Discussion for Week of Dec. 3rd - Chaps 18-27

[Robin Nourie]

What questions arise for you as you read about the trial and its aftermath?  What themes are being reinforced in these chapters? What do we learn about the different characters and how this trial affects the way they view the world? Post one discussion question for each chapter OR respond to another classmates question.

[Lila Sternberg-Sher]

18: Why did Mr. Ewell/Mayella choose Tom Robinson to accuse?

19: Why does Mayella testify against Tom if he was the only person who treated her decently?

20: What is Mr.Raymonds reason for pretending he's drunk all the time? Do you agree with it? Why or why not?

[Moriya Dichter]

18. When Mayella is talking about when she is asked if she loves her father and she repsonds with "He does tolerable. 'Cept when...." what is she talking about? 

19. Why was it so bad for Tim Robinson to say that he pitied Mayella?

20. Do you think Atticus undid his tie to talk to the jury?

[Jeremy Berman]

18. Why did Mayella think that Atticus was mocking her?

19. Which story do you believe, (Mayella's or Tom's) and why?

20. How is Atticus similar to Mr. Raymond?  How are they different?

[JP]

18: Why does Mayella lie if Tom was her only friend?

19. Why is Dill so sick at the end of the captor?

20. Why did Atticus not want the children to see the trial?

[M Buckmire]

18: What do we learn about Mayella's character when we find she doesn't like being called Ms. Mayella?

19: Why would Mayella try to hug Tom Robinson when she knew it was "against her families values"?

20: What is the importance of Atticus taking off his jacket while talking to the jury?

[A. Leonard P. Rittler]

Here are my chapter questions (18-20): 18: Where were Mayella's siblings during her alleged rape? 19: Why was it a mistake for Tom Robinson to say he felt sorry for Mayella? 20: Why did Atticus take off his jacket and loosen his collar?

[Sophie Smith]

18: Why does Mayella seen timid and wary?

19: What was the mistake Tom made by saying he was sorry for Mayella?

20: What do we discover about the Mr. Raymond? Why does he pretend that he is a drunk?

[Hannah Hanson]

Chapter 18: Why is Mayella protecting her father?

Chapter 19: Why did Judge Taylor look directly at Atticus after Mr. Link Deas' comment that?

Chapter 20: Why does Atticus loosen all his clothing and take off is watch to make his final points to the jury? 

[Lila Sternberg-Sher]

21: Why do all of the African-Americans stand when Atticus passes?

22:Why does Bob Ewell tell Atticus that he's gonna get him even though he won the trial?

23:Why did Mr. Cunningham's cousin almost decide that Tom wasn't guilty?

23: How has the relationship between Scout and Jem changed over the book?

[Jeremy Berman]

21. Did Atticus know what the verdict would be before the trial even started?

22. What does Jem getting a slice of the big cake represent?

[Lucy Curtis]

• Why is the trial considered a step in the right direction if Tom Robinson looses?
• Why if Atticus believes so strongly that that a white man should not be cruel to a black man and treat him equally does he call African Americans "ignorant"?
• If he won the case why is Mr. Ewell so upset with Atticus?
• Why did so many people give gifts to Atticus when for months most of the town has been shunning him? Was it only the African Americans who gave?
  

[Lucy Curtis]

I forgot to add this but: If Mr. Raymond is always pretending to be drunk so he can live the life he wants is he actually in love with the African American woman he had children with? Or does he just not particularly care?

[M Buckmire]

21: Why would Atticus leave during the verdict of the case?

22: Do you think Judge Taylor purposely appointed Atticus to be Tom's lawyer?

[livi pinover]

18: Is Mayella's father ever bad to her? Why was she wary when Atticus asked about her father?

19: Why would Mayella argue against Tom Robinson if he only treated her nicely?

20: Mr. Raymond says the reason he pretends to be a drunk is to provide an explanation for whites on his lifestyle, why does he need an explanation?

[JP]

Response to Lila's 21: They stand because they respect him a ton for taking and defending the case with Tom Robinson.

Response to Jeremy's 22: TO Miss Maudie, Jem is entering manhood so he should get a slice of the "Big Boy Cake" 

[Sophie Smith]

21: Why does Jem think Atticus in going to win the case? Why does Reverend Skys disagree?

22: What did Jem learn because of this case?

23: What does Aunt Alexandra say about the Cunninghams? What does this lead Scout to think about her?

[A. Leonard P. Rittler]

Heee are my questions for chapters 21-23: 21: What does Jem mean by "There are things you don't understand"? 22: Why does Aunt Alexandra call Atticus "brother"? 23: Why is Aunt Alexandra so scornful of classes mixing?

[livi pinover]

21: Why does Scout refer to the jury coming back as a "dream-like quality?"

22: What is Dills point when he says he wants to be a clown when he grows up?

23: How does Atticus propose a fairer way for sentencing defendants in capital cases?

[Moriya Dichter]

21. Why do you think the jury finally ruled Tom Robinson guilty?

22. Do you think Aunt Alexandra was happy with the results of the trial?

23. What do you think of Atticus's facts of life?

[Lila Sternberg-Sher]

24: Has Aunt Alexandra torn the family apart or helped them put them back together?

25:Why did Tom try to escape even though he knew he would have a better chance surviving if he stayed in the jail?

26: Why did Jem get so furious when Scout mentioned the courthouse and Hitler?

27: What do you think Aunt Alexandra was going to say to Scout about why she didn't want to go to the pageant. Why did she stop suddenly?

[Sophie Smith]

24: What did Miss Maudie do that Aunt Alexandra was grateful for?

25: What did the editorial about Tom Robinson' s death have to do with the title of the book?

26: Why does Harper Lee make Cecil Jacobs talk about Hitler in his current events? What does Hitler have to do with the book?

[Robin Nourie]

Good answers!

[Marley Napier-Smith]

18: Do you think Mayella is easily manipulated? Why?
19: Why do you think Mayella was mildly obsessed with Tom? Why do you think it was so difficult for Tom to dictate that he, in fact, did not harm Mayella?
20: Why does Atticus, the avid advocate for equality, tell Scout that "cheatin' a colored man is ten times worse than cheatin' a white man"?

[Marley Napier-Smith]

21: Do you think Atticus is somewhat proud of Jem and Scout for wanting to see the outcome of the trial and caring so much?
22: Why does Aunt Alexandra expect Atticus to turn bitter over the trial's outcome?
23: Why is Atticus unwise to think little of Bob Ewell?
24: Does it disturb you to think that when asked if she wanted to be a lawyer, Scout replies, "Nome, just a lady"?
25: Why did Atticus not say anything when he saw Helen?
26: Although Scout is somewhat disturbed by the presence of the Radley place, she does envision and even hope for a future where she and Boo are acquaintances. What do you think Atticus would say about this contrasting train of thought?
27: Do you think the scratching at Judge Taylor's door could have been Boo Radley rather than Bob Ewell?