Ch. 13
What’s the reason the children are given as to why Aunt Alexandra has come to stay with them? What do you think is the real reason?
The children are told that they’re getting older and Aunt Alexandra will be able to help Scout become more of a lady. The real reason likely has to do with the upcoming trial. Atticus will be busy with the legal case and won’t be around as much to parent and protect his children. Aunt Alexandra will play more of the parent role this summer.
What does Jem do that, to Scout, symbolizes the end of his childhood?
When she and Jem discover Dill hiding under her bed, he immediately calls for his father. Essentially, he turns in Dill.
Why does Jem openly defy Atticus and refuse to leave?
He knows that his father is in danger and refuses to abandon him. Jem’s defiance shows him growing into his manhood. He’s doing the right thing by staying.
What does Scout learn about mob mentality?
She learned that a mob is made up of individuals who can still be reasoned with. If you can convince one person, like Mr. Cunningham, to see things from a different perspective, you might be able to alter the intentions of the entire mob.
Aunt Alexandra is critical of many of Maycomb’s families. According to Jem, what’s ironic about this?
He says that the Finch family is pretty much related to everyone in town, so when she criticizes other families she’s just about criticizing their own family.
Twice now, Scout has considered running away. Dill did, in fact, run away from home. Why, according to Dill, hasn’t Boo Radley ever run away from his terrible home?
Dill says that Boo probably doesn’t have anywhere to run to.
Why was Atticus so affectionate toward Jem, even after Jem disobeyed him?
Jem did the right thing and followed his own conscience even when he was directed by an authority figure to do the opposite. This willingness to do the difficult but right thing is exactly what Atticus has been trying to teach his children all along, so he is pleased.
Symbolically, what does the physical structure of the courthouse show us about the people of Maycomb?
Scout explains that the mish-mash of styles shows that the people of Maycomb are determined to preserve the past, even if the result is ugly and doesn’t fit together smoothly with the new ways/styles. Obviously, she’s talking about a lot more than architecture here.
Scout tells us that Maycomb would’ve grown into a much bigger town, if it had been built closer to what?
The river.
When Dill sneaks into the Finch house, where does he hide for a few hours?
Under Scout’s bed.
After supper, what is Atticus carrying that catches the attention of Jem and Scout?
He’s carrying a long electrical extension cord with a light bulb on the end.
Describe the cup of coffee that Calpurnia serves to Scout.
It’s just one tablespoon of coffee and the rest of the cup is filled with milk.
Describe the scandal involving Finch cousin Joshua S. St. Clair.
He tried to shoot the president.
When Scout sneaks food for Dill, what does she bring him?
Half a pan of cold corn bread.
During the tense exchange with the mob of men, who was quietly watching the whole time with his gun aimed to protect Atticus?
Mr. Underwood, the editor of the Maycomb Tribune.
We learn that Mr. Dolphus Raymond once had a fiance, but she killed herself. How and why?
She shot herself with a shotgun (pulled the trigger with her toes) because she discovered his romantic relationship with a black woman.
While Atticus tries to talk to Jem and Scout about having pride in their family name and the importance of “gentle breeding,” Scout does two distracting things. Name one of the two.
She searches for a redbug crawling on her leg and scratches it. She also runs the teeth of a comb along the edge of Jem’s dresser to make noise.
Why did Dill run away from home?
His mom and stepdad ignore him and it’s clear to him that they don’t really want him around. They aren’t mean or violent; they’re indifferent.
For a moment, Scout thinks she doesn’t know any of the men in the mob who are trying to intimidate Atticus, but then she recognizes one of the men and tries to engage him in conversation. What’s the name of the man in the mob she directly talks to?
Mr. Cunningham, her classmate Walter’s father.
Judge Taylor doesn’t smoke. Instead, what unusual habit does he enjoy?
He munches up cigars as he listens to cases.