Characters
The outcome of Tom's trial symbolizes __________. (Pair your question with at least one supporting detail.)
What are racism and prejudice? (explanations may vary)
Rewrite this statement so that it is true:
"To protect Jem from attention and legal trouble, Heck Tate claims Walter Cunningham fell on his knife."
(You need not answer this prompt in the form of a question.)
To protect Boo Radley from attention and legal trouble, Heck Tate claims Bob Ewell fell on his knife.
"Let the dead bury the dead, Mr. Finch. Let the dead bury the dead."
Who is Heck Tate?
Describe what actually happened during the scuffle under the Radleys' tree.
(You need not answer this prompt in the form of a question.)
Bob Ewell attacked Jem and Scout. Scout couldn't see anything because of her costume. Jem tried to fight off Bob Ewell, but he was forced to the ground and broke his arm. Boo Radley came out to help Jem and Scout, ultimately stabbing Bob Ewell. Then, Boo carried Jem home.
The meeting in chapter 24 of the Maycomb ladies' missionary circle represents the _______ of racists who regard themselves as "civilized." (Remember, Aunt Alexandra hosted fellow members of this organization she for tea.)
What is hypocrisy?
Rewrite this statement so that it is true:
"Atticus had Bob Ewell write his name in court to prove he was illiterate."
(You need not answer this prompt in the form of a question.)
Atticus had Bob Ewell write his name in court to prove he was left-handed.
"Well, it'd be sort of like shooting a mockingbird, wouldn't it?"
Who is Scout Finch?
Explain why having a jury of white, male farmers doomed Tom from the start.
(You need not answer this prompt in the form of a question.)
The jurors saw only Tom's race, and to them, his race was an immediate sign of guilt. (explanations may vary)
Dolphus Raymond has had several biracial children in Maycomb County. Though he is white, he doesn't get along with most _________ people in Maycomb, so he pretends to be drunk to avoid their judgment.
What is "white"?
Boo's gifts to the Finch children represent a person's instinctual desire for _________. (Remember: He gave them a broken pocket watch, string, two soap dolls, gum, and two lucky pennies.)
What is friendship? (explanations will vary)
Rewrite this statement so that it is true:
"Scout and Jem have permission to attend Tom Robinson's trial."
(You need not answer this prompt in the form of a question.)
Atticus does not give Scout and Jem permission to attend Tom Robinson's trial.
"Stand up, Miss Jean Louise. Your father's passing."
Who is Reverend Sykes?
Atticus implants in the jury's mind that Bob Ewell is more likely than Tom to have beaten Mayella through this strategy.
(You need not answer this prompt in the form of a question.)
Atticus demonstrates that Mayella was most likely hit by a left-handed person because her right eye is bruised. He has Bob Ewell write to show that Bob is left-handed. Finally, Atticus suggests, in his closing statements, that Tom is not guilty, but someone in the courtroom is.
This character threatens three characters in the book: Helen Robinson, Judge Taylor, and Atticus Finch. He also spits in Atticus's face. He dies from a stab wound.
Who is Bob Ewell?
Mrs. Dubose's posthumous gift of a camellia (flower) for Jem represents _________.
What is forgiveness? (explanations will vary).
Rewrite this statement so that it is true:
"Dill makes up stories about his parents because he doesn't have any."
(You need not answer this prompt in the form of a question.)
Dill makes up stories about his parents because the truth of his home life makes him too sad to discuss it candidly. (answers may vary)
"Secretly, Miss Finch, I'm not much of a drinker, but you see they could never, never understand that I live like I do because that's the way I want to live."
Who is Dolphus Raymond?
Explain Calpurnia's thought process when she switches from one dialect to another.
(You need not answer this prompt in the form of a question.)
Calpurnia wouldn't be taken seriously if she talked the way she did at the Finches'. She is trying to fit in and show that she is still loyal to her people while defending herself, the Finches, and her choices.
This character is the prosecutor in Tom Robinson's trial, and he tries to make it seem as though Tom is strong enough to beat up a young woman in order to create suspicion.
Who is Mr. Gilmer?
The mysterious but virtuous "Gray Ghost" in Jem's adventure books might stand in for this character. (Pair your question with an explanation.)
Who is Boo Radley? (explanations will vary)
Rewrite this statement so that it is true:
"Scout never fully understands the meaning of 'walking in someone else's shoes.'"
(You need not answer this prompt in the form of a question.)
Scout learns the meaning of "walking in someone else's shoes" by the end of the novel, especially after standing on Boo Radley's porch.
"Most people are [nice], Scout, when you finally see them."
Who is Atticus Finch?
During his testimony, Tom says he "felt bad for" Mayella. Explain why Tom his statement makes both the white people and the Black people in the courtroom uncomfortable.
(You need not answer this prompt in the form of a question.)
With this statement, Tom implies that Mayella, a white woman, was in a worse situation than he was as a Black man in the South. However, based on racial implications, white southerners did not believe this to be possible and took offense. The Black folks in the courtroom knew the white folks would react this way.