Ms. Nardi 2014
English 9: In the Heat of the Night
In the Heat of the Night
Reading Package to Monitor Comprehension
Directions: For this novel study unit, students will be assessed and evaluated
periodically on their understanding of the plot and other narrative elements present in
the story. There will be at least 3 quizzes, a final project, and an in class essay. Given
that the unit is only 15 lessons, this means that the pace will be intense.
The best way to prepare for these assessments is to think while reading and to review
after reading. That is what these questions and pre-reading vocabulary are for. Write
directly on the paper. Each student must fill the questions out individually and these will
all be included in your portfolio. Full sentences are not always necessary unless
otherwise stated. For the most part, jot down the most essential information and use
quotes where you think it will help demonstrate your answer. Remember, these are your
study tool for final assessments and for cross-grades.
Chapter 1: Pre-Reading
Define the following vocabulary terms:
1. Stagnant
2. Stifling
3. Sprawled
4. Infinitely
5.
Infernal
6. Monotony
Chapter 1: Questions
1. How has the author created an effective opening for this novel? What techniques or
details does he use to grab the audience’s interest?
Ms. Nardi 2014
English 9: In the Heat of the Night
2. What details does the author provide that make it clear that the setting of the novel is a
small town?
3. What two neighborhoods/districts are mentioned? What does this indicate to the reader?
4. The character of Sam Wood is developed in several instances in chapter 1 revealing him
to be a round character. Identify the personality traits he reveals to have in the following
situations:
a. His opinion of his job
b. The reference to the killing of the dog
c. The Dolores Purdy incident
d. The conversation with the night man at the restaurant
e. His ability to cope with crisis
5. How is the racial issue—a main theme in this book—clearly introduced in the chapter?
Use direct quotations and refer back to the conversation between Sam and Ralph.
6. The inciting incident of the novel is found in Chapter 1. What is it and what conflicts are
now apparent?
Ms. Nardi 2014
English 9: In the Heat of the Night
Chapter 2: Pre-Reading
Define the following vocabulary terms:
1. Strident
2. Fraternal
3. Homicide
4. Inert
Chapter 2: Questions
1. A round character is one that has 3 or more personality traits. What inferences can be
made about Gillespie’s personality from the following situations or statements?
a.
His physical description:
b. “Where is it?”
c. “You don’t have to tell me my job, I’ll tell you.”
d.
“Coloured couldn’t make money like that, or keep it if they did, and he knew it.”
2. Describe the encounter between Sam and Virgil. What characteristics of each stand out
during this instance? How is the reader affected by this encounter?
3. Investigate the figurative nuances of the name Virgil. It is an allusion. Why is it
significant? Think in terms of irony and character development.
4. Come up with a nutshell statement for each of the main characters thus far. One or two
words per person will suffice.
5. What effect does the final statement of this chapter have?
Ms. Nardi 2014
English 9: In the Heat of the Night
Chapter 3: Pre-Reading
Define the following vocabulary terms:
1. Confounded
2.
Transparent
3. Distasteful
4. Morgue
Chapter 3: Questions
1. In chapter 1 and 2 the racial issue has been hinted. Now we see a clear indication that
this issue will be a major item in the story. Illustrate this by specific reference to
speeches and the main actions of the characters.
2. What degree of authority does Gillespie hold within his own department? To what extent
do you feel that the opinions of the men are justified?
3. Compare the efficiency of Tibbs and Gillespie as investigators. How does this further
develop the contrasting onions we have of the two men?
4. Give the significance of the following:
a. “That’s what he has a shirt tail for.”
b. “Nobody could tell him that a coloured man could do anything he couldn’t do.”
c. “I don’t intend to sue you or Mr. Wood for false arrest.”
d. “Like I said, Virgil, we know our business down here. Go home.”
Ms. Nardi 2014
English 9: In the Heat of the Night
5. The author appears to have structured chapters 1 and 2 and 3 in a similar fashion. Discuss
with details.
Chapter 4: Pre-Reading
Define the following vocabulary terms:
1. Immense
2.
Diplomacy
3. Superficial
4. Intuition
5. panoramic
Chapter 4: Questions
1. Discuss the conflict between Sam Wood and Chief Gillespie in the opening paragraphs.
Account for Sam’s inner conflict regarding Virgil.
2.
Why does Gillespie ask Virgil to stay till the evening?
3. How does Gillespie interrogate Harvey Oberst? What does he conclude? Why?
4. Virgil determines that Oberst is innocent. What evidence does he present?
5. How does Gillespie react to Virgil’s reactions?
Ms. Nardi 2014
English 9: In the Heat of the Night
6. What does Virgil’s saying, “They call me Mr. Tibbs,” reveal about his character?
7.
How does George Endicott react upon first meeting Virgil? Contrast this to previous
reactions. What conclusion can you reach regarding Endicott’s personality at this time?
8. What details about Mantoli and his visit are furnished by Mr. Endicott?
Ms. Nardi 2014
English 9: In the Heat of the Night
Chapter 5: Pre-Reading
Define the following vocabulary terms:
1. Tersely
2.
Letterhead
3. Conspicuously
4. Vaguely
5. Alibi
Chapter 5: Questions
1. Account for Gillespie’s sudden hostility to Virgil at the opening of the chapter.
2.
What characteristic of Virgil is emphasized by his reaction to Gillespie’s outburst?
3. Who is Frank Shubert? Over what issue do he and Gillespie argue? What is the outcome?
4.
Find a quotation that demonstrates Gillespie’s racial prejudices.
5. In this chapter, Virgil reveals that he is a practical and informed individual. In his opinion,
why has he been selected to investigate the murder?
