Mockingbird Questions

Chapter 16
1. Describe Judge Taylor. What do you think was unusual about him? What kind of courtroom did he run?

2. Describe the day of the trial in Maycomb. Is there another event in a small town to which the event could be likened? Why do you think so many people attended?

Chapter 17
1. Describe the Ewell home. Compare it and contrast it to the home in which Scout and Jem had grown up in Maycomb.

2. Why did Jem think Tom would be found innocent? Why was Scout more hesitant to believe that way?

Chapter 18
1. Is Mayella telling the truth or is she lying? What does she say and do in court that makes you feel this way?

2. Describe Atticus’ behavior in court toward Mayella. How do you think he feels about her and what she says?

Chapter 19
1. Contrast and compare the style of Atticus’ and Gilmer’s cross-examinations.

2. Compare and contrast Mayella’s and Tom’s style of answering questions and compare their testimonies. How are they alike? How are they different?

Chapter 20
1. Give a of Atticus’s final speech to the jury. Why do you think that he loosened his clothing and removed his coat before he began?

2. Describe Atticus’s view of lies and immorality. Do you think his view is typical of most of Maycomb society? Why, or why not?

3. What was the unwritten social code that Mayella broke? Are there unwritten social codes that Atticus himself has in his life?

Chapter 21
1. Describe Atticus’ actions after the trial. What was the significance of each action?

2. What impressions did Scout have as she waited for the decision?

Chapter 22
1. How did many people show their appreciation to Atticus? What does Atticus say and do when he sees their response to him?

2. What did Miss Maudie do for the children to make them feel better the morning after the trial? What did she say to them that made them feel better? Do you think she believed what she told them? Why do you believe this way?

Chapter 23
1. What were the four kinds of people in the world according to Jem? According to Jem’s grouping system, where would Little Chuck Little who helped calm Miss Caroline when she saw the cootie be placed? Do you agree with Jem that the Finch family in Maycomb was in a different group than the Ewell family? Why?

2. Mr. Ewell spat in Atticus’s face. What were some reasons Atticus did not fight back? Which man had greater courage?

Chapter 24
1. Aunt Alexandra is trying to teach Scout to be a lady. From what went on at the meeting, what is a lady, according to Miss Maudie’s example? according to Aunt Alexandra’s example? according to Scout’s thoughts?

2. What is a missionary circle? Describe the women’s missionary meeting. Is there any irony evident at the meeting? Explain.

Chapter 25
1. Tell about Mr. Underwood’s editorial. To what does he compare Tom? Is this a good analogy? Why?

2. Compare and contrast the Robinson Place with the Radley Place. Do ghosts exist at both places? Explain.

Chapter 26
1. Why did Miss Gates use current events in her class? Knowing what Miss Gates said on the courthouse steps, are there any inconsistencies in what she says in the classroom and what she does and says outside the class? How is this similar or different from Atticus?

2. Compare a democracy and a dictatorship. How are they different?

Chapter 27
1. Why was Robert Ewell bitter, according to Atticus? How did he show his bitterness?

2. Compare and contrast the break-in on the Barber sisters’ house and the attempted break-in on Judge Taylor’s house.

3. Describe in detail Scout’s costume for the pageant.

Chapter 28
1. Describe the Maycomb Halloween celebration.

2. What events contributed most to the confrontation that occurs after the celebration?

Chapter 29
1. Describe what happened after the children arrive home. Why did Boo decide to stay at the Finch home instead of sneaking back home? What feelings do you think Boo was experiencing?

2. Describe Boo Radley. Compare and contrast his true description with the description that the children held of him in Part One.

3. In Part One Scout called Arthur Radley, “Boo.” Miss Maudie tells her to call him, “Arthur.” She thinks of him as Mr. Arthur on her way home from third grade. When she sees him for the first time, she calls him, “Boo.” What is the significance of each of these names?

Chapter 30
1. Tell Atticus’s story of the murder and what he thought should be done.

2. What did Sheriff Tate want to do about the murder and why?

Chapter 31
1. What could be seen from Arthur’s porch?

2. Are there indications in the chapter that Boo is sick and will die?