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Study Guide – To Kill a Mockingbird, Chapter 8-9
I.
VOCABULARY
Chapter 8
aberration (n)
caricature (n)
cordial (adj)
perpetrate (v)
procure (v)
quelled (v)
unfathomable (adj)
Chapter 9
analogous (adj)
attire (n)
bawled (v)
compensation (n)
deportment (n)
evade (v)
gallantly (adv)
gravitate (v)
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impaired (adj)
indecision (n)
ingenuous (adj)
isolate (v)
mortify (v)
provoke (v)
subdue (v)
tarried (v)
II.
LITERARY TERMS AND EXAMPLES – Define and apply the following terms to this story.
conflict
man v.
Internal or External
man v.
Internal or External
man v.
Internal or External
man v.
Internal or External
What conflicts occur in these two chapters?
symbolism
Elaborate on the following symbols: snow and snow-covered mud man
paradox
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What is the paradox in Miss Maudie’s attitude after she has lost everything and the cuts on her
hands?
parallel narrative
What two storylines are developing?
How does the use of parallelism function in a story and why might an author employ this device?
III.
QUESTIONS AND ANALYSIS – Answer the following questions using complete sentences
and correct punctuation.
Chapter 8
1. Why does Scout quiz Atticus about his visit to the Radley house?
2. How much does Atticus tell her about the Radleys?
3. What is the “near libel” which Jem puts in the front yard?
4. How do Miss Maudie and Atticus react to it?
5. Why does Atticus save Miss Maudie's oak rocking chair?
6. When Atticus asks Scout about the blanket around her shoulders, what does Jem realize?
7. Explain what Atticus means by telling Jem not to let his discovery “inspire” him to “further
glory”?
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8. Is there any reason why Jem might now do as his father says?
Chapter 9
9.
How does Atticus feel he should defend Tom Robinson?
10.
Is it usual for (white) lawyers to do their best for black clients in Alabama at this time?
11.
Scout and Jem have “mixed feelings” about Christmas. What are these feelings and why?
12.
Uncle Jack Finch tells Scout that she is growing out of her pants. What does this mean and
why might he say it?
13.
When Francis talks to Scout he reveals an unpleasant feature of Aunt Alexandra. What is
this?
14.
Does Scout learn anything from overhearing Atticus's conversation with Uncle Jack? What
might this be?
15.
Read the final sentence of this chapter. Explain in your own words what it means and why it
might be important in the story.
TKaM Chapter 08-09