To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 4 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What do you learn in this chapter about Maycomb, Atticus Finch, and his family?

Maycomb is a sweltering old town in Alabama. Atticus Finch is a respectable lawyer whose wife died when their son Jem was six and their daughter Scout was two.

What do you learn about Dill's character?

Dill is a small boy from Meridian, Mississippi, who is capable of reading and is accepted by Jem and Scout.

What, briefly, has happened to Arthur 'Boo' Radley?

Boo Radley was involved in a gang in his youth, was put on trial, and has not been seen for fifteen years.

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

They wonder what Boo Radley does all day and are curious about his appearance. Signup and view all the answers

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

The narrative voice is Scout, using first person point of view. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Scout looking forward to starting school?

Scout looks forward to school because she is miserable when Jem leaves for school and wants to watch the other children. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Jem not want anything to do with Scout at school? Is his behavior typical of an older child?

Jem doesn't want to be embarrassed by his private life at school, which is typical behavior for an older sibling. Signup and view all the answers

What do you think of Miss Caroline Fisher as a teacher?

Miss Caroline Fisher is not well-suited to teach the students in Alabama as she doesn't encourage Scout's reading. Signup and view all the answers

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

Calpurnia is a well-educated African American woman and the cook for the Finches, who acts as a mother figure. Signup and view all the answers

What is Walter Cunningham like? What does his behavior during lunch suggest about his home life?

Walter Cunningham comes from a poor family that pays in goods rather than money and gets little food at home. Signup and view all the answers

What do you think of the way Atticus treats Walter?

Atticus treats Walter with respect and as an equal, discussing farm issues instead of making him uncomfortable. Signup and view all the answers

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

Scout learns that families can have different ways and that she shouldn't look down on others. Signup and view all the answers

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?

It means you must see things from another's perspective to truly understand them. Signup and view all the answers

What do you learn in this chapter about the Ewells?

The Ewells are filthy, rude, and only attend the first day of school each year. They live in disgrace. Signup and view all the answers

What does Scout think of current fashions in education?

Scout feels the education system in Alabama is failing and is disappointed with her schooling. Signup and view all the answers

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

They believe touching the trees will get them killed and should avoid going near the Radley gate. Signup and view all the answers

Why do the children make Boo's story into a game?

They make the story into a game out of boredom and to prove they are not afraid of the Radleys. Signup and view all the answers

What do they do in this game? Do you think this game is an accurate version of what happens in the Radley house?

In the game, Scout pretends to be Mrs. Radley while Jem and Dill play other characters. Signup and view all the answers

What might be the cause of laughter inside the house?

The laughter could be Boo or another Radley finding the children's fears about him amusing. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Miss Maudie Atkinson. How typical is she of Maycomb's women? What do the children think of her?

Miss Maudie is atypical, allowing Jem and Scout freedom in her yard and being a friend to them. Signup and view all the answers

What does Miss Maudie tell Scout about Boo? How does this compare with what Scout already believes?

Miss Maudie reveals Boo's name and that he was kind as a child, countering Scout's previous beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

Scout claims that 'Dill could tell the biggest ones' she had ever heard. Why might Dill have told such lies?

Dill might create stories because he is lonely and craves attention, being passed among relatives. Signup and view all the answers

What reasons does Atticus give the children to not play the Boo Radley game? Do you think he is right? Why?

Atticus believes the children's game misrepresents Boo's life and is wrong to mock him. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Scout disapprove of Jem's and Dill's plan of looking in at one of the Radleys' windows?

Scout disapproves because she fears disappointing Atticus and is scared of Boo Radley. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mr. Nathan Radley know about the intruders in his garden? Why does Miss Stephanie refer to a 'negro' over whose head Mr. Nathan has fired?

Mr. Nathan Radley knows the intruders were children and chose not to shoot them. Signup and view all the answers

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

Dill almost gets in trouble because he says Jem's missing pants were due to strip poker. Signup and view all the answers

When Jem tells Scout about getting his trousers back, he tells her of something strange. What is this?

Jem finds his pants folded neatly and sewn up when he retrieves them. Signup and view all the answers

Can you find any evidence that Jem is beginning to understand more than Scout about Boo Radley? What do you think this is?

