TKaM chap 14-19

Question 1

How is the trial affecting the children’s weekly visits to town? What are people saying?

Answer 1

• people insult them

Question 2

How does Atticus explain rape to Scout?

Answer 2

• “a carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent.”

Question 3

As Scout eavesdrops on Atticus and Aunt Alexandra, she says, “I felt the starched walls of a pink cotton penitentiary closing in on me…” What does Scout mean by this comment? What literary term is demonstrated here?

Answer 3

• Aunt Alexandra bossing her around

- simile

Question 4

What does Alexandra want Atticus to do to Calpurnia? What is her response?

Answer 4

• fire her, wants her gone

-

Question 5

Scout thinks there may be a snake under her bed. What is actually under her bed?

Answer 5

Dill

Question 6

What does Jem do that shocks Dill and Scout? How does he explain this? How does it establish his maturity?

Answer 6

• rats out Dill

- has responsibility over them

Question 7

Why has Dill run away from home? What reasons does he give?

Answer 7

• his dad was mistreating him

- chained in the basement to die

Question 8

As the chapter ends, what is Scout thinking about? What question does she ask Dill, and how does he respond?

Answer 8

• “Why do you reckon Boo Radley’s never run off?”

- “Maybe he doesn’t have anywhere to run off to…”

Question 9

The chapter begins on an ominous note as the reader receives hints that something bad is about to happen. Identify at least two instances of foreshadowing from the first several paragraphs.

Answer 9

• “A nightmare was upon us.”

- “There’s some men outside in the yard, they want you to come out.”

Question 10

What are the men talking about as the children listen from the window? What can the reader infer from the conversation? For example, what makes Heck Tate “uneasy”?

Answer 10

• Mr Robinson, moving him to the county jail

- a linch mob, protests

Question 11

What does Atticus say that causes the men to close in on him? What makes the men scatter?

Answer 11

• “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till the truth’s told.” “And you know what the truth is.”
• Jem yelled that the phone was ringing, startled the men

Question 12

After the men leave, Jem reveals his fears to Atticus. What is Jem worried about?

Answer 12

• gangs

- he’s afraid that gangs are after Atticus

Question 13

According to Scout, Atticus does “something that interest(s)” her and Jem. What is it? What other surprising thing does he do, and why does this suggest to Jem that something is wrong?

Answer 13

• leaves the house with an extension cord and light bulb

- takes his car (always walks, to work at least)

Question 14

What do Jem and Scout do after Atticus leave the house, and why?

Answer 14

• goes downtown

- to look for Atticus

Question 15

Where do the children fin Atticus, and what is he doing when they spot him? How does this explain why he left the house with the extension cord and light bulb?

Answer 15

• the county jail, reading

- protecting Tom Robinson

Question 16

The reason for the men’s arrival at the jail is not directly stated. Taking into account what they say and their behavior, why have they come to the jail?

Answer 16

• to hang Tom Robinson

- they want Atticus to leave

Question 17

Briefly summarize what happens when Scout pushes her way through the group of men. How does she ultimately defuse the situation?

Answer 17

• Scout finds out that they’re strangers

- shames the group

Question 18

The concept of protection plays a major role in this chapter, as several characters are involved in the act of defending or safeguarding one another. Who protects whom, and how do they do it?

Answer 18

• Jem protects Atticus
• Atticus protects Tom
• Scout protects all
• Mr Underwood protects the Finches (plus Dill)
• Mr Cunningham protects children

Question 19

As Scout is drifting off to sleep, two images come into her mind. What are they and why do they cause her to cry?

Answer 19

• Atticus reading the newspaper, Atticus waiting in the street
• she finally understood what happened that night

Question 20

What surprising fact does Atticus reveal about Mr. Underwood at the breakfast table? What previously mentioned theme is emphasized by this information?

Answer 20

• he hates Negroes

Question 21

What does Atticus say about mobs and men over the breakfast table? What does he man by the statement “Maybe we need a police force of children…”?

Answer 21

• “A mob’s always made up of people, no matter what.”

- referencing to last night, what Scout did

Question 22

What is the mood in the courthouse square on the first day of the trial? What do you find disturbing about it?

Answer 22

• cheery, rambunctious

Question 23

What is significant about Mr Dolphus Raymond?

Answer 23

• has a Negro wife
• has mixed children
• accused of carrying around alcohol

Question 24

According to Jem, what are “mixed” children, and why are they sad?

Answer 24

• half white, half black children

- they don’t belong anywhere (not segregated, has nowhere to go)

Question 25

How are blacks and whites segregated inside the courthouse? Where do Scout, Jem, and Dill end up sitting?

Answer 25

• Whites downstairs, blacks upstairs (heat rises, no AC)

- upstairs in the front with the blacks

Question 26

How does Scout describe the Maycomb County courthouse? According to her, what do the Greek revival columns and the old clock tower suggest about the people of Maycomb?

Answer 26

• wanted to preserve the past
• Victorian style
• faintly reminiscent of Arlington (pillars)