Chapter 25-26: "The Radley Place had ceased to terrify me, but it was no less gloomy, no less chilly under its great oaks, and no less uninviting." Explore this with reference to Scout's development.(Daisy)

In this scene Scout observed that there is no reason to be afraid of the Radley place. This represents how she is maturing as a person since Scout learned it is unreasonable. During the ladies tea party Scout observes how mature Aunt Alexandra is being during a stressful situation. "After all, if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this so could I" (271). This quotation represents how Scout learns what it means to be a lady/women in their time. She takes Aunt Alexandra as a representation to be more mature. This point concludes why she is no longer afraid of the Radley's since she has matured and become more aware.

Chapter 28-31: What does Heck Tate mean when he says, “Let the dead bury the dead this time” (369)? Explain what is going on here and what he means. (Katherine)

When Heck Tate says “Let the dead bury the dead this time,” (Lee 276), Bob Ewell, who was on the opposite side of the court case as Tom Robinson, has just died and Jem is unconscious. Atticus is insistent that Bob Ewell’s death will reflect badly on Jem, but he doesn’t want anyone “hushing this up” (Lee 273). Heck Tate responds that it is clear that Bob Ewell fell on his own knife and caused his own death. Atticus is very resistent to believe that Bob casued his own death, and he understands, as a laywer, how much trouble murder can cause. Eventually, Heck persuades Atticus that Jem didn’t kill Ewell. He shows Atticus how, because they were under a tree, Ewell tripped and fell on his knife. Heck says that because Tom Robinson is dead, and so is Bob Ewell, Atticus should just “let the dead bury the dead this time” (Lee 276). Heck means that since both people involved in the case are dead, the case is over. Heck is telling Atticus to let go. 

Chapters 28-31: Look closely at the description of Boo. Why has Harper Lee included these details and why here?  (Charlotte)

Towards the end of To Kill A Mockingbird, Boo Radley is finally revealed to the readers. Harper Lee adds some oddly specific details about Boos' appearance that seems to fit his character. For example, when describing Boo on page 310, it says, "They were white hands, sickly white hands that had never seen the sun, so white they stood out garishly against the dull creme wall in the dull light if Jem's room." (Lee, 310) This would seem to fit Boos' character because it has been stated in the book that almost none of the townsfolk had ever seen Boo and he was always shut up in his house. His physical traits do seem to apply to what people might think of his personality, but it doesn't match at all. Most of the people who live in Maycomb believe that Boo is a horrendous man who stabbed his mother in the meg as a child and eats animals at night and spies on the neighborhood women at night. But in reality, Boo is a kind, generous, person, who gives Jem and Scout special tokens and saves their lives. He is very socially awkward because he has been shut up in his house all of his adult life, but he is very kind and deeply cares about Scout and Jem, even if he has only briefly met them.

Chapters 26 & 27: Explore Scout's confusion in class. What is the root of Scout's confusion about Miss Gates? How is Miss Gates being a hypocrite? Why does Harper Lee include this? What is the purpose? (Rhys)

Scout is confused in class because of Miss Gates’ hypocrisy about the persecution of minority races and religious groups. During current events, Miss Gates explains  Adolf Hitler’s, prejudice towards the Jewish people, but she does not acknowledge the prejudice in Maycomb. Miss Gates is hypocritical when she compares the U.S to Germany. She says, “ We are a democracy and Germany is a dictatorship… Over here we don’t believe in persecuting anybody” (Lee 281). Miss Gates claims that the Nazi Germans are prejudiced towards Jews, but she doesn’t include that the people of Maycomb are prejudiced towards African Americans. Scout is confused on how people can “hate Hitler so bad and then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home” (Lee 283). Scout also wonders how the people of Maycomb can say that the Germans are prejudiced without noticing that they have prejudice themselves. Prejudice is also significantly involved in the Tom Robinson case as the verdict voted in favor of Mayella Ewell without definitive evidence. Harper Lee includes this scene because she wants to illustrate that Scout is aware of prejudice in Maycomb because of her father; however, Miss Gates is not. Scout is confused in class because of Miss Gates’ hypocrisy and prejudice towards African Americans. 

