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Chapter 1 The novel is about three years in the life of the Finch family: Atticus, a lawyer, and his son Jem and daughter Scout. The childrens mother died when they were young. The story is narrated by Scout, a six year old girl - so we see things from her point of view. Scout begins the story by recalling the events that led to her brother Jems broken arm. The story is set in the 1930s, in the town of Maycomb, Alabama at the time of the Great Depression. The Great Depression crippled the country until1936. People lost their life savings when firms and banks went bankrupt, and 12 - 15 million people - one third of America's population were unemployed. It is the summer and their neighbour's nephew, Charles Baker Harris also called Dill, has come to stay for the holiday. They spend the summer playing together and trying to uncover the mystery of the Radley family. The most suspicious member of the family is Arthur Boo Radley. The people of Maycomb say that he is crazy and that he stalks the neighbourhood at night. Miss Stephanie Crawford, a Maycomb gossip, says that Boo had stabbed one of his parents in the leg with scissors. The children are scared of him but Dill wants to make Boo come out because no one has seen him for 15 years. Dill challenges Jem to touch the Radley house, and as he does, the children think they see a tiny movement in the house.

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1. Write the names of 4 important characters mentioned in chapter 1. 2. When is the story set? What is important about the time the novel is set? 3. Where is the story set? 4. Who is Boo Radley? Why do the children want to make him come out? 5. What do you think is going to happen next? 6. Below are 5 new words from the novel. Explain their meaning, practise say, cover, write, check, and use them in sentences. For each word, write its part of speech next to it (n: noun; adj.: adjective; v: verb; adv: adverb; prep. preposition). a. irritated b. persecution c. taciturn d. to intimidate e. to make a concession

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THE STORY OF BOO RADLEY The misery of that house began many years before Jem and I were born. The Radleys kept to themselves. They didnt go to church but worshipped at home. The shutters and doors of their house were closed on Sundays. Mr Radley didnt work and no one knew how they made a living. Mr and Mrs Radley had 2 sons. When the younger boy was a teenager, he became friendly with a group of boys from another town. Together, they would hang around the barber-shop, go to the pictures on Sundays, attend country dances and drink whisky. One night, after hooning around the town, they locked up the local policeman in the court house out house. Later, the boys were charged with assault and disorderly behaviour and the judge decided to send them to a special school, which was in effect a great kindness as the school was a very good one. Mr Radley, however, believed that it would be a disgrace for his family and decided instead to make sure that his son, Arthur, was kept safely at home. He was not seen again for 15 years. One day, when Arthur Boo Radley was 33 years old he stabbed is father with scissors and was locked up by the sheriff in the court house basement. It was a very unhealthy place and, after a while, he was returned to his family. When Mr Radley died, Calpurnia said, there goes the meanest man ever. People thought that Boo would then be able to come out but his elder brother came to live with them and took his fathers place.

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Chapter 2 In September, Dill goes back to his home and Scout is about to begin her first year of school. Her teacher, Miss Caroline Fisher, is young and inexperienced. When she discovers that Scout can already read and write she is very disappointed. Scout explains that she has learned from her father and from their African-American cook, Calpurnia. Miss Fisher tells her to stop learning at home. She believes that children should learn by the school's teaching methods. Scout then takes a strong dislike to school. Soon after, Miss Fisher finds that one of the children, Walter Cunningham, has no lunch. She tries to give him money, but he will not accept. Scout gets into trouble when she tries to explain to Miss Fisher that Walter Cunningham cannot borrow money for lunch as he will not be able to pay it back. Miss Fisher punishes Scout by hitting her on the hand with a ruler and standing her in the corner.

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Chapter 3 Scout starts a fight with Walter at lunch because she blames him for getting her in trouble with their teacher. Jem stops the fight and invites Walter back to their house for lunch. During the meal, Scout criticizes Walter for pouring too much sauce on his food. Calpurnia scolds her for being rude to a guest. Back at school, Miss Caroline screams when she sees the "cooties" in a student's hair. The student is Burris Ewell, who is from an extremely poor family. She sends him home, but the class explains that Ewell children only come to the first day of school anyway. When Burris leaves, he shouts rude words at Miss Fisher, making her cry. After dinner, Scout talks to Atticus and tells him that she wants to quit school or just go once a year like the Ewells. He explains that the Ewells are a disgrace and that Bob Ewell, the father, is a drunk who has never worked. Atticus tells Scout that she needs to learn to consider things from other peoples point of view. He also explains what a compromise is; Scout will continue going to school and they will continue reading at home.

