To Kill a Mockingbird chapters 16 - 23
Chapter 16:"Don't talk like that in front of them."
1. In the eyes of the community, what is Dlophus Raymond's problem?
2. Why isn't Miss Maudie going court?
3. What fact about Atticus's defense of Tom Robinson does Scout learn from the Idler's
Club?
4. Where do the three children sit for the trial? What does this tell you? (two things?
three things?)
CHAPTER 17
1. a. Choose one paragraph containing excellent, vivid description.
b. Reread the paragraph and copy the 3 most vivid sentences in your notebook.
c. Explain what techniques Harper Lee uses to paint a picture in the description.
2. “Against the fence… were six… jars holding brilliant red geraniums, cared for as
tenderly as if they belonged to Miss Maudie Atkinson… People said they were
Mayella Ewell’s” (Lee 170).
a. Picture how this family lives, and then imagine what qualities about
Mayella Ewell her geraniums might reveal.
b. List the qualities and explain why the geranium detail is unexpected
considering who the Ewells are.
3. Speculate: What could Mr. Ewell’s being left handed prove?
CHAPTER 18
1. “Mayella looked as if she tried to keep clean, and I was reminded of the row of
red geraniums in the Ewell yard” (Lee 179).
a. Lee expertly mentions the red geraniums again. How does this detail plus
the detail of Mayella’s trying to keep clean make the reader feel sorry for
Mayella?
2. Mayella’s described as a “steady-eyed cat with a twitchy tail” on page 181.
a. What does this detail reveal about her?
b. This detail makes the reader see Mayella in a negative light. What might be Lee’s
purpose in having the reader see Mayella in a negative light, when earlier she
makes us feel sorry for Mayella?
3. ‘“I wondered if anybody ever called her “ma’am” or “Miss Mayella” in her life…
What on earth was her life like? I soon found out”’ (Lee 182).
a. What was Mayella’s life like (page 182-183)? Give the three saddest details.
4. What disability does Tom Robinson have and how did he get it?
CHAPTER 19 Contrast Mayella’s facts about her and Tom Robinson’s relationship
(chapter 18) to Tom Robinson’s facts about their relationship. Who do you believe and
why
To Kill a Mockingbird – Chapters 20-23
Chapter 20
1. Read pages 200 and 201.
-Comment on why you think Lee put Dolphus Raymond’s character in this chapter.
- Why does he open up to Scout and Dill, children, and not white adults?
- How is Dolphus Raymond similar to Atticus/Miss Maudie? How is he different?
2. Read pages 202 to 205. Write the three most convincing quotes from Atticus’
closing argument.
Chapter 21
1. Read through page 209. Do you think the jury deliberating for so long a time is a
good or a bad thing for Tom Robinson? Explain why.
2. All the Negroes in the balcony stand for Atticus. Why do they do this and what
does it show?
Chapter 22
1. Atticus remarks when an injustice is done, “only the children weep” (Lee 213).
-Why do you think this is? What does it say about youth?
2. What is the feeling among the white neighbors (Maudie excluded) about the
verdict?
3. Read page 212. How does Aunt Alexandra react to the verdict, and what does
this show about her?
Chapter 23
1. Atticus says, “Jem, see if you can stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute. I
destroyed his last shred of credibility at that trial, if he had any to begin with.
The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does. So if
spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating,
that’s something I’ll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I’d
rather it be me than that houseful of children out there. You understand?” (Lee
218).
- What does Atticus expect Jem to learn here?
2. Atticus’ definition of trash: “As you grow older you’ll see white men cheat
black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you
forget it—whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is,
how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash” (Lee
220).
Aunt Alexandra’s definition of trash: “…You can scrub Walter Cunningham
till he shines, you can put him in shoes and a new suit, but he’ll never be like
Jem. Besides, there’s a drinking streak in that family a mile wide. Finch women
aren’t interested in that sort of people” (Lee 224). “…He—is—trash, that’s why
you can’t play with him, picking up his habits and Lord-knows-what” (Lee 225).
-Explain the difference between these two views and what each says about
the character.
3. List the categories in Jem’s social hierarchy—the four kids of folks in the
world. What kinds of folks are in Scout’s hierarchy? What do these categories
show about each?