6. How does Mrs. Endicott react to meeting Virgil?
7. Who is Eric Kaufmann? What is his alibi for the evening?
Ms. Nardi 2014
English 9: In the Heat of the Night
8. Discuss the conflict in Sam’s mind as the chapter ends.
Chapter 6: Pre-Reading
1. What do you predict will happen in this chapter?
Chapter 6: Questions
1. Describe the irony of the meeting between Oberst and Tibbs. Why does Harvey finally
accept Virgil?
2.
What was Oberst’s alibi?
3. Delores Purdy has now entered the book in two instances. What purposes might the author
have for this character?
4.
How does Gillespie react to Virgil’s request that Harvey be released?
5. The Last part of the chapter is devoted to Sam Wood. Comment on the significance of the
statement, “this past night, at least, he had earned his pay.”
Ms. Nardi 2014
English 9: In the Heat of the Night
Chapter 7: Questions
1. How does Ralph come into prominence in this chapter? Give Gillespie’s opinion of Ralph
and his ability.
2.
In the interview between Virgil and Mr. Gottschalk certain information is put forward.
Summarize this conversation
3. Comment on the significance of this paring remark: “I wish all cops were like you. And if I
may, without offense, I’m glad to see that democracy has hit the South in something
besides the political sense.”
Ms. Nardi 2014
English 9: In the Heat of the Night
Chapter 8: Pre-Reading
Define the following vocabulary terms:
1. Conceded
2.
Status-quo
3. Ordinance
4. Tribute
5. Venom
Chapter 8: Questions
1. Discuss the significance of Reverend Amos Whiteburn’s comment, “As long as I have been
in this community, this is the first time I have had the honour to be consulted by the police.”
2.
Virgil goes to Reverend Whiteburn looking for information
a. What two things is he hoping to find?
b. How does he hope the reverend will help them?
3. Why is the Reverend surprised that a black person hasn’t been named the prime suspect?
4.
What behaviour of the town counselors reveals that they are prejudiced and bigoted?
5. How does Gillespie react to the attempts by the city counsel to pressure him?
6. Explain the significance of the exchange between Sam and Virgil about the “heat of the
night”. Consider the mood.
7. During their drive, two important developments occur regarding plot and character. Identify
them.
Ms. Nardi 2014
English 9: In the Heat of the Night
Chapter 9: Questions
1. Explain the significance of the opening paragraph of this chapter.
2.
Gillespie’s studying brings him to a conclusion regarding Virgil. What is this?
3. This whole chapter is devoted to Gillespie. What do the following episodes reveal about his
character development?
a. Kaufmann’s decision to carry a gun
b. The letter marked personal
c. The failure of Arnold to pass on the report
d. The arrest of Sam Wood
Ms. Nardi 2014
English 9: In the Heat of the Night
Chapter 10: Questions
1. The author continues to probe the character of the police chief. What three characteristics
of the man does the narrator comment on in the opening two pages of this chapter?
2.
Summarize the scene between Gillespie and the Purdy’s. How does their blaming Sam
complicate the plot? What is Virgil’s reaction?
3. Why does Virgil go back to visit the Endicott’s?
4.
How does Sam Wood react to the charges against him?
5. Why does Duena visit Sam? What is her request? What purpose does this episode serve
for the plot?
Ms. Nardi 2014
English 9: In the Heat of the Night
Chapter 11: Questions
1. The theme of racial prejudice and injustice is most forcefully brought out again in this
chapter. Illustrate how the following have been used to emphasize the hopelessness of the
black position in Wells:
a. The opening dialogue between Jess and Virgil
b. The attack on Virgil
c. The policeman’s reaction to Virgil’s statement: “I’ll prefer charges.”
d. The insulting of Dr. Harding
e. The treatment of Virgil by Mr. Purdy
Ms. Nardi 2014
English 9: In the Heat of the Night
Chapter 12: Questions
1. Describe Duena’s character as she is portrayed in the opening pages of this chapter. What
purposes are served by reintroducing her at this point? Discuss the significance of her
meeting with the mayor.
2.
“I haven’t finished my job. The world is full of a lot of people who never accomplished
anything because they wouldn’t see it through. I have two things left to do here: to get you
cleared and out of here and to deliver a murderer to Gillespie. Then I can go home.” Show
how Virgil accomplishes his mission by:
a. His interrogation of Sam
b. His reconsideration of the evidence regarding Delores
c. His account of Sam’s bank deposit
3. How long is it to be before the second part is accomplished?
Ms. Nardi 2014
English 9: In the Heat of the Night
Chapter 13: Questions
1. Compare and contrast the Sam Wood we meet in the early paragraphs of chapter 13 with
the man we knew at the beginning of the novel. How and why has he changed?
2.
Give the significance of the preliminary discussion between Sam and Virgil as they pass
time.
3. Virgil has promised that before the morning, Mantoli’s murderer will be arrested. How does
he slowly but methodically accomplish this task?
4.
To what extent is the conclusion of the chapter a surprise? Has there been foreshadowing
previously?
Ms. Nardi 2014
English 9: In the Heat of the Night
Chapter 14: Questions
1. This concluding chapter of the novel is devoted to the tying up of loose ends and the
unraveling of any mystery that remains. Comment on the following:
a. The solution to the murder plot
b. The furtherance of the romantic plot
c. The underlying racial issue
d. The effect of all these events on the town of Wells
e. The character changes the story has affected.
2.
Explain the significance of the title: “In the Heat of the Night” . Give possible reasons for
Ball’s selection. Brainstorm connotations for the word heat and make connections to the
plot.