Podcast
Questions and Answers
What brave thing does Atticus do in Chapter 10?
What brave thing does Atticus do in Chapter 10?
Atticus shoots a mad dog in Chapter 10.
What did Jem do when Mrs. Dubose said Atticus 'lawed for ******s'?
What did Jem do when Mrs. Dubose said Atticus 'lawed for ******s'?
Jem took Scout's birthday baton and cut the tops off of Mrs. Dubose's prized camellia bushes.
What was Jem's punishment?
What was Jem's punishment?
Jem had to repair the damage and read to Mrs. Dubose each afternoon after school for a month.
What did Jem learn from his encounter with Mrs. Dubose and after her death?
What did Jem learn from his encounter with Mrs. Dubose and after her death?
What happened to Miss Maudie's house?
What happened to Miss Maudie's house?
What 'disaster' happened at Christmas between Scout and Francis?
What 'disaster' happened at Christmas between Scout and Francis?
What did Dill dare Jem to do?
What did Dill dare Jem to do?
What was Scout's first 'crime' in school?
What was Scout's first 'crime' in school?
What was Calpurnia's fault?
What was Calpurnia's fault?
Why did Scout rub Walter Cunningham's nose in the dirt?
Why did Scout rub Walter Cunningham's nose in the dirt?
What did Scout mean when she said, 'He ain't company, Cal, he's just a Cunningham'?
What did Scout mean when she said, 'He ain't company, Cal, he's just a Cunningham'?
What two mistakes did Miss Caroline make on the first day of school?
What two mistakes did Miss Caroline make on the first day of school?
Why didn't the Ewells have to go to school?
Why didn't the Ewells have to go to school?
Why did Jem cry?
Why did Jem cry?
What was 'round the back steps' when Calpurnia came in on Monday morning?
What was 'round the back steps' when Calpurnia came in on Monday morning?
What was the significance of Maudie's two little cakes and one large one?
What was the significance of Maudie's two little cakes and one large one?
Describe Bob Ewell's meeting with Atticus at the post office.
Describe Bob Ewell's meeting with Atticus at the post office.
What is Atticus's reaction to Ewell's threats?
What is Atticus's reaction to Ewell's threats?
Why does Alexandra not want Scout playing with Walter Cunningham?
Why does Alexandra not want Scout playing with Walter Cunningham?
Why does Jem think Boo Radley has stayed shut up in the house?
Why does Jem think Boo Radley has stayed shut up in the house?
What does Mrs. Merriweather's complaint about her cooks indicate?
What does Mrs. Merriweather's complaint about her cooks indicate?
What happened to Tom Robinson?
What happened to Tom Robinson?
What more do we learn about Alexandra after Atticus and Calpurnia leave?
What more do we learn about Alexandra after Atticus and Calpurnia leave?
What did Mr. Underwood's editorial say?
What did Mr. Underwood's editorial say?
What did Scout and Jem find in the Radleys' tree?
What did Scout and Jem find in the Radleys' tree?
How did Jem get even with Scout for contradicting him about 'Hot Steams'?
How did Jem get even with Scout for contradicting him about 'Hot Steams'?
What was the Boo Radley game?
What was the Boo Radley game?
What does Miss Maudie think of the Radleys?
What does Miss Maudie think of the Radleys?
Why do Dill and Jem want to give Boo Radley a note?
Why do Dill and Jem want to give Boo Radley a note?
How did Jem lose his pants?
How did Jem lose his pants?
What else did Jem and Scout find in the Radleys' tree?
What else did Jem and Scout find in the Radleys' tree?
Why would there be no more surprises in the tree?
Why would there be no more surprises in the tree?
What was Scout's fantasy regarding Arthur Boo Radley?
What was Scout's fantasy regarding Arthur Boo Radley?
What did Scout hear Miss Gates say at the courthouse?
What did Scout hear Miss Gates say at the courthouse?
What happened to Judge Taylor?
What happened to Judge Taylor?
What happened to Helen Robinson?
What happened to Helen Robinson?
What was Scout's part in the pageant?
What was Scout's part in the pageant?
Why did Scout and Jem not leave the school until almost everyone else had gone?
Why did Scout and Jem not leave the school until almost everyone else had gone?
What happened to Jem and Scout on the way home from the pageant?
What happened to Jem and Scout on the way home from the pageant?
Who saved Scout and Jem?
Who saved Scout and Jem?
Why did Heck Tate insist that Bob Ewell fell on his own knife?
Why did Heck Tate insist that Bob Ewell fell on his own knife?
Why did Scout arrange for Arthur Radley to escort her down the sidewalk?
Why did Scout arrange for Arthur Radley to escort her down the sidewalk?
Why is it important for Scout to recount events from the Radleys' perspective?
Why is it important for Scout to recount events from the Radleys' perspective?
What was Mayella's account of the incident with Tom Robinson?
