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Questions tkm

55 important questions on Questions tkm

Where and when do the events in TKM take place? Is this a backdrop or an integral setting? Explain your answer

In 1933-1935, in Maycomb County, Alabama. Integral setting, because it’s local problems (racism).

Who are: Atticus Finch, Jean Louise (Scout) Finch, Jem Finch, Calpurnia, Charles Baker (Dill) Harris, Arthur (Boo) Radley, Walter Cunningham, and Burris Ewell?

Atticus Finch is a lawyer and Scout and Jem's father. Scout is the narrator of the story.

Jem is Scout's older brother.

Calpurnia is the Finch family's cook, maid and nanny.

Dill is Miss Rachael's nephew, a young boy who visits his aunt and plays with Scout and Jem in the summertime.

Boo Radley is a mystery to the children; he never leaves his house.

Walter Cunningham is a student in Scout's class, one of The Cunninghams.

Burris Ewell is also a student in Scout's class; he is one of The Ewells.

What did Dill dare Jem to do?

Dill dared Jem to run up and touch the Radley house.

What was Scout's first "crime" at school?

Scout's first crime was that she could already read.

Why did Scout rub Walter Cunningham's nose in the dirt?

Scout stood up for Walter in class and tried to explain the Cunningham ways to Miss Caroline. For her explanations, Scout got in more trouble with Miss Caroline, so she took
out her revenge on Walter.

Scout said, " He ain't company, Cal, he's just a Cunningham." What did she mean by that, and what was Cal's answer?

Scout meant that Finches were better than Cunninghams, and for that reason she didn't have to treat Walter as company. Calpurnia told Scout that she should treat anyone who came to visit her home as "company" and show him every courtesy.

What two mistakes did Miss Caroline make on the first day of school?

Miss Caroline's first mistake was to offer Walter Cunningham money; the Cunninghams don't take anything they can't pay back. Her second mistake was trying to tell Burris Ewell to go home and wash out his "cooties."

Why didn't the Ewells have to go to school?

the truant officer enforced the laws for the Ewells, Mr. Ewell would probably be jailed. Without their father, wretched as he was, the children would be worse off than if they simply did not go to school. Because the Ewell children's home life was so unusual, the
authorities bent the rules for them.

What did Scout and Jem find in the Radleys' tree?

They found gum and two Indian head pennies.

What was the Boo Radley game?

Jem, Dill and Scout reenacted the few facts and many peculiar stories they had heard about the Radleys.

Who is Miss Maudie? What does she think of the Radleys?

Miss Maudie is another neighbor, about the age of Atticus. She is open-minded and enjoys the children's company. She thinks they have a right to do whatever they want to do as long as they are not bothering anyone else, and she believes they have a right to their privacy.

Why do Dill and Jem want to give Boo Radley a note? What does Atticus say when he finds out about their plan?

They want to invite him out to play with them; they think he might enjoy that. Atticus tells the boys to leave Arthur Radley alone, that if he wanted to be outside, he would. Atticus also tells them that the proper way to extend the invitation would be at the Radley front door instead of putting a note on a fishing pole and sticking that through the window.

How did Jem lose his pants? What did he find when he went back for them?

Jem, Scout and Dill went to look into the Radley house. When they were discovered, they ran. Jem got caught on the fence, and in an effort to free himself, he took off his pants and left them on the fence. When he went back for them, they were mended and folded,
sitting on the fence.

What else did Jem and Scout find in the Radleys' tree? Why would there be no more surprises in the tree?

They found a ball of twine, two figures (resembling themselves) carved from soap, and a broken watch. Mr. Nathan Radley cemented the hole closed.

What happened to Miss Maudie's house? What was her reaction?

Miss Maudie left fires going (for warmth) and her house burned down. As always, she put her most optimistic foot forward and seemed not to mind too much.

Why is a minor character such as Cecil Jacobs still important in the story?

Cecil Jacobs was a boy at Scout's school who first made her aware that Atticus was defending a black man.

What "disaster" happened at Christmas between Scout and Francis? What did Scout's Uncle Jack learn from Scout and Atticus?

Scout and Francis got into a fight because Francis was fussing with Scout about Atticus' defending a black man. Scout couldn't stand all the things Francis was calling Atticus, so she hit him square in the mouth. She didn't really understand what Francis said, but she knew it wasn't complimentary. Uncle Jack learned that children don't have to know everything

What brave thing does Atticus do in Chapter 10? Why are Scout and Jem shocked?

Atticus shoots a mad dog. They are shocked because until this day, they think of Atticus as having no real talents or anything to be proud of. He never touched a gun, to their knowledge, and he did not believe in fighting. Thus, they are very surprised to find out
about "One-Shot Finch."

What did Jem do when Mrs. Dubose said Atticus "lawed for niggers?"

He took Scout's birthday baton and, waving it madly, cut the tops off of all of Mrs. Dubose's camellia bushes.

