Character Development and Relationships
Who goes with Jem to church in Chapter 12?
Answer: Scout and Jem both go to church with Calpurnia.
How does the congregation react when Scout and Jem arrive at the church?
Answer: The congregation is surprised and somewhat suspicious of two white children attending the black church, but they accept them after Calpurnia vouches for them.
How does Calpurnia explain her way of speaking to Jem and Scout when they ask?
Answer: Calpurnia explains that she speaks differently at church because that is how the black community speaks, and it's important to fit in with their people when they are in that setting.
Why does Aunt Alexandra come to live with the Finch family?
Answer: Aunt Alexandra comes to live with the Finch family to provide a feminine influence on Scout and to help Atticus during the Tom Robinson trial.
How does the congregation at Calpurnia’s church react when they first see Scout and Jem?
Answer: The congregation is initially surprised and curious but ultimately accepts them when Calpurnia vouches for them.
How does Scout feel about Aunt Alexandra’s arrival?
Answer: Scout is not happy about Aunt Alexandra’s arrival. She feels that Aunt Alexandra is trying to impose strict ideas of how she should behave.
What is the significance of the church Calpurnia takes Scout and Jem to in Chapter 12?
Answer: The church represents a different side of Maycomb, one where black people worship and support one another. It also shows the divide between races in the town.
Why does Scout fight with Jem in Chapter 14?
Answer: Scout fights with Jem because she feels that he is becoming distant and acting more like an adult, which she resents. Their fight stems from Scout’s frustration with her growing independence.
What is Aunt Alexandra’s opinion about the Finch family’s reputation?
Answer: Aunt Alexandra believes that the Finch family has a proud and important heritage that they must uphold. She places great importance on family name and social status.
Why is the conversation about Maycomb’s social divisions important in Chapter 14?
Answer: It shows the divide between different social classes in the town, and Aunt Alexandra’s emphasis on family history highlights how some people value social status over morality.
What is the nature of the argument between Scout and Aunt Alexandra in Chapter 14?
Answer: The argument centers around Aunt Alexandra’s strict views on how Scout should behave, especially regarding being more “ladylike.” Scout becomes upset because Aunt Alexandra criticizes her behavior and her lack of femininity.
Why does Calpurnia take Jem and Scout to her church, despite the racial divide in Maycomb?
Answer: Calpurnia takes them because she feels they should understand her world and experience the black community's way of life firsthand.
What does Dill reveal about why he ran away from home?
Answer: Dill ran away because his parents were inattentive and didn’t pay enough attention to him, which made him feel unloved and unwanted.
Why does Aunt Alexandra think Scout needs to learn to behave more like a “lady”?
Answer: Aunt Alexandra believes that Scout needs to behave more ladylike to fit into the traditional roles expected of women in Maycomb’s society.
What does Aunt Alexandra’s comment about the Finch family’s roots in Maycomb affect Scout?
Answer: Scout feels confused and frustrated because she doesn’t understand why family history should matter so much, especially in the context of what’s happening with Tom Robinson.
How does Jem react when Dill tells him he ran away?
Answer: Jem is initially shocked and worried for Dill, but he eventually accepts Dill’s explanation and keeps it a secret from Atticus.
How does the experience at the church challenge Jem and Scout’s understanding of the black community in Maycomb?
(Hard)
Answer: Scout and Jem are exposed to the differences in worship style, social practices, and economic struggles. They also see the way black people support each other in difficult times, such as the case with Tom Robinson.
Why does Scout get upset when she overhears a conversation between Atticus and Aunt Alexandra?
Answer: Scout is upset because she overhears Atticus expressing concern that the town’s prejudice against Tom Robinson will hurt the Finch family’s reputation, and she realizes the emotional weight of what’s to come.
What does Aunt Alexandra mean when she says that the Finch family’s history is important to Maycomb?
Answer: Aunt Alexandra is stressing that the Finch family’s longstanding presence in Maycomb should come with certain responsibilities. She feels the family name must be protected and upheld, reflecting the social values of the town.
How does the church experience at Calpurnia’s affect Scout’s understanding of racial divides and community support?
Answer: Scout learns about the deep connections and support systems within the black community, as well as the challenges they face due to racial divides. It broadens her understanding of the complexities of race in Maycomb.
How does the relationship between Scout and Jem change as they grow older, especially in their interactions with each other?
Answer: As they mature, Jem begins to act more like an adult, while Scout struggles to understand these changes. Their relationship becomes strained, as Scout feels left behind and Jem becomes more protective.
What lesson does Scout learn about class and race during the church service?
Answer: Scout learns that race and class can create divisions, but she also sees the generosity and unity within the black community despite their hardships.
How does Scout react when she learns about the serious challenges that Atticus and his family will face due to Tom Robinson’s trial?
Answer: Scout becomes more aware of the harsh reality of the trial and the challenges their family will face, leading her to feel conflicted and worried about her father’s safety.
How does the conversation about "family honor" between Aunt Alexandra and Atticus highlight their differing views?
Answer: Aunt Alexandra places great emphasis on maintaining family honor, while Atticus believes that doing what is morally right is more important than preserving social status. This disagreement shows their differing values.
Why does Atticus believe the town’s prejudice against Tom Robinson will have consequences for his family?
Answer: Atticus understands that the case will spark anger and resentment in Maycomb’s white community, and that his family will be targeted and ostracized for supporting Tom Robinson, which puts them in a vulnerable position.