Study Questions – To Kill a Mockingbird
Chapters 1-3
Identify with as much detail as you can:
Setting: Maycomb, Alabama – small farming community in the 1930s (during the Great Depression)
Narrator: Scout (Jean Louise Finch) – she is telling the story as an adult reflecting back on her childhood, she’s
6 when the events of the novel begin
Jeremy Atticus Finch (Jem) - Scout’s brother, 10 at the beginning of the novel
Calpurnia – works for the Finches, cook/maid, African-American, takes care of Scout and Jem, authoritative
Miss Rachel Haverford – Dill’s aunt, lives next door to the Finches
Mr. and Mrs. Radley – Boo’s parents, keep to themselves, he walks to and from town and doesn’t speak, she
sometimes visited neighbors and watered flowers
Arthur Radley (Boo) – we are told that he got into trouble as a teen and has been held captive in his house since
then
Mr. Nathan Radley – Boo’s brother, like his father
Miss Stephanie Crawford – town gossip, she is who Jem gets all of his information about the Radleys from
Answer study questions with as much specific detail as you can, using page references where possible.
Ch. 1
Begins with a “hook” – how Jem broke his arm; Scout says the Ewells started it, and Jem says it started with Dill
coming to Maycomb
The kids’ boundaries are from the Radleys to Mrs. Dubose; as they grow, these boundaries will expand, both
physically and emotionally
A major theme is courage; in Part 1 it is exemplified in the kids’ attempts to get Boo Radley to come out; later on
there will be examples of moral courage
Motif – a recurring idea/thought that acts as a unifying device and develops a commentary on characterization or
ides in the novel
1. What does the Radley house represent to the children? – mystery, intrigue, they think it’s haunted, superstition
surrounds it
2. What was the first “dare” made concerning the house? (13) that Jem wouldn’t get past the Radley front gate
3. Who made the first dare and who carried it out? (13) Dill made it and Jem did it
4. How does Harper Lee make the house and the Radleys seem so mysterious? (8-13) description of the house,
almost everything she says about them is hearsay/gossip – is it really true?? (this information comes from Miss
Stephanie)
5. Briefly describe the Finch family background. What was the “disturbance between the North and the South”?
(3-5) the Civil War; Finch family has deep Southern roots, but Atticus and Jack have broken with tradition by
leaving Finch’s Landing; Alexandra stays behind – she is the spokesperson for tradition in the novel
6. Explain the differences between Dill’s family situation and the Finch family. Dill is passed from family
member to family member; the Finches are very close-knit
7. Who is Jean Louise? Scout, narrator, tomboy, Jem’s little sister
8. What is the difference between Jen and Scout’s reaction to school? (18)Scout hates it, Jem loves it, he tells her
it will get better – Jem is more accepting of school
9. What does Scout tell Miss Caroline about Walter Cunningham? Why does she tell her? (20) that the
Cunninghams never take anything they can’t pay back; Scout respects people for their integrity
Miss Caroline represents progressive classroom education
One of the major themes in the novel is classroom education vs. real world education – Lee thinks real
world education is more effective
Miss Caroline also has a “blind spot” (we see this in her reaction/treatment to Walter Cunningham) – this is a
major motif in the novel
Lee will constantly mention the Radley house to keep it in the reader’s mind (23)
10. How does Atticus explain the Ewell family? (30-31) he talks about compromise, he says they are members of
an “exclusive society” that don’t have to obey the law
Burris Ewell incident represents another Miss Caroline blind spot (27)
11. According to Atticus, why must Scout attend school? (30) she’s a member of the common folk and they must
obey the law
Point of view theme – Scout will turn to this advice many times throughout the novel – this is the real source of her
education (30)
12. Describe what you know so far about Atticus’ personality. (5) lawyer, very tan, logical, tries to put himself in
other people’s shoes to understand their problems, patient, gentle, listens when kids talk, tolerant of other
people
Last line of Ch. 3 is a power line – a stylistic device used by the author to add emphasis to the line
Briefly summarize Chapters 1-3
 Class distinction among whites evidenced by Cunninghams and Ewells
 Scout’s formal education begins and so does her education in life with Atticus’ advice about considering
other viewpoints
 Ch. 1-2 mysteries: Jem’s broken arm and Boo Radley – these will be solved by the end of the novel
 Pay attention to the last lines of each chapter – power lines!!!