Why do you think Jem invites Walter home for lunch? Is Calpurnia right to correct Scout when she criticizes Walter? What do we learn about the Ewells? What does Atticus mean when he says: Youll never understand a person until [] you climb into his skin and walk around in it. ?

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Chapter 4 One afternoon, while walking home from school Scout finds two pieces of chewing gum in the knothole of a tree on the edge of the Radley yard. Later, she and Jem find two pennies in the same tree. The children have no idea who is leaving the items in the tree. The following summer, Dill returns to Maycomb for the holiday. During a game, Jem accidentally pushes Scout in an old car tyre right into the Radleys' yard, which scares her a great deal. She believes that she could here someone inside the house laughing at them. Jem then gets the idea to play the Boo Radley game and act out spooky stories about the Radley family. They play this all summer until Atticus catches them. He thinks that the children are making fun of their neighbours and tells them to stop. Jem lies and says that their role plays are not about the Radleys. Scout tells Jem that they should listen to Atticus and do what he says, but Jem thinks they can keep playing without getting in any further trouble. Scout, though, is afraid.

Who do you think is leaving the presents? What is the Boo Radley game? Why does Jem lie to Atticus?

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Chapter 5 Jem and Dill become closer friends as they continue to play the Boo Radley game despite Atticuss warning. Scout feels the need to spend more time with Miss Maudie Atkinson, their kind neighbour, as she does not want to play the Boo game any more, and feels left out. Often, the two of them sit on the porch of Miss Maudies house and talk. Miss Maudie knows a lot about the Radley family and she tells Scout that Boo is still alive. She also explains that Boo stays inside the house because he does not want to come out. His father, old Mr Radley, was a fundamentalist (very strict) Baptist (a member of the Protestant church) and he taught his family that all pleasure was a sin, even Miss Maudies garden and beautiful flowers. Scout thinks he might stay inside to avoid women and sin. Miss Maudie also remembers that when Arthur was a boy he was very nice. She thinks that the stories that people tell about him are ridiculous The next day, Dill and Jem plan to give a note to Boo Radley. Dill and Scout are told to stand watch while Jem tries to slip the note into the house using a fishing pole. The children are caught by Atticus, and Jem admits that they were trying to give a note to Boo to make him come out. Atticus tells them to stop tormenting that man.

Write a dialogue between Scout and Jem where she tells him about her conversation with Miss Maudie. OR Pretend you are Atticus. Write a diary entry after you caught the children trying to pass on a note to Boo.

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Chapter 6 On Dill's last evening in Maycomb, Dill and Jem decided to try one last time to see Boo. Scout did not really want to go with them but she agreed when the boys told her she was getting more like a girl. They made their way to the Radley yard in the dark, crawled under the wire fence and across the large garden to the house. There, while the children were trying to peer through a window, they saw someones shadow in the yard. They took fright and ran out while gunshots went off. Jem got caught in the wire fence and had to leave his pants behind. When the children returned to the street, they saw a large crowd gathered in front of the Radley house. Nathan Radley was holding a shotgun and telling the crowd that he had shot at a Negro in his vegetable garden to scare him off. Later, when Jem went back to get his pants, he found them nicely folded and the tears had been mended.

Retell the story in the present to make it more lively. You might have to use different tenses: present simple, present continuous or present perfect.

Imagine you are Dill. Write a diary entry to describe your adventure.

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Chapter 7 School begins and Scout enters the second grade. On the way home one afternoon, Jem and Scout find a ball of string in the knot-hole of the tree near the Radley yard. They leave it for a few days, as they think it might be where a little kid hides his treasured things. On the third day it is still there, and they decide to take it. Later, they find two small sculptures carved in soap: one of a girl and one of a boy; then a packet of chewing gum, a medal, a pocket watch and a knife. Scout believes they are gifts from Miss Maudie, but Jem is sure they are from a man. The children then decide to write him a thank-you letter. The next day, as they walk up to the tree to place the letter in the knot-hole, they realise it has been filled with cement. Mr Nathan Radley, Boos brother, explains he did it because the tree was sick. However, Jem thinks it is a lie and is very upset.

Why do you think Mr Nathan Radley filled the hole with cement? Why is Jem so upset?

