

Importance of "Lining"

"Lining" is a singing method where one person sings a line for the congregation to repeat; only four members can read.

Calpurnia's Connection to the Children

Calpurnia invites Scout and Jem to experience mass at her church while highlighting the challenges Helen has faced due to Tom's crime.

Jem's Development

After Mrs. Dubose's death, Jem shows signs of moodiness and independence, preferring to spend less time with Scout and appearing more mature.

Family History and Reputation

Aunt Alexandra arrives to instill feminine values in Scout and oversee the children during Atticus's absence, claiming that the Finch family is superior to others, a statement Jem finds ironic given the neighborhood's familial ties.

Calpurnia's Literacy

Calpurnia and Zeebo learned to read from the Bible and Blackstone's Commentaries, highlighting the limited educational access for black children.

Legacy of Maycomb

The town of Maycomb’s growth is attributed to its historical foundations at Sinkfield's Tavern, where the original settlement took shape.

Cultural Dynamics

Calpurnia explains her duality in speech; she uses "n****r talk" at church to blend in and avoids it at home to maintain propriety.

Family Ties

Many families in Maycomb are interrelated due to historic isolation; new settlers rarely arrived after the Civil War, leading to marriages within the initial families.

Family Secrets

Scout meets Cousin Lily Brooke, indicating an absence of family narratives passed down to her, suggesting a lack of familial pride.

Reflection on Heritage

At the chapter’s conclusion, Atticus encourages Scout and Jem to understand their family history at Aunt Alexandra's behest, enhancing their awareness of their lineage.

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Test your knowledge of chapters 12 and 13 of 'To Kill A Mockingbird' with these flashcards. Explore the events and character reactions, such as Dill's absence and Scout's experiences. Perfect for a deeper understanding of the novel's themes and character development.