Chapters 4-8
Ch. 4
13. What ‘treasures’ do Scout and Jem find in the Radley’s oak tree? How do these finds heighten the mystery of
the Radley house? (33) 2 pieces of chewing gum, small box with 2 Indian head pennies – someone is using
the Radley tree as a hiding place
Radley knothole is part of the secrets motif
Jem – “Hush a minute, I’m thinking” – Jem is struggling with problems while Scout isn’t – he is starting to
grow up (34)
“Grown folks don’t have hidin’ places” – when and how adults hide things is a key theme in the novel (35)
14. What is one of the stories the children tell about Boo? he dies years ago and they stuffed him in the
chimney (43); he bit off Mrs. Radley’s finger (39)
Power line – “Jem was a born hero” – foreshadowing (39)
15. How does Atticus react to the children’s dramatizations about the Radley family? He stays calm and tells
them their game better not be about the Radleys (40-41)
Jem tells Scout to stop acting like a girl – gender prejudice is a theme (41)
Ch. 5
16. Who is Miss Maudie Atkinson? Describe the children’s relationship with her. Lives across from the
Finches, reasonable, children like her – especially Scout (she grows closer to her when Jem and Dill become
close) (44)
“reasonable characters” – Miss Maudie and Atticus; look for more as we read (45)
17. Describe Jem’s attempt to deliver a note to Boo. What does Atticus do when he discovers what Jem, Dill
and Scout are attempting? They use a fishing pole , attach a note to the end of it, try to stick it through a shutter;
Atticus simply tells the kids that he hopes they will stop tormenting Boo – it’s none of their business (46, 49)
Atticus gives the kids a lot of latitude before he approaches them about the Boo Radley problem – he doesn’t try
to overpower his kids, he wants them to figure it out (49)
Ch. 6
18. Why do Jem, Dill, and Scout wait until the last night of summer to try to peek into the Radley’s back
window? Because if Boo kills them they will miss school instead of summer vacation (51)
“Angel May” – gender prejudice
19. Describe in detail what happens when the children are caught in their prank. They lie to the adults about
playing strip poker by the fishpool, Jem says Dill won his pants (54-55)
20. What is significant about the neighbors’ conclusion as to whom they think was in the Radley’s yard.
They think it was a “Negro” – shows the prejudice and racism in the town
Lee’s narrative technique – the reader stays home with Scout while Jem gets his pants – so she can create
suspense (in the next chapter, something about Jem’s pants is revealed)
Motif – “it’s not time to worry yet”
 This line is repeated throughout the novel
 Scout uses it as comfort
Theme – courage: Jem confronts a lot things in this chapter
 The Radley house
 Adults
 Nathan Radley’s shotgun
 The fact that he did something wrong
Ch. 7
21. How does Scout feel about second grade?
Doesn’t like it – worse than first grade; she does like that she gets to go home with Jem (57-58)
22. What does Jem reveal to Scout about his pants and who does he think is responsible? They were poorly sewn
up – thinks the Radleys did it (58)
23. What five additional treasures do Jem and Scout find in the Radley oak? Why do they think the treasures
are for them? 2 dolls carved out of soap, pack of gum, medal, twine, pocket watch with aluminum knife (60)
Symbol – watches
 Atticus and someone else have given Jem a watch…try to figure out what this means
24. The children suspect various characters as having left the treasures. Cite each “suspicious” character and
the reason why Jem and Scout eliminate each possibility.
 Mr. Avery – he carves
 Miss Stephanie’s sweetheart – he lives in the country
 Miss Maudie – can’t chew gum and she probably wouldn’t have a watch and chain (60-61)
25. What does Mr. Nathan Radley do to the oak tree and how do Jem and Scout react?
He fills it with cement, the kids get very upset and Jem cries (62-63)
Ch. 8
26. Why does Scout react to the snow by yelling “The world’s endin’, Atticus…!”
She’s never seen it before and doesn’t know what it is (64)
27. What is the significance of the reference point of Appomattox in Mr. Avery’s remark, “It hasn’t snowed in
Maycomb since Appomattox.”?
Uses it to comment on how long it’s been since it snowed in Maycomb – reference to Civil War (65)
28. Why do you think Boo Radley covered Scout as she watched the fire? How did she react when she learned
the identity of her benefactor? Because he’s nice – she almost throws up when she finds out it’s him (72)
The children are threatened by snow (something that is just unfamiliar and can’t hurt them) and a fire
(something that can actually harm them). This will parallel to the Boo Radley plot; Boo is someone who is
unfamiliar to the children, but he doesn’t seem to want to harm them. In Part 2, we will meet someone who is
like the fire; someone who wants to harm them.
29. What character traits does Miss Maudie show when she reacts to the burning of her house?
She’s optimistic – she hated her house and thought of burning it herself (73)
Ch. 8 is a transition from a childish fear of Boo to a justified fear of the fire.
Motif – “it’s not time to worry yet” (69) Jem says this to Scout
Briefly summarize Chapters 4-8
Chapters 9-11
Ch. 9
Introduces the 2nd major plot strand in the novel – the Tom Robinson trial
We move from childhood terrors (Boo) to adult terrors (racial prejudice, etc.)