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Chapter 8Jumbled up paragraphs. Put them back in order to get a summary

Jem and Scout go to see Miss Maudie the next morning. She is very positive despite the loss of her house. She sees the fire as a chance to start over and move on.

When Atticus tells the children that Boo must have placed the blanket around Scout, she is scared at first but they both finally understand that Boo does not want to harm them.

That evening, Scout is woken by Atticus to find that Miss Maudie's house is on fire. He asks the children to go and wait in front of the Radley place, well away from the flames. While people are waiting for the fire truck, the men help Miss Maudie move her furniture out. Jem and Scout watch in fear as her house finally collapses. They are so terrified that they do not even realise that someone has placed a blanket around Scouts shoulders.

It is now winter and Scout is very excited when she sees snow for the first time. She and Jem decide to make a snowman, but have to borrow snow from Miss Maudie as there is barely enough on the ground.

Why did Boo give Scout the blanket? How can you explain that Miss Maudie is so unconcerned by the loss of her house?

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Chapter 9 At school Scout gets in a fight with a boy who says that her father defends niggers. She does not understand what he means but knows that it is rude. Atticus explains that he is defending Tom Robinson, a black man, and that many white people think he should not have accepted the case. Atticus also tells Scout that the word nigger is offensive and that she should say Negro instead. Atticus is a lawyer and defending a person in court (where laws are applied) means to try and prove that a person accused of a crime is innocent. For Christmas, Atticus, Jem and Scout go and spend the day with Aunt Alexandra, Atticuss sister. She does not like Scout very much and thinks she should try to become more ladylike. Uncle Jack, Atticuss brother, spends Christmas there as well. He also wants to change Scout and make her more polite. Scout does not want to become a lady, wear a dress and a pearl necklace. She likes to wear pants and use bad language. The day becomes even worse when Francis, Scouts cousin, tells her that Atticus is a nigger lover. Although Scout had promised her father not to fight, she punches Francis and gets into trouble. Later on that evening, Scout overhears Atticus talking to Jack about the best way to bring up children, and that means telling them the truth when they ask questions. He also tells Jack about the coming court case and about all the problems that may happen because of it.

Adults should always tell children the truth? Discuss Atticuss statement.

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Chapter 10

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Northern_Mockingbird3.jpg Go to: http://www.freesound.org/samplesViewSingle.php?id=1055 and listen to a mockingbird.

Scout and Jem have received air rifles for Christmas, and Uncle Jack teaches them how to shoot. Atticus does not want to teach them because he says he is not interested in guns. He tells Jem not to shoot mockingbirds as they sing beautiful music, and do not hurt anyone or anything. Scout and Jem think that their father is old, and they are embarrassed that he cannot do anything like the other kids fathers. They would like him to be young, play football, and be more like a devil from hell. In the afternoon, a dog sick with rabies (a dangerous disease) wanders down the street. Calpurnia calls the children inside and rings Atticus to tell him. He arrives with the town sheriff, Heck Tate. The dog must be shot immediately before he hurts somebody. Heck is scared he might miss, and asks Atticus to shoot. The children are surprised when Atticus kills the dog instantly. Neither Jem nor Scout knew that their father could handle a gun so well They are so proud of him!
How

important is the incident of the mad dog? Could it have been left out of

the movie? Why? Why not? Make sure that you substantiate your answer fully.
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Chapter 11 Cloze passage- Fill in the blanks with the missing word.
Jem and Scout are now getting too 1 for the Boo Radley game and they prefer

to walk up to the shops of Maycomb when they have some free time. They also like to go and meet Atticus each evening when he comes home from work. Unfortunately, they have to pass Mrs Duboses house on the way. Mrs Dubose is a cranky widow who lives by herself with a black servant. She is always very 2 to

the children and keeps abusing them. Atticus has asked the children to hold their 3 and always be nice and polite to her because she is old and sick. However, one afternoon after she calls out to the children that 4 than the niggers and trash he works for, Jem 5 garden after she has gone in, and 6 is no better

his temper. He goes into her

the camellia bushes with a stick. . As a

Somehow, Atticus hears about it and makes Jem go to Mrs Dubose and 7

punishment, she forces him to come and read to her every afternoon for a few hours. Scout goes with him for over a month until Mrs Dubose tells them the 8 is over.