Ch 24/25: Explain the Mrs. Merriweather’s quote "I tell you there are some good but misguided people in this town.” What is she talking about? (Nic)

Mrs. Merriweather is trying to say that Atticus is the one who is misguided. When Alexandra has all of her church friends over for tea, Mrs. Merriweather makes this discreet comment, it really isn’t obvious at first, but she is actually talking about Atticus. She is trying to say that Atticus is stirring up the black community by defending Tom Robinson. Mrs. Merriweather thinks that Tom should have been given a worse lawyer, because then the black community wouldn’t be as angry about the loss, and she hates it when her maid isn’t happy, as she says: “Gertrude, I tell you there’s nothing more distracting than a sulky darky. Their mouths go down to here. Just ruins your day to have one of em’ in the kitchen.” This quote just shows even more of the horrible racism that was shown in the south in the 1930’s, from the women’s point of view.

Ch 24/25: Explain the Mrs. Merriweather’s quote "I tell you there are some good but misguided people in this town.” What is she talking about? (Nic)

Mrs. Merriweather means that some people living in Maycomb are kind hearted, but they just don’t have the best sense of judgement. The Ladies are talking about different people from around town, such as Helen Robinson and Brother Hutson when Mrs. Merriweather says this. Whether it’s because of a bad upbringing or education, some people just can’t make good decisions for themselves or others. Mrs. Merriweather also states that “Some of ‘em in this town thought they were doing right.” (Lee 265) This shows that these people really are misguided and that they may think that they’re making the right decision, when they really aren’t. Sometimes people can be good at heart, but not really show it, and that is what Mrs. Merriweaqther is trying to say here.

Chapter 25: What is the content of the editorial published in the paper? Why is this confusing to Scout? What is the significance of this? (Graham)

The editorial in Chapter 25 is about Tom Robinson's death, and how it was unjust and “senseless killing.”(Lee, 241) The person writing the editorial, Mr. Underwood, believes it is a sin to kill people with disabilities. Tom Robinson didn’t have a functioning left arm, so Mr. Underwood is bitter about Tom Robinson's death. Mr. Underwood compares Tom to a Mockingbird, as he was innocent and helpless in his situation and didn’t deserve to be killed. This connects back to an earlier chapter, where Atticus claims that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. The editorial is confusing to Scout because she doesn’t see how Tom Robinson's death was a senseless killing. When she first read the paper, she disagreed with Mr. Underwood because she believed that Tom Robinson was given a fair trial with a good jury, and Atticus had tried his hardest. Later in the same paragraph, she realizes that the court was biased against Tom Robinson from the beginning, and he had never been given a fair trial. She says, “Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed. “(Lee, 241) She then understands that Tom Robinson never stood a chance against the word of a white woman, especially in the time period this book is set in. This shows that Scout is learning that not everything is fair, especially when it has to do with race. 

Chapters 24/25: What is the significance of the "roly-poly"? What does this incident tell you about Scout and Jem?(Julio)

The roly-poly symbolizes their innocence. In chapter twenty five, Scout finds a roly-poly in her room (a bug). She plays with it and makes it roll into a ball by poking it with a stick over and over again. After a few minutes of playing this game Scout says, "Feeling sleepy, I decided to end things" (Lee 319). After she said that, she was going to kill it. Jem stopped her and said, "They don't bother you." (Lee 320).This relates to Tom Robinson in a way because he is like the bug in this situation. It is innocent and about to get his freedom taken away for no reason. Tom was charged for something he didn't do and unfairly punished and Jem didn't want it happening to the bug.

Chapters 22/23: What are Aunt Alexandra’s and Atticus’ definitions of “trash.” How do they differ? (Antrias)

Atticus and Aunt Alexandra have two extremely different definitions of trash. Atticus thinks that for someone to be considered trash they must take advantage of an African American. Aunt Alexandra thinks that someone is trash when they are lesser than the Finches. When Atticus is talking to Jem and educating him about racism and biases he says "You'll see white men cheat black men every day... and don't you forget... when a white man does that to a black man... that white man is trash"(Lee 252). This quote proves that Atticus thinks that when a white man abuses his power over a black man "that white man is trash". Atticus's definition of trash differs from Aunt Alexandra's because while she is explaining to Scout why Scout can't hang out with Walter she says "They're not our kind of folks... I'll tell you why... because-he-is-trash, that's why you can't play with him" (Lee 256). In this quote Aunt Alexandra claims that the Cunninghams are different than the Finches making them trash. Aunt Alexandra thinks that just because the Cunninghams have less money or are less proper than the Finches, Scout cannot play with Walter Cunningham.

