Chapters 11-17

Chapter 11

1. How does Atticus advise Jem to react to Mrs. Dubose's taunts?

2. What does Mrs. Dubose say about the children's mother? How does Jem feel about this?

3. Atticus says that Mrs. Dubose is a model of real courage rather than “a man with a gun in his hand”. What does he mean? Do you think he is right?

Chapter 12

1. What new things does Scout learn here about how the black people live?

2. Explain why Calpurnia speaks differently in the Finch household, and among her neighbours at church.

Chapter 13

1. Why does Aunt Alexandra come to stay with Atticus and his family? What is she like?

2. Alexandra thinks Scout is “dull” (not clever). Why does she think this, and is she right? Are all adults good at knowing how clever young people are?

Chapter 14

1. Why does Alexandra think Atticus should dismiss Calpurnia? How does Atticus respond to the suggestion?

2. Why is Scout pleased when Jem fights her back? Why is she less pleased when he tells Atticus about Dill?  What do we learn from Dill's account of his running away?

Chapter 15

1. What is the “nightmare” that now descends upon the children?   What was (and is) the Ku Klux Klan? What do you think of Atticus's comment “The Ku Klux's gone. It'll never come back."
2. How does Jem react when Atticus tells him to go home, and why?  What persuades the lynching-party to give up their attempt on Tom's life?

Chapter 16

1. What “subtle change” does Scout notice in her father?
2. How does Reverend Sykes help the children see and hear the trial? Is he right to do?

3. Comment on Judge Taylor's attitude to his job. Does he take the trial seriously or not?

Chapter 17

1. What are the main points in Heck Tate's evidence? What does Atticus show in his cross-examination of Sheriff Tate?

2. What do we learn indirectly of the home life of the Ewell family in this chapter?
3. What do you learn from Bob Ewell's evidence?
4. Why does Atticus ask Bob Ewell to write out his name? What does the jury see when he does this?