One evening, Atticus is called to Mrs Duboses house and comes home very late with a candy box. He tells the children that Mrs Dubose has just passed away and that she has left Jem a gift; it is a white 9 from one of her bushes. Jem is very of peace. Mrs Dubose has

angry at first but understands that the flower is a 10

offered forgiveness. It is difficult to accept, but Atticus explains how brave she was; Mrs Dubose was a morphine addict and she fought her addiction by herself.

old, Atticus, apologise, temper, punishment, destroys, camellia, loses, symbol, unpleasant
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Chapter 12 Atticus is very busy with work and often absent from home. Jem is growing up and wants to be left alone. To make things worse, Dill is not coming to Maycomb this summer, and Scout feels quite lonely. She spends more time with Calpurnia, and they both enjoy each others company. One Sunday, Calpurnia decides to take both children to her church. Atticus is still away, and she does not want them left unsupervised at home. When they arrive at the church, dressed in their best Sunday clothes, they are met at the doors by a black lady who says that white children are not welcome. Fortunately, the black community rallies around Calpurnia and the children, and they all go in to attend the service. Scout and Jem are surprised to see that there are no hymn books. It is because they are too expensive. Instead, the collection money is used to help Tom Robinsons wife, Helen. She has 3 children and cannot find work. Calpurnia explains that people do not employ her because Tom is in jail. When Scout wants to know what Tom has done, Calpurnia tells her that he has been accused of raping Myella Ewell. Scout does not understand what rape means, but Calpurnia says she needs to ask her father. When they get home from church, they see without any pleasure that Aunt Alexandra has come to stay Can you predict what the childrens reaction will be when they see their aunt has come to stay? How is Aunt Alexandras visit going to affect Scout and Jem?

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Chapter 13 Jem and Scout do not enjoy Aunt Alexandras company any more than she enjoys theirs They do not have much to say to one another as Aunt Alexandra is keen on enforcing good manners, and Scout on avoiding them. This situation leads to a number of conflicts between the children and their aunt and also between the adults themselves.

Have you ever had conflicts with your parents or another adult regarding manners? How did it make you feel? Did you modify your behaviour or did you think it was unjustified?

Chapter 14 The children become more and more aware of the growing hostility from the people of Maycomb towards them and their father because of the trial. Bickering continues at home between Scout and Alexandra, but also between Scout and Jem. However, the summer is not entirely negative as Dill has run away from home and come clandestinely to stay with them. Scout finds him one night hidden under her bed. He is dirty, hungry and very upset as he explains his reasons for running away. He feels unwanted by his mother and his new father, and begs to be allowed to spend the summer with the Finches.
Find the words that mean: 1. unfriendliness, aggression: . 2. court case: .............. 3. fighting, unkind remarks: ................ 4. in secret: ... Resource developed by Anne OBrien

Chapter 15 Dills mother allows him to stay in Maycomb with his aunt Rachel. He spends a lot of time playing with Scout. One evening, Heck Tate, the sheriff, and a large group of men come to the Finches house. Heck wants to warn Atticus that Tom Robinson is going to be moved to Maycomb jail for the trial. Heck and the men are worried that some people might try to lynch (to seize somebody believed to have committed
a crime and put him or her to death immediately and without trial, usually by hanging

)Tom.

On the Saturday night, Tom finally arrives in Maycomb and is put into jail. Atticus decides to spend the night guarding the jail to make sure Tom is safe. Without being seen, the three children follow him, and hide in the shadows when four cars arrive. Men get out of the cars and ask Atticus to move away from the door. As Scout fears for her fathers life, she runs towards him followed by the two boys. Atticus orders Jem to take Scout and Dill home but they all refuse to obey, which makes the men angry. Then, Scout sees Mr Cunningham in the crowd and decides to start a conversation with him. She reminds him that Atticus has helped him with his business and that she goes to school with his son, Walter. After listening to Scout, Mr Cunningham decides to lead the mob away. Tom, Atticus and the children are safe for the time being

Why did Atticus decide to guard the jail during the night? Why did the mob want Atticus to move away from the door? How does Scouts initiative impact on the situation? How did Tom feel during the incident?