What was Mayella's account of the incident with Tom Robinson?
What was Tom's side of the story?
What was Tom's side of the story?
What was Tom's handicap, and why was it important in the case?
What was Tom's handicap, and why was it important in the case?
What do Dill and Scout learn from Mr. Raymond?
What do Dill and Scout learn from Mr. Raymond?
What were Atticus's closing remarks to the jury?
What were Atticus's closing remarks to the jury?
What was the jury's verdict?
What was the jury's verdict?
What did Heck Tate's mob want?
What did Heck Tate's mob want?
What was the purpose of Walter Cunningham's mob?
What was the purpose of Walter Cunningham's mob?
Why did Mr. Cunningham's mob leave?
Why did Mr. Cunningham's mob leave?
What is the importance of Mayella's bruises being primarily on the right side of her face?
What is the importance of Mayella's bruises being primarily on the right side of her face?
How does Jem change?
How does Jem change?
What does Scout learn about Calpurnia?
What does Scout learn about Calpurnia?
Who was waiting for the children when they came home from the church service?
Who was waiting for the children when they came home from the church service?
Explain how Aunt Alexandra fits into the world of Maycomb.
Explain how Aunt Alexandra fits into the world of Maycomb.
How does Atticus handle the situation regarding Alexandra's approach to the children?
How does Atticus handle the situation regarding Alexandra's approach to the children?
Describe Jem and Scout's relationship as Jem matures.
Describe Jem and Scout's relationship as Jem matures.
Why did Dill run away from home back to Maycomb?
Why did Dill run away from home back to Maycomb?
What did Scout's uncle Jack learn from Scout and Atticus?
What did Scout's uncle Jack learn from Scout and Atticus?
Study Notes
Key Characters and Their Actions
- Dill challenges Jem to touch the Radley house, sparking the children's curiosity about Boo Radley.
- Scout's ability to read and write leads to her first trouble at school, highlighting issues of class and education.
- Calpurnia, the Finch family's housekeeper, faces backlash for teaching Scout to write, indicating societal pressures on education.
- Scout fights Walter Cunningham at school, stemming from her defense of him against Miss Caroline’s misunderstanding of the Cunningham family's background.
- Jem and Dill create a game that mimics Boo Radley's story, revealing their fascination and misunderstanding of his character.
Major Themes and Social Issues
- Atticus Finch represents moral integrity as he defends Tom Robinson, ultimately revealing the deep-seated racism in their society.
- The Ewells are shown as an exception to school attendance laws due to their dysfunctional family dynamic and social standing.
- The concept of respect and courtesy is emphasized through Calpurnia’s teachings about treating guests, regardless of their social status.
- The hypocrisy of social values is critiqued through characters like Mrs. Merriweather, who professes concern for others but exhibits prejudice in her own community.
Events and Their Significance
- Jem's emotional response to the jury's decision shows his loss of innocence and understanding of societal injustices.
- The black community’s support for Atticus during Tom Robinson's trial highlights solidarity in the face of racism.
- Maudie's cake distribution symbolizes social acceptance and Jem’s transition from childhood to adulthood.
- Bob Ewell's confrontation with Atticus reveals the animosity and volatile nature of prejudice when his honor is challenged.
Climax and Resolution Insights
- The tragic death of Tom Robinson serves as a culmination of racial injustices, catalyzing altercations and confrontations within the community.
- Boo Radley’s ultimate role as a protector defies previous misconceptions, leading to Scout’s comprehension of human complexity and empathy.
- Scout’s realizations on the Radley porch encapsulate her moral growth and understanding of diverse perspectives amidst societal flaws.
- Atticus’s closing arguments emphasize the need for equality and justice, though the jury's verdict underscores the entrenched racism and unfairness of their society.
Personal Development
- Jem matures throughout the chapters, experiencing emotional turmoil and conflicting feelings about justice and family dynamics.
- Scout learns about the complexities of adult discussions and the nuanced behaviors of various characters, particularly regarding race and class.
- Dale’s feelings of neglect lead him to seek comfort in Maycomb, showcasing the emotional struggles of children from broken families.
Symbolism and Metaphors
- Radley’s tree, initially a source of mystery, becomes a symbol of lost innocence as it is cemented shut, marking an end to childhood curiosity.
- Atticus's shooting of the mad dog symbolizes a revelation of hidden strengths and the burdens of protecting loved ones.
Critical Reflections
- Miss Gates's comments about prejudice serve as a stark irony as it reflects her own biases, showcasing the pervasive theme of hypocrisy.
- The portrayal of characters like Calpurnia provides insights into the duality of existence for black individuals in a prejudiced society and invites the reader to question societal norms.
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Description
This quiz explores key characters and their actions in Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. It examines the themes of morality, racism, and social class as portrayed through the experiences of characters like Scout, Jem, and Atticus. Test your understanding of the societal issues that shape their lives and the decisions they make.
