Questions & Answers for Tkam
Answer key for To Kill a Mockingbird
Chapters 22-31
Chapter 22
1. Although Atticus did not want his children in court, he defends Jem's right to know what has happened. Explain, in your own words, Atticus's reasons for this. (Look at the speech beginning, “This is their home, sister.”
Atticus feels that the adults have made the world the way that it is and the children have to learn to live in that world. They can’t hide from it and need to be exposed to it as early as possible.
2. Miss Maudie tells Jem that “things are never as bad as they seem.” What reasons does she give for this view?
She names all of the people who helped Tom Robinson, such as the black community, Atticus, and Judge Taylor.
3. Why does Dill say that he will be a clown when he grows up? Do you think he would keep this ambition for long?
He wants to laugh at people all of the time. Answers will vary for the second question.
4. This story is set in the 1930s but was published in 1960. Have attitudes to racism remained the same (in the USA and the UK) or have there been any changes (for the better or worse) since then, in your view?
Answers will vary.
5. Why does Bob Ewell feel so angry with Atticus? Do you think his threat is a real one, and how might he try to “get” Atticus?
He feels Atticus made him look bad in front of the entire town. Answers will vary for the second question.
Chapter 23
6. What do you think of Atticus's reaction to Bob Ewell's challenge? Should he have ignored Bob, retaliated or done something else?
He did the right thing by walking away. Bob was looking for a fight and Atticus wouldn’t give it to him.
7. What is “circumstantial evidence”? What has it got to do with Tom's conviction?
Circumstantial evidence is evidence that doesn’t absolutely prove guilt. Tom’s conviction was based entirely on circumstantial evidence, and not good c.e. at that.
8. What does Atticus tell Scout about why the jury took so long to convict
Chapters 22-31
Chapter 22
1. Although Atticus did not want his children in court, he defends Jem's right to know what has happened. Explain, in your own words, Atticus's reasons for this. (Look at the speech beginning, “This is their home, sister.”
Atticus feels that the adults have made the world the way that it is and the children have to learn to live in that world. They can’t hide from it and need to be exposed to it as early as possible.
2. Miss Maudie tells Jem that “things are never as bad as they seem.” What reasons does she give for this view?
She names all of the people who helped Tom Robinson, such as the black community, Atticus, and Judge Taylor.
3. Why does Dill say that he will be a clown when he grows up? Do you think he would keep this ambition for long?
He wants to laugh at people all of the time. Answers will vary for the second question.
4. This story is set in the 1930s but was published in 1960. Have attitudes to racism remained the same (in the USA and the UK) or have there been any changes (for the better or worse) since then, in your view?
Answers will vary.
5. Why does Bob Ewell feel so angry with Atticus? Do you think his threat is a real one, and how might he try to “get” Atticus?
He feels Atticus made him look bad in front of the entire town. Answers will vary for the second question.
Chapter 23
6. What do you think of Atticus's reaction to Bob Ewell's challenge? Should he have ignored Bob, retaliated or done something else?
He did the right thing by walking away. Bob was looking for a fight and Atticus wouldn’t give it to him.
7. What is “circumstantial evidence”? What has it got to do with Tom's conviction?
Circumstantial evidence is evidence that doesn’t absolutely prove guilt. Tom’s conviction was based entirely on circumstantial evidence, and not good c.e. at that.
8. What does Atticus tell Scout about why the jury took so long to convict