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Chapter 16 In the morning, Atticus leaves home to go to court where the jury is going to be picked. The jury is made up of people who hear the evidence (facts) against the person accused, and who then need to reach a verdict (a decision). Atticus is worried about possible conflicts, and he wants the children to stay at home. However, unlike Scout and Jem, he holds no grudge against the mob who harassed him and the children last night. He explains that Scout and Jem need to stand in those peoples shoes to be able to understand them. After lunch, the three children decide to go to court despite Atticuss warning. When they get to the court house, it is so busy that they cannot find seats. Fortunately, Reverend Sykes, the black preacher from Calpurnias church, invites them to come and sit with him and the other black people.
1. The Structure of the modern US Court System
http://www.animallaw.info/articles/dduspleadingsoutline.htm

The basic idea is that there are two sides, the plaintiff and the defendant, who present their arguments before an impartial judge (and sometimes a jury). It is the judges duty to determine what the law is for a particular case. It is the jurys duty to determine what the facts are in the case. The lawyers in the case represent their clients to the very best of their ability. The system is generally a three-tiered one. A case is usually brought at the lowest court. Once this case is heard and a decision, or "judgment" has been made, both the defendant and the plaintiff can appeal the decision to a "Court of Appeals." It means that if they do not like what the judge and/or the jury decided, they can complain to the next higher level in the court system, and try to get the decision reversed. At the next court level, there are three options: it can be decided that the judge was wrong and the judgment must be changed, it can be decided that the judge was wrong and the case must be sent back for the judge to change, or the court can agree with the judgment of the lower court. Again, if either party to the case does not like the decision, they can appeal to the highest court, usually called the Supreme Court
How

do the highlighted words relate to the story? Identify each with a character or event

from the text. Resource developed by Anne OBrien

Chapter 17 Sheriff Tate is the first witness. He testifies that Bob Ewell came and reported that his daughter Mayella had been raped by Tom Robinson. Heck Tate then explains how he went over to the Ewells and found Mayella lying on the floor. She told him that Tom Robinson had beaten her up and raped her. The sheriff describes that most of her bruises were on the right side of her face and around her neck. Atticus questions Bob Ewell next and asks him why he did not call a doctor. Ewell says that Mayella did not need medical help and that the doctor would have cost him $5. Bob Ewell is a poor illiterate man whose wife has died and who lives with his children behind the towns garbage dump. Bobs responses to Atticus indicate that he is rude and obnoxious. Judge Taylor needs to remind him not to use offensive language. When Atticus asks Bob to write his name on a piece of paper and he uses his left hand, Scout understands what her father is trying to prove. Atticus wants the court to understand that Bob Ewell could have caused Mayellas injuries as a left hander is more likely to hit someone on her/his right side.

Rewrite this chapter as a script.

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Chapter 18 Mayella is the next witness. She seems to be scared of Atticus and finds it difficult to express herself. Judge Taylor reassures her and she is able to describe what happened to her. Mayella explains that she asked Tom Robinson to come and help her chop a chiffarobe (wardrobe) to use for fire wood. She says that Tom then assaulted her, beating and raping her. When Atticus starts questioning her, Mayella becomes very defensive. She thinks that Atticus is making fun of her as she mistakes his polite manners for mockery. As Atticus keeps questioning her, Mayellas responses paint a picture of terrible poverty and loneliness. There is little money at home and her father is often drunk. Her responses are often confused or contradictory and Atticus finds it difficult to get clear answers. She then stops responding altogether when Atticus asks whether it was Tom or her father who beat her up. How can Mayella mistake Atticuss good manners for mockery? What does this reveal about her life? What stops Mayella from telling the truth? If she could tell the truth, what would she say? If Mayella did tell the truth, how would it change the course of the story?

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CHAPTER 17-18- The court case

Design a front page newspaper article to relate the court case presented in chapters 17-18.

Name of your newspaper

Date of issue

MAIN STORY HEADLINE

Name of writer

Your main photo should grab the readers attention. Copy and paste a photo from a website or draw an illustration.

Follow the guidelines

In the first paragraph answer these questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why Grab the reader's attention by using an opening sentence which is a question or something unexpected.
Now,

Write a caption for your photo.

More stories: Rabies spread through the county page 2 Mob lynched by angry citizenspage 5 Story 3 headlinepage xx In other news Headline 1.page xx Headline 2.page xx Headline 3.page xx (choose headlines appropriate to the topic)

give the details. Include one or two quotes from people you interviewed. Write in the third person (he, she, it or they). Be objective. Use active verbs so the reader feels things are really happening. paragraph: Round off your article. Try ending with a quote or a catchy phrase. 'By ....'.

Last

By-line: At the end, state who wrote the article; Proof-read your article and edit where needed.

