To Kill a Mocking Bird
Study Guide Chapters 20-25
Chapter 20 • Scout says that “Mr. Dolphus Raymond was an evil man”. Is she right? He is not evil; he is simply misunderstood and has received a bad reputation because society doesn’t understand his choices. • In most states of the USA people who drink alcohol in public places are required to hide their bottle in a paper bag. Why does Dolphus Raymond hide Coca-Cola in a bag? He wants people to think he is drunk because it gives them a reason for his behavior. • What, according to Atticus, is the thing that Mayella has done wrong? She tempted a black man in a society that doesn’t allow that. • Explain, in your own words, Atticus's views on people's being equal. We are not born equal.
Chapter 21 • What does Jem expect the verdict to be? Does Atticus think the same? Jem expect Tom to be innocent, but Atticus doesn’t thinks so. • What is unusual about how long it takes the jury to reach a verdict? Is the verdict predictable or not? A black man accused of assaulting a white woman would be convicted quickly. The delay shows that they actually thought about the conviction. The verdict is a bit predictable because of the setting of the book. • As Scout waits for the verdict, she thinks of earlier events. What are these and how do they remind us of the novel's central themes? She thinks about Atticus shooting the dog, Tim Johnson. The only difference is that this time Atticus doesn’t have any bullets to defend himself.
Chapter 22 • Although Atticus did not want his children in court, he defends Jem's right to know what has happened. Explain, in your own words, Atticus's reasons for this. (Look at the speech beginning, “This is their home, sister”. Atticus thinks that the grown people made the world they way it is today. Kids have learn to live in the world. • Miss Maudie tells Jem that
Chapter 20 • Scout says that “Mr. Dolphus Raymond was an evil man”. Is she right? He is not evil; he is simply misunderstood and has received a bad reputation because society doesn’t understand his choices. • In most states of the USA people who drink alcohol in public places are required to hide their bottle in a paper bag. Why does Dolphus Raymond hide Coca-Cola in a bag? He wants people to think he is drunk because it gives them a reason for his behavior. • What, according to Atticus, is the thing that Mayella has done wrong? She tempted a black man in a society that doesn’t allow that. • Explain, in your own words, Atticus's views on people's being equal. We are not born equal.
Chapter 21 • What does Jem expect the verdict to be? Does Atticus think the same? Jem expect Tom to be innocent, but Atticus doesn’t thinks so. • What is unusual about how long it takes the jury to reach a verdict? Is the verdict predictable or not? A black man accused of assaulting a white woman would be convicted quickly. The delay shows that they actually thought about the conviction. The verdict is a bit predictable because of the setting of the book. • As Scout waits for the verdict, she thinks of earlier events. What are these and how do they remind us of the novel's central themes? She thinks about Atticus shooting the dog, Tim Johnson. The only difference is that this time Atticus doesn’t have any bullets to defend himself.
Chapter 22 • Although Atticus did not want his children in court, he defends Jem's right to know what has happened. Explain, in your own words, Atticus's reasons for this. (Look at the speech beginning, “This is their home, sister”. Atticus thinks that the grown people made the world they way it is today. Kids have learn to live in the world. • Miss Maudie tells Jem that