What was Jem's punishment? What did Jem learn from his encounter with Mrs. Dubose and following her death?

He had to repair the damage as well as he could, and he had to read to Mrs. Dubose each
afternoon after school for a month. He learned that people aren't always what they seem, that one can't understand someone else until one has all the facts, and, most importantly, that there is a different kind of courage than physical courage.

Explain how the “Mad Dog Tale” could be considered allegorical.

Allegorical, because the mad dog symbolises danger, Atticus represents justice and the children are a symbol of innocence.

For the first time in years, Maycomb endures a real winter. How is this a Gothic element?

It’s spooky, because the people of Maycomb are blocked in, can’t escape.

What point(s) of view is/are used in TKM? Give examples (= quote) to show the difference between the child narrator and the adult narrator.

It’s both seen from the perspective of Scout as a girl and as a mature woman. First person narration.

How does Jem change?

Jem is growing up. He is trying to make sense of things he sees, trying to be like Atticus,and trying to put behind him childish games and youthful pranks. Consequently, he is moody sometimes and occasionally seems to lord his authority over Scout. She resents his new "airs."

What does Scout learn about Calpurnia?

Scout learns that Cal leads a double life. She talks and acts like her black friends and neighbors when she is with them, and she talks and acts more like white people when she is with them. Scout thinks this is interesting and asks to visit Cal at her home one day

Who was waiting for the children when they came home from the church service? Why had she come?

Aunt Alexandra was waiting for them. She had come to stay and "help out" while Atticus would be busy with the Robinson trial.

"Aunt Alexandra fitted into the world of Maycomb like a hand in a glove, but never into the world of Jem and me.” Explain.

Alexandra knew all the proper social things to say and do, and she knew a great deal of the history of the local families. She joined some clubs and entertained at her home, and generally did fit right into the town's society. However, Alexandra didn't understand or
agree with the values by which Atticus was raising his children. Therefore, she did not understand the children's behavior. Because their value systems were different, they were more often than not at odds.

Atticus and Alexandra disagree about how to deal with the children. How does Atticus handle the situation?

Atticus makes the children obey Alexandra, but he lets them know that their relationship with him will always be the same as it was. He tries to appease Alexandra when he can, but on the major issues, he puts his foot down.

Describe Jem and Scout’s relationship through these chapters as Jem matures.

Jem and Scout seem to grow apart, but they don't really. They fuss more often than they had, mostly because Scout resents Jem's telling her what to do. Actually, though, they are still very close and join forces when their pride is at stake.

Why did Dill run away from home back to Maycomb?

Dill had everything a boy could want, except his parents didn't spend any time with him. He didn't feel like they needed him.

What did Mr. Heck Tate’s mob want?

They wanted to make sure Atticus and Tom Robinson would be all right.

What was the purpose of Walter Cunningham’s mob?

Cunningham's mob wanted to get to Tom Robinson to inflict their own justice upon him.
If that meant they had to beat up Atticus, they were willing to do that.

Who are Tom Robinson, Mr. Gilmer, Bob Ewell, Mayella Ewell, and Judge Taylor?

Tom Robinson supposedly raped Mayella Ewell, Bob Ewell's daughter. Mr. Gilmer is the prosecuting attorney. Judge Taylor will be the judge during Tom's trial.

What was the importance of Mayella’s bruises being primarily on the right-hand side of her face?

Bruises on her right side indicate that a left-handed person inflicted the wounds.

What was Mayella's account of the incident with Tom Robinson?

Mayella said she asked Tom to come into the yard to break up a chiffarobe. When shewent into the house to get him a nickel, he had followed her in and then he grabbed her around the neck and hit her. He "chunked [her] on the floor an' choked [her] 'n took
advantage of [her]." Her father came in and was standing over her, and then she fainted.

What was Tom's handicap? Why was it important to his case?

Tom's left arm had been rendered useless in an accident. He could not have bruised. Mayella's right side and he more than probably would not have physically been able to force himself on a strong, violently resisting young woman.

What do Dill and Scout learn from Mr. Raymond?

Dill and Scout learn that people aren't always as they appear to be. They learn that Mr.
Raymond lives as he does because that's simply what he wants to do. Since people could
never accept that, he gives them a "reason to latch onto" so they can accept his behavior.
(One might note that Boo Radley does as he pleases, but gives people no reason to latch
onto, and people make up their own reasons, no matter how ridiculous.)

What were Atticus' closing remarks to the jury?

He said there was no medical evidence to suggest that Mayella had been raped, that the
only evidence was the questionable testimony of two witnesses. He painted a picture of
Mayella as a victim of poverty and ignorance, a lonely young woman who tempted and
kissed a Negro and then had to get rid of him, the evidence, of her crime against society's
unspoken laws. He tried to remind the jury of Thomas Jefferson's words that "all men are
created equal," and that their job as a jury was to give a fair trial to the defendant.