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Chapter 19 When it is Tom Robinsons turn to testify, it becomes evident as he takes the oath (a promise to tell the truth) that he cannot use his left arm. He caught it in a machine at the cotton factory when he was a boy, and has never been able to use his shrivelled arm since. Tom explains to the court that he is 25 years old, married and has 3 children. He is a farm worker and either picks cotton or other crops according to the season. He has known Mayella Ewell for a while as he has to walk past her place to go to work. He helped her chop a wardrobe last year and he did not accept any money for the work. Since then, Mayella has often asked him to help her with little jobs around the house. Tom has always been happy to help as he knows she cannot rely on anyone else. Scout reflects that Mayella must be very lonely. She cannot be part of black society as she is white, and she is not accepted by white society as she is desperately poor and marginalised. Tom must be the only person who has ever been decent (polite) to her Tom continues to explain that on November 21st last year, Mayella asked him to come inside her house as he was walking past her place. She then grabbed him, hugged him and kissed him. As Tom was trying to leave, Bob Ewell walked past and saw them through the window. He yelled out that Mayella was a whore and that he would kill her. When Tom is cross examined (to question a witness in order to check his or her testimony) by the prosecutor (a lawyer who questions the person accused of a crime to try and find him/her guilty), he swears that he never raped Mayella. However, the prosecutor questions him so harshly and treats him with such contempt that Dill starts crying out loud. Scout then takes him outside and explains that the prosecutor is only doing his job

Rewrite this chapter from Dills perspective either as a diary entry or a letter to his mother.

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Chapter 20
Once outside, Scout and Dill start talking to Mr Dolphus Raymond, a white gentleman married to a black lady with whom he has had a number of mixed colour children. The people of Maycomb do not approve of him and think he is a drunkard because he is often seen drinking from a bottle hidden in a paper bag, and walking around town unsteadily. Scout does not think that Dill should accept a sip of Mr Raymonds bottle, but he reassures her that it is only Coca Cola. Mr Raymond then explains that he only pretends to be a drunk. He thinks that it gives the people of Maycomb some reasons to blame for his friendly behaviour towards coloured people. When Dill feels better, the children return to the court house. Atticus is finishing his speech to the jury. He hopes that the member of the jury will understand that there is no evidence against Tom. Atticus also reminds them that there is no medical evidence of Mayellas rape and that she is the one at fault for trying to tempt Tom into kissing her. He reiterates the fact that Mayellas father is left handed and that the bruising on Mayellas face was most certainly caused by a left hander, whereas Tom can only use his right hand. Atticus then goes on to explain that truth does not just belong to white people and that Thomas Jefferson (3rd president of the United States) believed that all men were created equal. Therefore, Atticus wants the jury to be fair and recognise that Tom is innocent. Jem is certain that Atticus will win as he has made Toms case so clear, it is impossible not to believe in his innocence.
Go

to the web site below and listen to Atticuss speech (taken from the film)

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/moviespeechtokillamockingbird.html
Then,

read speech on next page and match the jumbled headings below to the correct paragraphs:

Mayell and Bob Ewell lied to the jury with confidence as they believed that white people will always believe other white people, no matter what. The US court system is just and treats people equally and fairly. Tom is a victim of his compassion. There is no case against Tom as it has been proven to the court that Mayella and Bob Ewell have been lying. Mayella is a victim of societys racist attitudes towards black people but she should not blame Tom for her own crime. Mayellas crime. Resource developed by Anne OBrien

