Chapter 8
What was the weather like in the beginning of this chapter? What did the children make from it?
For the first time since 1885, Maycomb experienced snow and cold weather; the kids used their day off to make a snowman.
What is the name of the man Atticus is defending in the upcoming court case? Why does he say he must defend him? Support with a quote.
Atticus has decided to defend a man named Tom Robinson. While he is facing backlash from the town and his kids are facing backlash from peers, he claims he must defend him because: "'If I didn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this country in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again... I could never ask you to mind me again'" (Lee 87).
Name 3 things that we learn about Atticus in this chapter. How do these revelations further enforce his characterization? His kids' admiration for him?
First, Atticus can make "'anyone's will so airtight can't nobody meddle with it'" (Lee 104); he's also the "'best checker-player in this town'" (Lee 104); finally, "'he can play a Jew's Harp... can't everybody play a Jew's Harp'" (Lee 105). Later on, the kids learn that Atticus is a great shot. Thinking their father was a normal, boring old man only to realize he is talented and well-rounded in his interests makes the children admire their father even more than they had before.
Describe Mrs. Dubose with evidence from the text.
Scout provides descriptive details regarding Mrs. Dubose's nasty personality and physical appearance. She says, "Jem and I hated her. If she was on the porch when we passed, we would be raked with her wrathful gaze, subjected to ruthless interrogation regarding our behavior, and given a melancholy prediction on what we would amount to when we grew up, which was always nothing... she was vicious... she was horrible. Her face was the color of a dirty pillowcase, and the corners of her mouth glistened with wet, which inched like a glacier down the deep groves enclosing her chin. Old-age liver spots dotted cheeks, and her pale eyes had black pinpoint pupils. Her hands were knobby, and the cuticles were grown up over her fingernails. Her bottom plate was not in, and her upper lip protruded; from time to time she would draw her nether lip to her upper plate and carry her chin with it" (Lee 114-122).
What did Atticus save from Miss Maudie's house?
Her rocking chair
What happened to Miss Maudie?
Miss Maudie experienced a house fire, likely due to the intense fires she used within her home to keep warm during the unforeseen cold storm that came to Maycomb. Scout details that the fire devoured Miss Maudie's home.
Does Atticus think he will win the case? What reasons does he give for trying?
Atticus does not think he will win the case; however, he believes that just because you are not successful the first time around, doesn't mean you should give up. He knows the town of Maycomb is inherently racist and the town jurors will be biased white men, but he tells Scout: "'Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win'" (Lee 87).
According to Miss Maudie, why is it a sin to kill a mockingbird? What connections can you make between Miss Maudie's explanation and the significant meaning of the title?
Miss Maudie tells Scout that it's a sin to kill a mockingbird because "'Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us'" (Lee 103). There will likely be quite a few mockingbird characters revealed throughout the text.
Why does Jem destroy Mrs. Dubose's flower garden? What is his punishment for ruining the garden?
Scout and Jem have heard an array of insults regarding their father's recent client from plenty of peers; however, when Mrs. Dubose insults Atticus, this is the first time they have heard it from an adult. Mrs. Dubose claims Atticus is no better than the black men and trash he works for. Jem's anger is too much for him; Jem snatches Scout's brand new baton, runs up to Mrs. Dubose's front yard, and begins to ruin her precious cameilla flowers. When Scout attempts to protest, he grabs her by her hair and drags her away. He leaves Mrs. Dubose's lawn a littered mess for the things she said about his father.
Who is Aunt Alexandra?
Miss Maudie reacts with an impressively positive, admirable attitude. She has just lost her home and nearly all of her possessions, as well as her cherished flowers and garden beds. Yet she sees this as an opportunity to get the smaller house and larger gardens she has always wanted. This positive outlook suggests that Miss Maudie is an optimistic, resilient character. She does not let hard, devastating times get her down.
What happens over the Christmas season?
Every Christmas Eve the Finch family goes to visit Scout's Uncle Jack at the Maycomb Junction; additionally, they meet extended relatives at Finch's Landing. Scout has evident tension with her Aunt Alexandra and cousin Francis because he behaves as a stuck-up, spoiled brat who disapproves and dislikes everything Scout is interested in and vice versa. Scout ends up hurting him as a result, even though she told her father Atticus and Uncle Jack that she would refrain from physical violence and minimize her use of profane language.
What does Miss Maudie teacher Scout about her father?
Miss Maudie teaches Scout that her father is much more remarkable and worthy of praise than her and Jem have ever demonstrated or offered him.