Why did Jem cry?

Jem cried because he was shocked at the injustice of the jury, people from his own town,
which he had always considered above such prejudice.

What was "'round the back steps" when Calpurnia came in on Monday morning?

The black community had left all kinds of food for Atticus and his family as a gesture of their thanks for his defending Tom Robinson.

What was the significance of Maudie's two little cakes and one large one?

Maudie had two little cakes for Scout and Dill, but Jem got a slice from the big cake. This was Maudie's symbolic way of saying she accepted Jem as a young man instead of a boy.

How does the novel portray its African American characters? Are there elements of racism in these portrayals?

They’re not well developed, like the white characters.

What's the novel's take on the American legal system? What are its strengths, and what are its weaknesses?

Strengths: they’re striving to create some kind of legal system.

Weaknesses: unequal, because white people are presumed to be innocent.

According to the novel, what happens in the process of growing up? What factors determine what kind of adult a child becomes?

You learn that people have both good and bad aspects. You’re shaped by your family and surroundings.

Does Bob Ewell have bad morals or no morals? What's the difference?

Bad morals: raised the wrong way, but can be held accountable. No morals: like a beast, can’t be held accountable.

Describe Bob Ewell's meeting with Atticus at the post office. What is Atticus' reaction to Ewell's threats?

Bob Ewell wanted to fight with Atticus. Atticus just said he was too old to fight, and he walked away. Bob Ewell threatened to get even. Atticus rationally understands that Ewell is upset, and he allows Mr. Ewell the right to be upset. However, he does not believe that Bob Ewell would actually do any terrible physical harm to anyone.

Jem said. "I think I'm beginning to understand why Boo Radley's stayed shut up in the house all this time . . . it's because he wants to stay inside." Why does he say that?

The world is starting to look mighty complicated to Jem. The jury decision, all the talk about social class and the problem of what exactly "background" means, and Mr. Raymond's false drinking problem are all weighing on his mind, and he's trying to get
things all sorted out with nice, neat definitions. He is learning that things in the real world just aren't easy to sort-out and understand.

Mrs. Merriweather of the missionary circle complains about her cooks and field hands. What does that tell us about her?

As a member of the missionary circle, she is very concerned about the personal welfare of many Africans, but in her own back yard, Mrs. Merriweather is as prejudiced as she can be.

What happened to Tom Robinson?

Tom was shot when he tried to escape from prison.

What did Scout hear Miss Gates say at the courthouse? In class, Miss Gates said, "That's the difference between America and Germany. We are a democracy and Germany is a dictatorship. … We don't believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution comes from people who are prejudiced." What does this tell us about Miss Gates?

Scout heard Miss Gates at the courthouse saying that "it's time somebody taught 'em a lesson, they were gettin' way above themselves, an' the next thing they think they can do
is marry us." Miss Gates is either a hypocrite or has not stopped to recognize that she is just as prejudiced as Hitler was, although for a different group of people.

What happened to Judge Taylor?

Someone (Bob Ewell, we assume) was breaking into the judge's house when the judge and his dog frightened him away.

What was Scout's part in the pageant? Why did Scout and Jem not leave the school until almost everyone else had gone? What happened to Jem and Scout on the way home from the pageant?

She was to be a ham. Her ham costume would later save her life. Scout was embarrassed because she fell asleep, came on stage late during the pageant and ruined Mrs. Merriweather's program. Someone attacked them. Scout got tangled in her costume, someone knocked out Jem, there was a struggle and then Scout saw someone carrying Jem home.

Who saved Jem and Scout? Why did Heck Tate insist that Bob Ewell fell on his own knife?

Arthur (Boo) Radley saved Jem and Scout and he killed Bob Ewell. Heck figured out that Arthur had killed Bob Ewell, and he saw no sense in dragging the "hero" through a nasty, public ordeal. He thought it would be better to "let the dead bury the dead."

Scout arranged things so that "if Miss Stephanie Crawford was watching from her upstairs window, she would see Arthur Radley escorting [her] down the sidewalk, as any gentleman would do." Why did she do that?

Scout now understands that Arthur Radley is a real person, not a freak. She wants him, in his public appearance, to look "normal" so that Miss Stephanie and (through Miss Stephanie's gossip) the rest of the town will begin to think of him as a real person, too.

As Scout leaves the Radley porch, she looks out at the neighborhood and recounts the events of the last few years from the Radleys' perspective. Why is that important?

All through the book, she (and Jem and Dill) have been, at various times, taking Atticus' advice and putting themselves in someone else's shoes, looking at things from someone
else's perspective. Each time they do this, they learn something new. It is appropriate that near the conclusion of the novel, Scout takes the most difficult stance of looking through the world from Arthur Radley's perspective.

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

V5/V6 Source book Of Course

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