Chapters 23-24
This response shows how Atticus handles Bob Ewell spitting in his face.
Calm or unbothered. Glad Bob took it out on him rather than Mayella.
This reason explains why Jem stops Scout from killing the roly-poly that crawls into the house.
It wasn’t hurting anyone.
This larger social issue connects Andrew Jackson to the conflict that eventually leads to Bob Ewell attacking the children.
Racism and inequality between white people and Black people.
This is who Atticus thinks killed Bob Ewell.
Jem
During the Missionary Circle meeting, this woman silently guides Scout by modeling proper behavior and offering quiet reassurance.
Miss Maudie
Mr. Underwood’s comparison of Tom Robinson’s death to the killing of songbirds connects to this idea behind the novel’s title.
It is a sin to kill someone who never harmed anyone.
This detail from Scout’s heightened sense of smell helps the reader predict the attacker’s identity.
The smell of whiskey on his breath.
He fell on it.
This reason explains why Aunt Alexandra disapproves of Scout spending time with Walter Cunningham.
His lower social class status.
This contradiction makes Miss Gates’s comments about Germany ironic.
Criticizing Hitler for discriminating against Jews while showing prejudice toward Black people in her own community.
At first, Scout believes the stranger standing in the corner of the room is...
This is why Heck Tate refuses to report what actually happened.
To protect Boo from all of the attention.
Jem’s growing disappointment with this group and it's social practices leads him to understand why Boo Radley stays inside his house.
The people of Maycomb
This change in Scout's fantasy about meeting Boo Radley show that she has matured.
Imagining him as a normal person rather than a scary monster.
We learn this about Jem from his conversation with Scout about ruining the pageant.
He is maturing.
This is how Atticus knows that Scout not only understands why they are going to lie, but also that she has matured.
She compares telling the truth to killing a mockingbird.
This character shows hypocrisy by praising missionary work in Africa while criticizing Atticus for helping Black citizens in Maycomb.
Mrs. Merriweather
This explains why Jem becomes angry when Scout asks him about Miss Gates’s comment after leaving the courthouse.
Being reminded of the injustice and bitterness of Tom Robinson’s trial.
Clues like the location of the attack, the stranger’s behavior, and Scout not recognizing his face suggest this person is in the corner.
Boo Radley
This is how Boo Radley got home that night.
Scout let him walk her home, like a proper gentleman.