Why is Mrs. Dubose so sick? What was the one thing she wanted to do before she died?
Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict and her sick fits were a result of her withdrawal. Atticus reveals this information to the kids when he returns home with news that she died. One thing she wanted to do before dying was break herself of her addiction.
How long has it been since Heck (Mr. Taste) shot a gun?
30 years
What did Scout have wrapped around her? Who do you think put it on her? What does this tell us about this person?
The Finch family returns home from the cold chaos of the neighborhood house fires to discover that Scout has a blanket wrapped around her. She and Jem were standing outside of the Radley house when it mysteriously appeared. We can infer that Boo gave this blanket to Scout when he noticed she was freezing in the frigid weather. This, in addition to his previous gifts to the children, suggests that Boo is kind, caring, and generous. He wants companionship with these children and his selfless behavior is an attempt to demonstrate this desire.
How does Aunt Alexandra feel about Atticus's parenting style? How does she feel about Scout?
Scout says that "Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my attire. I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches; when I said I could do nothing in a dress, she said I wasn't supposed to be doing things that required pants. Aunt Alexandra's vision of my deportment involved playing with small stoves, tea sets, and wearing the Add-A-Pearl necklace she gave me when I was born; furthermore, I should be a ray of sunshine in my father's lonely life" (Lee 93). While Aunt Alexandra has strong opinions about how Scout should behave as a young lady, she also has strong opinions about how Atticus is raising Scout. She doesn't shy away from telling him, either...
Who is Tim Johnson? What's wrong with him?
Tim Johnson was "the property of Mr. Harry Johnson who drove the Mobile bus and lived on the southern edge of town. Tim was a liver-colored bird dog, the pet of Maycomb" (Lee 106). The Finch kids realize that there's something wrong with Tim Johnson and Jem runs home to tell Calpurnia; Calpurnia knows the dog is "mad", or sick with rabies because of his erratic mannerisms and gait.
What does Mrs. Dubose give Jem and why is he so bothered by her parting gift?
Mrs. Dubose leaves Jem a single, white cameilla flower. Jem is bothered because he believes it was Mrs. Dubose's one last vicious act before she passed, and also because it serves as a constant reminder of her relentless hostility towards them. However, the flower also symbolizes his guilty and he's angry that she evokes these feelings from him, even from her grave.
What was Atticus's name according to Miss Stephanie?
"One Shot"
What does Jem try to explain to Atticus about Boo Radley?
Jem reveals the presents he and Scout have been discovering in the knothole of the Radley oak tree. He says that they are obviously intended for them from Boo himself, but Mr. Nathan has filled the hole to stop the exchange between the kids. He tells Atticus that Boo has never harmed them, but rather has been kind and provided for them.
Why would Atticus want Scout to hear his conversation with Uncle Jack at the end of the chapter? What could he hope she will learn from this?
He wants Scout to understand his reasoning for why he must defend Tom Robinson. Atticus knows it will likely affect his children as innocent bystanders; yet, he wants them to learn a meaningful lesson from his decision to remain Tom's legal representation. Atticus emphasizes the significance of empathy and understanding to his kids. He wants Scout and Jem to know that even if it's not always easy, it's important to do the right thing. He wants to protect his children from Maycomb's usual disease of unfair racism, anger, and hatred.
Consider what Tim Johnson stands for, or symbolizes. Think about it: even though he's referred to as "the pet of Maycomb" (Lee 105), he's dangerous without real reason, he's infectious and contagious, and only Atticus can confront and kill the dog due to other town members' fears.
Tim Johnson symbolizes the infectious racism and hatred that spreads through Maycomb. Everyone ignores the dog, like they do these acts of injustice, in hopes that someone else will handle it. Atticus is the only one who can humanely put Tim Johnson down, just like he's the only one willing and courageous enough to stand up to the hate of his hometown.
What is the real reason Atticus wanted Jem to meet Mrs. Dubose? How does this contribute to some of the meaningful lessons we see Atticus attempting to teach his children over the course of the text?
The real reason Atticus wanted Jem to meet and spend time with Mrs. Dubose is because he wanted him to see what "real courage" is. Mrs. Dubose's bravery with quitting her addiction (even when only given a few months to live) illustrates moral courage, rather than the physical bravery a young boy like Jem likely most admires. She died "'beholden to nothing and nobody'" (Lee 127), just as she intended and desired. It was a painful battle against her addiction, but she made it through regardless.
Mrs. Dubose