To Kill a Mockingbird Study Guide



To Kill a Mockingbird Study Guide

Chapters 1-8 Vocabulary:

Define each of the following words, and use the definition in the sentence from the text (as you did with UTC). Avoid verbs of being (is, am, are, was, were, be, been).

1. assuaged

2. taciturn

3. dictum

4. chattels

5. predilection

6. beadle

7. indigenous

8. fractious

9. auspicious

10. tacit

11. edification

12. aberration

Questions:

Please answer the following questions, using complete sentences. Answer in no less than three sentences. Incorporate quotes as directed.

1. The book begins with the narrator, Scout Finch, reflecting upon her past. This sets the background for the setting of the story. Name the location and time in which the novel is set, plus additional information for the background of the story.

2. The legends surrounding Boo Radley are a mixture of fact and rumor. List three verifiable facts and three rumors. How does this create the mystery associated with Boo?

3. Explain how Scout's descriptions of Calpurnia, her dead mother, and Boo Radley reflect her immaturity, sense of humor, and perceptiveness. Cite specific examples from the text.

4. What seems to be Miss Caroline's attitude about education? How do you know? Why is this ironic? How do her views contrast with Atticus?

5. Why does Jem become interested in the contents of the knothole? What are the contents and what does Jem do when Nathan Radley plugs the hole?

6. One of the reasons Scout didn't want to play the Boo Radley game was because Atticus clearly disapproved. What was the other reason? Why would this make her want to stop playing the game?

7. Miss Maudie says "Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets." Explain what she means. Is this a good standard for behavior? Why or why not? Read and list Jeremiah 23:23, 24; Psalm 139: 1-4, 11, 12; and Luke 12: 1-3. How do these

verses relate to living your life one way in public and another way in private? This answer should be answered in no less than two paragraphs.

8. After the fire, Scout finds herself wrapped in a blanket. Where does it come from?

9. While discussing what to do with the blanket, Jem suddenly leaps to the defense of Boo Radley. How has Jem's attitude toward Boo Radley changed? What has caused the change? Why doesn't Jem want Atticus to return the blanket?

10. What two alternatives does Jem suggest to Miss Maudie to keep her from getting her hands dirty with yard work? What conclusions can you draw?

Discussion Point:

Many of the characters within the book have been introduced thus far. One way the reader learns more about each character is through their interaction with Scout. Choose one character and study their personality, actions, interactions with Scout, and how they shape Scout's life. Answer this question in no less than 200 words.

To Kill a Mockingbird Study Guide

Chapters 9-14 Vocabulary:

Define each of the following words, and use the definition in the sentence from the text (as you did with UTC). Avoid verbs of being (is, am, are, was, were, be, been).

1. obstreperous

2. invective

3. rudiments

4. apoplectic

5. philippic

6. umbrage

7. rectitude

8. palliation

9. undulate

10. viscous

11. palliation

12. habiliments

13. voile

14. curtness

15. rotogravure

16. amanuensis

Questions:

Please answer the following questions, using complete sentences. Answer in no less than three sentences. Incorporate quotes as directed.

1. What advice does Atticus give Scout about handling insults? What begins the fight between Scout and Francis? Why do you think Scout had difficulty handling the insults from Francis. Cite a quote to support your ideas.

2. Uncle Jack is shocked at Scout's use of profanity. How does Atticus respond? Do you agree with Atticus? What does the Bible have to say on this matter of foul language?

3. What is being foreshadowed at the end of Chapter 9? Use a quote to support your idea.

4. The title of the book usually is a clue to understanding its main theme. At the beginning of Chapter 10 there is a reference to the title. What is the reference? How do you think this relates to some of the ideas found in the book so far?

5. What do Jem and Scout discover about their father when the mad dog wanders into the neighborhood?

6. Mrs. Dubose doesn't hold back when it comes to slandering Atticus. It's the first insult Scout hears coming from an adult. How does Atticus treat Mrs. Dubose and advise his

children to do in this situation? Summarize the following scripture references and explain what our responses to insults should be. Luke 6: 27-36; 1 Peter 3:8, 9.

7. Atticus tries to teach his children to rise above the horrible prejudices within this small town. List three examples of this within the book thus far. How does he teach his children about faith, equality, and fellow man?

8. In Chapter 13, Harper Lee almost brings the story to a complete halt by including a long expository section on the history of Maycomb. Why do you think this section was placed at this point in the story?

9. Upon her arrival, what values does Aunt Alexanda try to instill in Scout and Jem? What are Atticus's apparent feelings on the matter? Use a quote to support your idea.

7. Scout faces the difficulty of having to obey Aunt Alexandra in matters where Atticus always gave her freedom. What are your views of respect for authority, parents, and those placed in authority over you? Can you provide a specific example of someone to whom you have remained respectful towards, even though you perhaps did not agree with?

