To Kill a Mockingbird

1. To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 9-12

2. Chapter 9 Questions • How well does Atticus feel he should defend Tom Robinson? Is it usual for white lawyers to their best for black clients in Alabama at the time? • Scout and Jem have mixed feelings about Christmas. What are those feelings and why? • Uncle Jack Finch tells Scout that she is growing out of her pants. What does this mean and why would he say it? • When Francis talks to Scout he reveals an unpleasant feature of Aunt Alexandra. What might this be? • Does Scout learn anything from overhearing Atticus’s conversation with Uncle Jack? What? • What does the final sentence in the chapter mean? “But I never figured out how Atticus knew I was listening, and it was not until many years later that I realized that he wanted me to hear every word he said.”

3. Chapter 10 Questions • How does Scout’s opinion of Atticus’s being feeble change? • Why does Atticus say “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird”? • Why does Heck Tate not want to shoot Tim Johnson? • What is it that Heck starts to say when he is speaking to Jem? Why does Atticus stop him? • What differences do Jem and Scout have about telling people at school about how well Atticus can shoot?

4. Chapter 11 Questions • How does Atticus advise Jem to react to Mrs. Debose’s taunts? • What does Mrs. Dubose say about the children’s mother? Jem’s reaction? • What request does Mrs. Dubose make of Jem? Is this fair punishment? • What does Atticus think about insults such as “nigger-lover”? • Why, in Atticus’s view, was Mrs. Dubose a “great lady”? • What is Atticus’s definition of courage? What does he compare it to? • Why do you think Harper Lee chose to end the first part of the book here?

5. Quotations 1. “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand.  It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.  You rarely win, but sometimes you do.” 2. “It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived.” 3. “They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions... but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself.  The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.” 4. “'I know. Your daughter gave me my first lessons this afternoon. She said I didn't understand children much and told me why. She was quite right. Atticus, she told me how I should have treated her-oh dear, I'm so sorry I romped on her.'"

6. Difference between Novels and Short Stories • Short Stories center around ONE climactic event which may or may not change the protagonist • Consider the climactic events in these stories: • “The Revolt of ‘Mother’” • “Charles” • “The Most Dangerous Game”

7. Difference between Novels and Short Stories • Novels have multiple climactic moments and more than one plot. Minor plots are called SUBPLOTS. • Consider the climactic moments thus far… • Scout’s experiences at school. • The prank on Boo Radley • The night Miss Maudie’s house burns down • The incident with Tim Johnson • The Mrs. Dubose subplot

8. Difference between Novels and Short Stories • There are two major plots in To Kill a Mockingbird. • The Boo Radley Plot • The Tom Robinson Plot

9. Similarities between Novels and Short Stories • Short stories and novels both have the same major elements • Setting • Plot • Character • Theme • Conflict • Point of View

10. What to look for in Chapters 12-15