Jem seems to understand that Boo is leaving them gifts in the tree and is lonely. Signup and view all the answers

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

Jem no longer fears the gifts and even writes a letter to the person leaving them. Signup and view all the answers

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 it?

Mr. Nathan Radley fills the hole in the tree with cement to stop the children from communicating with Boo. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Maycomb and the Finch Family

Maycomb is described as a hot, slow-paced town in Alabama with unique customs.
Atticus Finch, a reputable lawyer, is well-connected by family ties in Maycomb.
Atticus's wife passed away, leaving him to raise his two children: Jem and Scout.
Calpurnia is the family's cook and acts like a maternal figure.

Dill's Character

Dill is a small, imaginative boy from Meridian, Mississippi, spending summers with Aunt Rachel.
He enjoys storytelling and has a flair for exaggeration about his life experiences.

Boo Radley

Boo Radley has a troubled past, including involvement with a group of misfits, leading to years of isolation.
He’s rumored to be dangerous, contributing to children's fascination with him.

Children's Fascination with Boo Radley

The Radley house ignites curiosity and fear in Scout, Jem, and Dill.
They are intrigued by the mysteries surrounding Boo Radley and create imaginative games based on his life.

Narrative Perspective

The story is narrated by Scout in a first-person viewpoint, reflecting on her childhood experiences.

Scout's Anticipation for School

Scout looks forward to school as a way to escape loneliness when Jem attends classes.

Jem's Behavior Toward Scout

Jem distances himself from Scout at school to avoid embarrassment, typical behavior for an older sibling.

Miss Caroline Fisher's Teaching Style

Miss Caroline, a new teacher, struggles to connect with her students’ backgrounds and lacks the ability to encourage individualism.

Role of Calpurnia

Calpurnia plays a significant maternal role in Jem and Scout’s lives, demonstrating care and discipline.

Walter Cunningham's Home Life

Walter comes from a poor family that practices bartering instead of paying cash, indicating his challenging situation.

Atticus's Respect for Walter

Atticus treats Walter with equality and respect, modeling ideal behavior for Jem and Scout.

Scout's Lessons from Walter's Visit

Scout learns about social and economic differences between families, broadening her understanding of Maycomb's society.

Atticus’s Wisdom

Atticus teaches Scout about empathy, emphasizing the importance of understanding others’ perspectives.

The Ewells

The Ewells represent a disrespectful and lazy segment of society, with a history of neglect and misbehavior.

Critique of Education

Scout critiques the educational system, feeling that it fails to meet her and her peers’ learning needs.

Superstitions About the Radley House

Children are fearful and superstitious regarding the Radley house, believing they could be harmed by interacting with it.

Boo Radley Game

The children turn Boo’s story into a game, allowing them to express their fears and curiosities.

Miss Maudie Atkinson

Miss Maudie is a non-conventional woman in Maycomb, who is kind to the children, fostering a friendly bond.

Boo Radley’s Reality

Miss Maudie offers insights into Boo's true character, countering the children’s fears and misconceptions.

Dill's Lying

Dill's exaggerations may stem from his need for attention and companionship due to his family situation.

Atticus's Advice Against Boo Radley Game

Atticus advises against making fun of Boo Radley, instilling respect for others' privacy and humanity.

Scout's Disapproval of Peeping

Scout feels guilty and fearful about looking into Boo's window, fearing the consequences of trespassing.

Mr. Nathan Radley

Mr. Nathan Radley is aware of the children’s intrusion but chooses not to harm them, indicating a complex character.

Dill’s Gamble and Trouble

Dill’s misrepresentation of Jem's missing pants leads to a near mistake involving gambling accusations.

Jem's Discovery of Trousers

Jem finds his pants folded and mended, suggesting an unknown kindness from Boo Radley.

Jem's Growing Understanding of Boo

Jem’s perspective shifts as he begins to recognize Boo as a benign figure rather than a source of fear.

Gifts in the Tree

Jem is no longer afraid of the gifts in the tree, indicating his growing maturity and emotional connection to Boo.

Prevention of Sending a Letter

The children’s attempt to communicate with Boo is thwarted by Mr. Nathan Radley’s filling the tree hole, suggesting control over Boo’s interactions.

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Test your knowledge of Chapter 4 in 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Discover insights about Maycomb, Atticus Finch, and his family's background. This quiz utilizes flashcards to enhance your learning experience and retention of key concepts.