Chapter 22/23: Explain Maudie’s two important quotes about Atticus in Chapter 22. How is she showing her support? (Tyler)

Miss Maudie has a respect and understanding of Atticus’s decisions and actions more than many of the other citizens of Maycomb.  She doesn’t show it much but she understands. During chapter 22 Jem, Dill, and Scout go over to Miss Maudie's after the night of the trial, they end up getting into conversation about Atticus and Miss Maudie expresses her thoughts about him. She says,  “... there are some men in this world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father’s one of them…” What Miss Maudie is trying to say is that Atticus doesn’t care about the job he has to complete he just completes it. She continues, “We're so rarely called on to be Christians, but when we are, we’ve got men like Atticus to go for us” (Lee 245-246).  Miss Maudie shows a lot of admiration of Atticus toward Jem, Dill, and Scout. She is trying to say that whatever challenge or “dirty work” is thrown at him he will work hard trying to solve the problem. This shows in the Tom Robinson case, when it was given to Atticus everyone thought it would be impossible for him to win but he did his duty and put up a good fight.  Miss Maudie understands this and supports Atticus by being proud that he is making baby steps towards equality.

22/23 "How is Jem maturing physically and emotionally in these chapters?" (Keira)

In chapters 23 and 24 we see Jem maturing physically and emotionally. In chapter 24 we can see how Jem is maturing physically, Atticus unbutton his shirt and shows jem how he has hair on his chest, this is showing how Jem is becoming more mature and turning into a young adult. He is also maturing emotionally, he is beginning to see how much racism affects Maycomb county and surrounding towns and states. After the trail, its hit Jem that life is not fair and things almost never go your way, he instantly beginnings crying, “It was Jem’s turn to cry. His face was streaked with angry tears as we made out way through the cheerful crowd” (Lee 242). Jem always makes fun of Scout for crying but because Scout knows how Jem feels neither of them say anything about Jem of crying.

Chapter 20/21: Examine the final line of chapter 21. What is the significance? (Alexsa)

The last line of chapter 21 in TKAM, shows how much respect the people in the court give Atticus. The line states, "Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passin." (Lee 241) The significance of this quote shows how much respect the people in this time respected a white person, Atticus. At this time, negros did not like white people and white people did not like negros, so when the negros stood up, in respect of Atticus leaving the court room, changed how people saw Atticus and other white people. The theme of the chapter and specifically the last line is courage and bravery. Throughout the trial, Atticus never stopped fighting for Tom Robinson, a black man. This showed how much bravery and courage it took Atticus to not give up and turn on Tom. As you can see, this final line and chapter showed respect, courage, and bravery of people of all kinds.

What do Scout and Dill learn about Dolphus Raymond? What does this tell you about his character? (Antonella)

Dill and Scout learn that Dolphus Raymond pretends to drink a lot so people can peg his behavior on drunkenness. He actually just wants to be happy with his significant other and their children. When Scout asks why he would dirty his reputation even more by pretending to be a drunkard, he replies “… it’s mighty helpful to folks… they could never, never understand that I live like I do because that’s the way I want to live”(228). People cannot understand that Mr. Raymond chooses to live the way he does, so, to avoid rumors and the like, he provides a reason that they can understand, being drunk. That way people will leave him be and he can live a quiet life with his family. Mr. Raymond doesn’t care about what others think, so he sacrifices his reputation for a happy life with his family.

What keeps people from understanding Mr. Raymond's real reason for living the way he does? Is Mr. Raymond a good man?

Chapter 20/21: Explore Atticus’ words and actions in his closing argument. What makes his argument so effective? Why does Harper Lee do this? (Spiros)

Atticus’ actions during his closing argument are so effective because he is able to show his audience that he is putting himself out there and is being vulnerable in order for them to understand his opinion on people of color and how they should be treated equally rather than always having people against them. Harper Lee wants to include this to show how passionate a white person could be at that time in order to make such a powerful statement. After Atticus is done with questioning Tom Robinson, he performs his closing argument. He takes off his jacket and loosens his tie, which is considered to be very rare and even naked for when the kids see him: “He unbuttoned his vest, unbuttoned his collar, loosened his tie, and took off his coat.” (Lee 230). What Atticus was trying to say was that although there might be a bias towards black people, but in court, all men are equal and that bias should be discarded in order for it to be a fair trial. Harper Lee wanted to include this scene because she wanted to show that not all people were against people of color, and that there were still white people such as Atticus who would defend them and try to show that they are equal. It is a really meaningful message to the readers too, (especially the ones reading it when the book had come out), because it was also an epiphany to them as well, since some of them had the same biases as the characters in the book. Atticus really had to put himself out there in order to show that he truly meant what he was saying and how that had to consider his side. Although he was unsuccessful, the jury must have really considered his vulnerability due to the fact that they took so long make a descision. How do you think that the rest of the people in the courtroom will take this statement? Do you think that it will be very effective?