30. What is Maycomb’s “usual disease”? Who coined this phrase?
The tendency of people in the community to just follow what everyone else does – not to think for themselves;
coined by Atticus (88)
31. What does Cecil Jacobs announce at school about Atticus, and what does Scout do about it?
He said that Atticus defends “niggers”; she prepares to fight him (74)
The Cecil Jacobs incident introduces the motif of losing battles. Scout will come to understand that losing is not
the point. (74)
32. Who is Tom Robinson? Why is Atticus defending him? Why does Judge Taylor appoint Atticus?
Black man that Atticus is defending; says if he didn’t defend him he couldn’t hold his head up in town; Judge
Taylor appoints him because he thinks he’s the only one who can handle it (75)
Atticus and Maudie deliver lines that shape the children’s ideas about race. They both insist on calling people
by a single name. Atticus says, “I’m simply defending a Negro – his name is Tom Robinson.” Maudie says,
“His name is Arthur and he’s alive.” (75)
Theme – courage: Atticus says, “Simply because we were licked…” (76). Scout will learn to fight in the face of
assured loss. This also ties in with the losing battles motif.
33. For what does Scout receive a spanking from Uncle Jack? Why does Atticus believe she deserved it?
For fighting with her cousin Francis; she deserves it because Atticus had already warned her about fighting (83,
87)
Losing battles motif - Scout loses the battle with Francis
Theme – courage: Atticus asks Scout not to let words/names bother her (87)
34. What comparison does Scout use to describe her relationship with Aunt Alexandra and what does this
reveal about her character? compares her aunt to Mt. Everest – “she was cold and there”; shows that Alexandra
is stuck in her ways (77)
Religious allusion – “Let this cup pass from you, eh?”
This compares Atticus to Jesus. He will sacrifice himself for the sin of others. Atticus will fight the racial battle
of the Tom Robinson case for Maycomb’s well-intentioned citizens (78).
35. Explain Scout’s reasoning regarding her “cussing frequently.” She thinks that Atticus will think she learned
it at school and she won’t have to go back (79)
Comment on education – education in school can bring some students down (like if it exposes them to things
like cussing) (78-79)
36. What has Scout learned about injustice from Miss Caroline and the townspeople?
She learns that everyone is going to judge Atticus because he’s defending a black man – they’re prejudice
Ch. 10
This chapter is about the children judging Atticus. In this chapter, his physical courage impresses them.
However, later on his mental/moral courage will impress them.
37. Explain why Scout is upset that Atticus is “so old.”
b/c he wasn’t like the other fathers – she didn’t think anyone admired him (89)
38. Why does Atticus tell the children about mockingbirds? How does Miss Maudie help this explanation?
b/c they were learning how to shoot – Maudie says they only make music for people to enjoy (90)
Introduces the mockingbird motif/symbol – innocent creature that only brings pleasure. The mad dog is a
symbol for other “creatures” who are not innocent.
39. Why does the sheriff ask Atticus to shoot Tim Johnson?
b/c Atticus is the best shot in Maycomb County (96)
Blindness/blind spot motif – Atticus doesn’t have good vision and he has to take off his glasses to shoot the
dog. He sees clearly when he has to.
40. What explanation does Miss Maudie give for Atticus putting his gun down 30 years ago?
Atticus realized that God gave him an unfair advantage over most living things, so he wouldn’t shoot unless he
had to (98)
41. What does Jem tell Scout to do about their father’s shooting of the dog?
Don’t say anything about it (98)
Shows that Jem is maturing
Ch. 11
Boundary motif
 1st paragraph introduces it
 By the end of the chapter, the children have pretty much mastered the physical boundaries of their
neighborhood.
 Part 2 introduces that moral, social, emotional, and political boundaries (99)
Notice the description of Mrs. Dubose (99-100)
Mrs. Dubose is the first adult to insult the kids – their boundaries are expanding (102)
42. What does Atticus do that causes Scout to say he was the “bravest man who ever lived”?
He talks to Mrs. Dubose (100)
43. What does Jem do to Mrs. Dubose’s camellia bushes and why?
Uses Scout’s baton to cut off the tops of all of them b/c she was saying mean things to them about Atticus and
his family (103)
“It’s not time to worry yet” motif (104)
Atticus’ reasoning for taking the Tom Robinson case is to avoid being a hypocrite – he couldn’t live with
himself if he didn’t take it (104-105)
44. What does Mrs. Dubose want from Jem as payment for his crime?
Come to her everyday after school and Saturdays for a month and read to her (105)
Lee’s narrative technique – she mentions the Radley place – it’s her way of keeping it in our minds (105)
45. How does Atticus explain the term “nigger-lover” to Scout?
Says it doesn’t mean anything – ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody is favoring Negroes
over and above themselves (108)
46. What change had occurred in Mrs. Dubose by the last week Scout and Jem went to her home?
Instead of the alarm clock sounding to release them, Mrs. Dubose would just say, “that’ll do” and allow them to
leave (109)
Definition of a “lady” – Jem and Atticus have different ideas about what a lady is (112)
47. How does Atticus explain “courage” to Jem?
It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what
(112)
Briefly summarize Chapters 9-11