To Kill A Mockingbird Reading Guide Part IIName______
By Harper Lee
Chapter 12:
1. Why does Dill not come to Maycomb for the summer?
2. What has Tom Robinson been accused of? Who has he been accused by?
Chapter 13:
3. Who comes to stay with the Finch family? Why?
4. What does Aunt Alexandra want Atticus to talk to the children about? How does it turn out?
Chapter 14:
5. Why does Aunt Alexandra get mad when Scout informs Atticus that she and Jem went to Calpurnia’s church?
6. Who does Scout find under her bed? Why is he there?
Chapter 15:
7. Why did Heck Tate and other men from Maycombshow up at the Finch’s house late one night? What was the conversation about that the men had with Atticus?
8. Why did Atticus go sit outside the jailhouse late Sunday night? What do the kids witness?
Chapter 16:
9. At the dinner table, the Finch family is talking about the events that took place at the jailhouse the night before. What does Atticus say a mob is made up of? Explain what he means.
10. Scout finds out that Atticus was appointed by the court to defend Tom Robinson. With this new information, and considering the town’s attitude, why is this confusing to Scout?
Chapter 17:
11. Why is it significant to the trial that Mayella Ewell’s bruises are on the right side of her face?
12. Discuss the living conditions of the Ewell family.
Chapter 18:
13. Mayella takes the stand to testify. Why did she say brought Tom Robinson to the Ewell house?
14. Why does it seem unbelievable that Tom Robinson committed this crime? What does Atticus want Mayella to confess to in order to prove Tom’s innocence?
Chapter 19:
15. Summarize Tom Robinson’s testimony of what happened at the Ewell house with Mayella.
16. What is the reaction when Tom says that he helped Mayella with her chores because he felt sorry for her? Why did people in the courtroom feel uncomfortable with this answer?
Chapter 20:
17. What is Mr. Dolphus Raymond really drinking in the brown bag? Why would he deceive people like this?
18. In his closing remarks, Atticus says, “This case is as simple as black and white.” Does Atticus’ speech make you believe that Tom Robinson will become a free man? Why/Why not?
Chapter 21:
19. Why was it a surprise that the jury was still out when the kids returned from dinner?
20. After the verdict was read, what happened when Atticus was leaving the courtroom? What was this a symbol of towards Atticus?
Chapter 22:
21. Many people in the black community delivered food to the Finch’s house after the trial. Why? Why did Atticus get noticeably choked up about it?
22.Jem is very frustrated by the outcome of the trial. What does he say to Miss Maudie about the town of Maycomb? Have his feelings changed?
Chapter 23:
23. How does Atticus react to Bob Ewell’s threat against him?
24. Why can’t Jem accept Scout’s opinion that there is “just one kind of folks – folks.”?
Chapter 24:
25. Discuss the irony of Mrs. Merriweather’s admiration for J. Grimes Everett and her attitude toward the trial.
26. Scout learns something about being a true lady. What is it? Explain.
Chapter 25:
27. How does most of the town react to Tom’s death?
28. In what ways is Mr. Underwood’s editorial in the Maycomb Tribune similar to Atticus’ advice to Jem and Scout when they got their guns?
Chapter 26:
29. The kids start school again and begin to pass the Radley house. What are their feelings about the house at this point in the book?
30. When Scout tries to tell Jem about Miss Gates, why does he act to violently? Explain Atticus’ answer to her about this.
Chapter 27:
31. What were the three threatening things that had happened in Maycomb by the middle of October?
32. Why do Atticus and Aunt Alexandra not intend on going to the Hallowe’en pageant?
Chapter 28:
33. What does Cecil Jacobs do before the pageant which helps set up the incidents that occur after the pageant?
34. How many people are finally involved in the skirmish under the tree? Who are they?
Chapter 29:
35. Who saved Jem and Scout?
36. Briefly describe the meeting between Scout and Boo. How does this compare to how she imagined the meeting would be?
Chapter 30:
37. Atticus and Heck Tate have a heated argument. What is it about? Does either one of them really believe what he is saying?
38. How does Scout assure Atticus that Mr. Tate is right?
Chapter 31:
39. When Scout takes Boo home she understands many things as she sees the street from a new point of view. Explain some of the things she “sees” now.
40. Describe the feelings you experienced as you read the closing scene.