Chapter 1

1.	What do you learn in this chapter about Maycomb, Atticus Finch and his family?

2.	What do you learn about Dill's character?

3.	What, briefly, has happened to Arthur "Boo" Radley?

4. Why does the Radley place fascinate Scout, Jem and Dill?

5.	What do you notice about the narrative voice and viewpoint in the novel?

Chapter 2

1.	Why is Scout so looking forward to starting school?

2.	What do you think of Miss Caroline Fisher as a teacher? Can you find qualities, which would make her good or not so good at her job?

Good qualities as a teacher	Bad qualities as a teacher

Chapter 3

1.	What is Walter Cunningham like? What does his behaviour during lunch suggest about his home life?

2.	What do you think of the way Atticus treats Walter?

3.	Does Scout learn anything from Walter's visit? What do you think this is?

4.	DISCUSSION TOPIC: Atticus says that you never really understand a person "until you climb into his skin and walk around in it". What does this mean? Is it an easy thing for Scout to learn?

5.	What do you learn in this chapter about the Ewells?

Chapter 4

1.	What does Scout think of current fashions in education?

2.	What superstitions do the children have in connection with the Radley house?

3.	Why do the children make Boo's story into a game?

4.	What do they do in this game? Do you think the game is an accurate version of what happens in the Radleys' home?

5.	What might be the cause of the laughter from inside the house?

Chapter 5

1.	Describe Miss Maudie Atkinson? How typical is she of Maycomb's women? What do the children think of her?

2.	What does Miss Maudie tell Scout about Boo? How does this
compare with what Scout already believes?

3.	Scout claims that "Dill could tell the biggest ones " (lies) she ever heard. Why might Dill have told such lies?

4.	What reasons does Atticus give for the children not to play the Boo Radley game? Do you think he is right? Why?

Chapter 6

1.	Why does Scout disapprove of Jem's and Dill's plan of looking in at one of the Radleys' windows?

2.	What does Mr. Nathan Radley know about the intruders in his garden? Why does Miss Stephanie refer to a "negro" over whose head Mr. Nathan has fired?

3.	Why does Dill's explanation of Jem's state of dress almost land him in trouble?

Chapter 7

1.	Who is putting all the objects in the knot-hole of the oak tree? Explain why?

2.	When Jem tells Scout about getting his trousers back, he tells her of something strange. What is this? What does it mean?

3.	DISCUSSION TOPIC: When the children plan to send a letter to the person who leaves the gifts, they are prevented. How does this happen? Who does it, and why might he do so?

Chapter 8

1.	Who died that winter?

2.	Give an example of racism in this chapter.

Page	Example from the chapter

3.	Why does Atticus save Miss Maudie's oak rocking chair? What does this tell us about Atticus' character?

4.	DISCUSSION: Explain what Atticus means by telling Jem not to let his discovery "inspire " him to "further glory"? Is there any reason why Jem might now do as his father says?

Chapter 8

Example of a development question

In order to answer a development question, it must contain at least one paragraph.

1.	introduction sentence (what are you proving or discussing)

2.	1-2 developed paragraphs (content-ideas)

a)	use information from the novel (precise details)	b)	analyse the question

c)	prove your point

3.	conclusion sentence (what did we discover, recap)

* mechanics : good use of linking words and transitions, sentence structure, spelling, clarity

Here is an example on how the following question would be developed in paragraph form.

Why are the burning of Miss Maudie's house and the blanket incident included in the novel?

Harper Lee has included the burning of Miss Maudie's house and the blanket incident in her novel for a reason.

Miss Maudie's burning house helps to bring out the closeness of the townspeople who soon gather and fill the street. Amidst the danger and commotion, men rush about taking furniture from Miss Maudie's house, pulling fire hoses and soaking the adjacent houses with hand extinguishers, still others go up on the roofs pointing to places that need water most of trying to beat out sparks and chunks of wood by using blankets. All work and the houses on either side. The whole town is out, many working, some watching and providing moral support. Even Nathan Radley has come out to help.

The blanket incident again shows Boo's concern for the children. Watching from the house, he sees Scout freezing where she stands by the gate. Trying to keep warm, Scout clutches her shoulders and by dancing a little, she is able to feel her feet. Boo comes out and covers her shoulders with a brown woolen blanket without Scout noticing it for she is too busy looking at the fire. This incident again shows Boo Radley as he really is, bringing out his affectionate and protective nature. In addition, it shows his contribution during the emergency, his part in helping.

These two incidents serve to accentuate the solidarity or unity of the people of Maycomb and the kindness and consideration of Boo Radley.

Chapter 9

1.	What is Tom Robinson accused of doing?

2.	Give two reasons why Atticus is defending Tom Robinson, a "negro". The character of Atticus is exhibited.

3.	How does Atticus hope to prevent Jem and Scout from catching the 'disease' of most people in Maycomb?

The 'disease'	Atticus hopes to prevent what?	Examples of this from the novel

4.	Uncle Jack Finch tells Scout that she is growing out of her pants. What does this mean and why might he say it?

Chapter 10

1.	In this chapter Atticus tells his children that "it's a sin to kill a mockingbird". What reason does he give for saying this? Why is this a metaphor? Where is the symbolism in this saying?

2.	Why does Heck Tate not want to shoot Tim Johnson?

3.	Near the end of this chapter Atticus cuts off Heck Tate as he is speaking to Jem. What might Heck have been about to say, and why would Atticus want to stop him from saying it?

4.	Scout says that "Atticus was feeble". Why? Does she still think this after the events recorded in this chapter?

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? What did he do?

3.	What request does Mrs. Dubose make of Jem? Is this a fair punishment for his "crime"?

4.	Explain in your own words what Atticus thinks of insults like "nigger-lover". How far do you agree with him?

5.	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?

6.	DISCUSSION TOPIC: Chapters ten and eleven are the last two chapters in the first part of the book. Explain why Harper Lee chooses to end the first part here.

Chapter 11

Development question (formative)

In order to answer a development question, it must contain at least 1 paragraph.

1.	introduction sentence (what are you proving or discussing)

2.	1-2 developed paragraphs (content-ideas)

a)	use information from the novel (precise details)	b)	analyse the question

c)	prove your point

3.	conclusion sentence (what did we discover, recap)

* mechanics : good use of linking words and transitions, sentence structure, spelling, clarity

Answer the following development question on a lined page. When finished, please hand it in to your teacher.

Why is Boo (Arthur) Radley known as Maycomb's night prowler, Boogie Man (ghost)?