To Kill A Mockingbird Chapters 17-20 Guided Reading Questions

Why does Raymond think that children like Scout and Dill can understand his secret better than adults?

Mr. Raymond tells Scout and Jem that it is Coca-cola and not whiskey in his paper bag and he is not really drunk all the time because he knows that they are not racist and they will understand.

What crucial detail is revealed about Tom Robinson in this chapter? How does it change our understanding of what happened to Mayella on November 21?

The crucial detail revealed about Tom was that he only has one good arm. This shows us that the choking and bruises on Mayella would be very difficult/impossible for Tom to actually complete.

Why does Atticus ask Bob Ewell to write his name? How does this lead Jem to conclude, "We've got him"? Why does Scout think he is jumping to conclusions?

Atticus asks Bob Ewell to write his name to show what hand he writes with. By showing that he writes with his left hand, the jury can see that maybe Bob Ewell hit his daughter, Mayella, and NOT Tom.

What alternative account of the events of November 21 is Atticus suggesting took place when he asks Mayella, "What did your father see in the window, the crime of rape or the best defense of it"? Does he have sufficient evidence for this suggestion? Why might the jury be willing to believe what he is suggesting?

Atticus has evidence that Tom has a bad right arm and because Mayella says he hit her with his right arm, the jury can see something isn't adding up. For this reason, the jury could be willing to believe this.

What examples does this chapter provide of characters practicing empathy? Which characters are able to "climb into the skin" of others and "walk around in it"? How do they respond to others as a result? What are the consequences?

Atticus is polite to both Mayella and Tom, while Mr. Gilmer is polite to Mayella and rude to Tom. Because Mr. Gilmer can't or doesn't want to "climb in the skin" of Tom Robinson and is extremely rude to him, calling him "boy" and talking down to him.

Reread Mayella's testimony and record the details of her account of what happened on November 21. Which details in her story change before the end of her testimony?

At first she said that she asked him to come in to help fix something, then when Atticus asks her later if it was the first time she asked him to come inside, she said she didn't ask him to come in.

What distinction does Atticus make in his speech about the written and unwritten laws of Maycomb? Which does he claim that Mayella Ewell has violated? How does this help explain why she has falsely accused Tom Robinson?

Both the written and the unwritten laws keep the community and the society together. The written ones that are laws and the unwritten ones that are customs and traditions. To see if the written laws have been broken is what the courts need to establish, and not the unwritten ones. Atticus then claims that no written laws were broken by neither Mayella nor Tom Robinson when they kissed. Mayella, in fact, is the one who broke the unwritten laws and codes and customs of Maycomb when she decided and kissed Tom Robinson. She kissed a black person, and that was her transgression according to society. Because she kissed a black person she felt guilty. Her father would not have such "shame" befall their family and Atticus clearly states that it was her father who has beaten her because she broke the "code". Because of her guilt she decides to hide the fact that she wanted to and did kiss Tom she accused him of rape.

Compare and contrast the description of the Ewells' home and the black neighborhood nearby. What similarities do you notice? What differences? What conclusions might Harper Lee want the reader to draw about the Ewells and the black families who live nearby based on the descriptions of where and how they live?

By the look of the Ewells home, everyone and anyone can see that they take no pride in how it looks. The black neighborhood nearby is nicer, with nice smells of chicken and bacon. You can see they take pride in their home. Bob Ewell doesn't feed his children, while the black families do. Harper wants the reader to know just how horrible the Ewells are.

What secret does Dolphus Raymond reveal to Scout and Dill outside the courthouse? How does it change the way they think of him? What is his explanation for why he "deliberately perpetuates a fraud against himself"? What does Dill learn from him?

Dolphus reveals that he is not an alcoholic. He drinks soda. The children learn that some people just don't want to be questioned. Mr. Raymond stops discussion of his relationship with Maycomb's black population by giving people a reason to think he's different. Dill learns that no matter what family you come from, you have your own thoughts on things.

During Atticus's speech, Scout sees him do two things she had never seen him do before. What are they, and what do they reveal about how Atticus thinks this speech is different from others he has given in court in the past?

During his speech, Atticus loosens his clothing, and he sweats. In loosening his clothing before he speaks to the jury, Atticus is letting the jury know that he feels comfortable addressing them as equals and friends. His uncharacteristic action demonstrates his belief that all men should be equal in a court of law.

What details in Mr. Ewell's description of the incident are most important to Atticus? How does Harper Lee help the reader know?

Ewell is left handed. Whoever hit Mayella on the night of the "rape" was also left handed. The bruising on her face, especially on her right eye means that someone was leading with their left hand. Mayella was also choked. Whoever choked her would have needed to use two hands. Tom only has one good arm (his right arm).

Summarize Heck Tate's testimony. From his point of view, what happened on the night of November 21? Why did he arrest Tom Robinson?

Heck Tate's testimony seemed legit. He said that he was leaving his office when he got a call from Mr. Bob Ewell saying his daughter had been raped. He went to their house to find Mayella covered in bruises and saying Tom Robinson had done it to her. Heck Tate arrested Tom because that is who she identified as her attacker.

What are the unwritten rules about race that Mr. Gilmer attempts to get Tom to break? Does he succeed? What parts of Tom's testimony would have offended jurors who supported the laws and customs of segregated society?

Mr. Gilmer insinuates that Tom felt superior to Mayella, suggesting that he, "a Negro field hand," expresses pity for a white woman. This offends those who support segregated society because they believe black people are below them.

According to Raymond, how will growing up change Scout and Dill? What will they gain and what will they lose as they get older? Do you think he's right?

Raymond points out that Scout and Jem are Atticus's children. Atticus is seen by some in the town as progressive and even enlightened. Scout and Jem would understand what is going on. They will grow up sharing the traits of their father.

Summarize Tom Robinson's testimony about what happened between him and Mayella on November 21. How does his account differ from Mayella's? Who is telling the truth? How do you know?

Tom's testimony was that he was coming home from work, the only way he knew how, and Mayella was sitting on the porch, and asked him to help her fix the hinges on the door. When Tom went inside and noticed the door was fine she asked him to do something else. She then hugged him and tried to kiss him, the when Mr. Ewells showed up he started yelling so Tom started running. Mayella says that Tom came onto her and hit her. Tom is telling the truth because he doesn't hesitate when telling his side.

When he cross-examines Heck Tate, what details about the incident does Atticus seem to think are most important? How does Harper Lee help the reader know?

When Atticus cross-examines Heck Tate he notices that the bruises were on the right side of Mayella's face, and that no one sent her to the doctor. Atticus notices that Mr. Bob is left handed, and bruises on the right side of the face usually come from left handed people. Harper Lee lets the reader know that these details are important by having Atticus repeat them many times.

Scout says that Tom seemed to be a "respectable Negro." What does she mean? How might someone from Maycomb describe the difference between a black person who is respectable and one who is not? How might that differ from the characteristics of a "respectable white person"?

When Scout says Tom is respectable, she means he's a good man and works hard,and is polite. This differs from calling a white person respectable because they don't have to work nearly as hard, they just have to be polite.