Try to Finish the Book for Monday, November 26

Try to Finish the Book for Monday, November 26

English 8/Yarosh/ Periods B,C,F,G

November 2007

Try to finish the book for Monday, November 26.

Be prepared to discuss the significance of the following quotes and concepts as we conclude our discussion of the book.

My recommendations for answering these questions: get comfortable, read the book to the end, and continue doing the chapter bullet points so you can keep track of events. (Don’t let this last responsibility slide; you’ll need to know what happens in each of the 31 chapters when you’re looking for evidence to support your essay topic. If you’ve stopped doing this, begin again so that you know the events of each chapter.)

After you’ve read the book, or after reading each chapter, go back and annotate, using the points below as guidance. Remember, you’re trying to understand the significance of these ideas (Why are they important? How do they help us understand Lee’s ideas?), not just note their appearances.

Chapter 21

  • Why Cal is so outraged that Jem took Scout to see the trial (aside from not having known where they were or the fact that Alexandra would be upset).
  • The building of tension and Scout’s description of each person or group in the courthouse as the verdict is awaited.

Chapter 22

  • Jem’s words about, “…being a caterpillar in a cocoon….” (P 246)
  • Dill’s decision about what kind of clown he’s going to be when he grows up.

Chapter 23

  • The “obscure war” (P 248) of which Mr. Ewell is a veteran.
  • Atticus’ words that, “We generally get the juries we deserve.” (P.253)
  • Scout’s question of, “Why ladies hooked woolen rugs on boiling nights…” (P 255)
  • Scout’s anger at Alexandra for calling Walter Cunningham trash.
  • Jem’s understanding of specifically what distinguishes one group from another in Maycomb. (P 258)
  • Jem’s understanding of Boo at the end of the chapter.

Chapter 24

  • The transition from talking about the Mrunas to talking about the situation in Macomb
  • The concept of “…forgive and forget,” as spoken by Mrs. Merriweather on page 264
  • Language used by Mrs. Merriweather, such as “…darky’s wife”, “…cooks and field hands,” on pages 264.
  • Mrs. Farrow’s words on page 265, beginning with, S-s-s- Grace,” and ending with, “ it was certainly a fact.”
  • Why Miss Maudie gets so angry at Mrs. Merriweather.
  • The look of,”…pure gratitude,” (P 266) from Alexandra to Maudie.
  • The significance of Mrs. Merriweather’s name.
  • What Scout means when she talks about, “…being a lady at a time like this…” (P 271)
  • Why Tom’s death is not the most significant point of Chapter 24.

Chapter 25

  • The quote about Maycomb’s interest in Tom’s death on page 275.
  • Mr. Underwood’s editorial on Tom’s death (P 275), and Maycomb’s response to it.
  • Why Jem forbids Scout from telling Atticus that she knows about Bob Ewell’s threat.

Ch 26

  • The quote on page 277 in which Scout reflects on the Radley house.
  • Scout’s words: “I came to the conclusion that people were just peculiar, I withdrew from them, and never thought about them until I was forced to.” (P 279)
  • The discussion of Hitler in school and later on with Jem (P 283).
  • Why Jem reacts to Scout’s question about Miss Gates the way he does on page (P 283).

Ch 27

  • The fact that, “Mr. Ewell found himself as forgotten as Tom Robinson.” (P 284)
  • Atticus and Alexandra’s discussion about Bob Ewell on page 287.

Ch 28

  • Scout’s narration: “High above us in the darkness a solitary mocker poured out his repertoire in blissful unawareness of whose tree he sat in…” (P 293)
  • The device of Scout’s embarrassment over her actions in the pageant.
  • What happens to Jem and Scout – who attacked them – who helped them – at what point we can begin to piece together the events.

Ch 29

  • The conclusions Heck Tate draws about Bob Ewell on page 308-309.
  • How Scout knows it’s Boo leaning against the wall.

Ch 30

  • The fulfillment of Scout’s fantasy about Boo.
  • Atticus’ insistence that what happened with Bob Ewell not be hushed up.
  • Heck’s protection of Boo Radley.

Ch 31

  • Scout’s words, which begin on the bottom of page 320 with, “I turned to go home. Street lights winked down the street…” and end with, “except possibly algebra,” on page 321.
  • The story of The Grey Ghost, which Scout refers to on page 322.
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