Discussion Point

At their church, Lula tells Calpurnia that she has no business bringing white children to their church. Calpurnia responds, "It's the same God, ain't it?" Do you agree with her? Read Romans 15:5, 6; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Galatians 3: 26-29; and Colossians 3:11. What do these verses say about divisions? Why should we all live in unity with one another?

To Kill a Mockingbird Study Guide

Chapters 15-20 Vocabulary:

Define each of the following words, and use the definition in the sentence from the text (as you did with UTC). Avoid verbs of being (is, am, are, was, were, be, been).

1. placid

2. uncouth

3. subpoena

4. elucidate

5. connivance

6. acrimonious

7. stealthy

8. brash

9. impudent

10. browbeat

11. temerity

12. mollified

13. unmitigated

Questions:

Please answer the following questions, using complete sentences. Answer in no less than three sentences. Incorporate quotes as directed.

1. "A nightmare was upon us"; "In Maycomb, grown men stood outside in the front yard for only two reasons: death and politics." Explain this quote. What was happening in the story and why?

2. During the scene at the jail, Braxton Underwood was leaning out his office window with a shotgun pointed at the mob. What does Atticus find ironic about this? What do you think were Braxton Underwood's motives?

3. There is terrible irony in the fact that Bob Ewell considers himself better than his black neighbors. List two ways the author shows this irony.

4. What evidence did Atticus show that proved Tom Robinson's innocence? Explain your thoughts on the trial and Atticus's defense of Tom Robinson.

5. Describe Judge Taylor. Do you think he is fair and impartial? Why or why not.

6. Tom Robinson tells Mr. Gilmer that he helped Mayella Ewell because he felt sorry for her. Mr. Gilmer repeats this with apparent incredulity: "You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?" What was the "mistake" Tom Robinson made within this answer?

7. Why does Dill leave the courtroom crying?

8. Why does Mr. Raymond pretend to be an alcoholic? What does he say to Scout and Dill? What is your opinion of his behavior?

9. Atticus presents a criticism of public education. What is it and do you agree or disagree. Explain.

10. In Atticus's final appeal to the court he suggests that Mayella Ewell has "broken a rigid and time-honored code of our society." What was that code? What was Mayella's reaction to breaking that code?

Discussion Points:

Write a 6 paragraph essay on this theme: Not What They Appear To Be, based on the following characters: Atticus, in chapter 10; Mrs. Dubose in chapter 11; and Mr. Raymond in chapter 20. Your 6 paragraphs will include an introduction and a conclusion, along with one paragraph about your experience in assessing someone incorrectly. One full page, minimum. Include quotes from text. You will receive an essay grade for this.

To Kill a Mockingbird Study Guide

Chapters 21-31 Vocabulary:

Define each of the following words, and use them in the sentence from the text (as you did with UTC). Avoid verbs of being (is, am, are, was, were, be, been).

1. feral

2. squalid

3. impertinence

4. duress

5. undelectable

6. veneer

7. teeming

8. garishly

9. connived

10. acquiescence

Questions:

Please answer the following questions, using complete sentences. Answer in no less than three sentences. Incorporate quotes as directed.

1. Why do all the black people in the balconies stand as Atticus leaves the courtroom? Read Leviticus 19:34, Romans 13:8-10, Galatians 3:26-29, and James 2:8,9. Why is any kind of class or racial discrimination wrong?

1. When the jury returns with the verdict, Scout says, "It was like watching Atticus walk into the street, raise a rifle to his shoulder and pull the trigger, but watching all the time knowing the gun was empty." Why does Scout refer to this event once again? What is the significance of the empty gun? By bringing this image to mind, what is the author saying about Atticus and his actions, in general?

2. Thinking about the outcome of the trial, Jem is painfully realizing something about the people of Maycomb. Explain and use quotes within your answer.

3. Describe Bob Ewell's treatment of Atticus. Why does Atticus say he would gladly take this treatment?

4. Aunt Alexandra refuses to allow Scout to invite Walter Cunningham over, and Scout becomes extremely upset. Read Luke 14:12-14 and 1 John 3:18. Is there anything contradictory in what Aunt Alexandra is saying?

6. List two ways hypocrisy is shown in the meeting of Aunt Alexandra's missionary circle (Chapter 24).

7. Senseless killing is mentioned in Chapter 25. List the three images and why you think the author repeatedly uses these images.

8. Define foreshadowing and list three things that foreshadow the attack by Bob Ewell.

9. The attack in the dark is told from Scout's limited point of view. Working from Scout's description and knowledge of the outcome, give specifics about what happens. Identify the characters involved.

10. What does Sheriff Tate mean when he tells Atticus "Let the dead bury the dead"? Read Matthew 8:18-22. What are the connections between the Sheriffs words and Matthew 8:22.

11. Why do you think the author has Scout reflect on the past while standing on the Radley's front porch? Explain.

Discussion Points:

Answer the following question in no less than 200 words each.

A) Read the last few paragraphs of Chapter 30. Explain what Scout means when she says, "Well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird, wouldn't it?"

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