Finch: To begin with, this case should never have come to trial. The State has not produced one
iota of medical evidence that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place. It has relied instead upon the testimony of two witnesses whose evidence has not only been called into serious question on cross examination, but has been flatly contradicted by the defendant. Now there is circumstantial evidence to indicate that Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led, almost exclusively, with his left [hand]. And Tom Robinson now sits before you, having taken "The Oath" with the only good hand he possesses -- his right. I have nothing but pity in my heart for the Chief Witness for the State. She is the victim of cruel poverty and ignorance. But, my pity does not extend so far as to her putting a man's life at stake, which she has done in an effort to get rid of her own guilt. Now I say "guilt," gentlemen, because it was guilt that motivated her. She's committed no crime. She has merely broken a rigid and timehonoured code of our society, a code so severe that whoever breaks it is hounded from our midst as unfit to live with. She must destroy the evidence of her offence. But, what was the evidence of her offence? Tom Robinson, a human being. She must put Tom Robinson away from her. Tom Robinson was to her a daily reminder of what she did. Now what did she do? She tempted a negro. She was white and she tempted a negro. She did something that in our society is unspeakable: She kissed a black man. Not an old uncle, but a strong, young negro man. No code mattered to her before she broke it, but it came crashing down on her afterwards. The witnesses for the State, with the exception of the sheriff of Lincoln County, have presented themselves to you gentlemen -- to this Court -- in the cynical confidence that their testimony would not be doubted; confident that you gentlemen would go along with them on the assumption, the evil assumption, that all negroes lie; all negroes are basically immoral beings; all negro men are not to be trusted around our women, an assumption that one associates with minds of their calibre, and which is in itself, gentlemen, a lie -- which I do not need to point out to you. And so, a quiet, humble, respectable negro, who has had the unmitigated TEMERITY to feel sorry for a white woman, has had to put his word against two white peoples. The defendant is not guilty. But somebody in this courtroom is. Now, gentlemen, in this country our courts are the great levellers. In our courts, all men are created equal. I'm no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and of our jury system. That's no ideal to me. That is a living, working reality! Now I am confident that you gentlemen will review without passion the evidence that you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this man to his family. In the name of God, do your duty. In the name of God, believe Tom Robinson.

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Chapter 21 The jury withdraws to deliberate (to think about the case and try to reach a verdict- a decision). In the meantime, the children go home to have lunch with Calpurnia and Aunt Alexandra. When they come back, the jury has reached a decision and Judge Taylor reads it out: guilty. As Atticus leaves the court house, all black people stand up.

Why do the black people stand up to watch Atticus leave the court room?

Chapter 22 It is now Jems turn to cry. He is upset and angry about the verdict and tells Atticus that it is not right. Atticus agrees and reassures him that there will be an appeal (the process of applying to the court to have the verdict reconsidered). When the Finches get up next day, Calpurnia shows them all the gifts of food that have been brought to their house by the black people who wanted to show how much they appreciate what Atticus has done for Tom. Miss Maudie is also keen to give them moral support, and she calls the children over to give them cakes she has baked. She explains to Jem that there are a number of white people who also believe in Toms innocence, such as herself, Sheriff Tate and Judge Taylor. Unfortunately, the children also hear an alarming report; Bob Ewell has spat at Atticuss face and warned him that he would get him even if it took him the rest of his life.

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Chapter 23 Jem and Scout are frightened by the incident. They fear for their fathers life and tell him that he should fight back. However, Atticus is not concerned as he thinks that Bob Ewell will forget about it now. Aunt Alexandra is not so sure and she fears that Bob Ewell might carry a grudge against Atticus. The children soon feel better and enquire about Tom. Atticus tells them he is in prison in another county at present. His case is going to be reviewed by a higher court and he might go free or have another trial. Jem and Atticus argue about the unfairness of the legal system. Jem believes that a verdict should be delivered by a judge rather than a jury, and Atticus that there is always a probability that someone might be innocent, especially if convicted without eye witness evidence. Jems belief in the goodness of people is shattered. He tells Scout that he is starting to understand why Boo Radley stays shut up inside his house; Boo wants to stay inside. Why does Jem think he can understand Boo Radley? In what way has Jem changed towards Boo? Why would Boo want to stay shut up inside his house?

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Chapter 24 While Jem is down at the creek teaching Dill how to swim, Scout is at home for Aunt Alexandras missionary circle. Most ladies in the neighbourhood have been invited to have tea and cakes at the Finches while discussing religious matters. Scout feels uncomfortable amongst those well dressed, made up and perfumed women. She sits next to Miss Maudie and tries to endure Miss Stephanies questions about her future career with patience. While the ladies gossip about the trouble they have with their black servants, Scout reflects on the fact that she prefers the company of men like her father and Jem rather than the company of ladies. Suddenly, Atticus walks in. It is unusual for him as he always tries to avoid coming home early when Aunt Alexandra has her missionary circle. He announces that Tom has been shot by the guards as he was trying to climb over the prison fence. Atticus wants Calpurnia to go with him to Toms place, so that he can tell Helen Robinson her husband is dead. Atticus is devastated as he strongly believed that there was hope for Tom who had a good chance in the upcoming appeal. However, it seems that Tom had lost hope in white mens justice, and that he wanted to try and save himself. Even Aunt Alexandra is shattered. She feels strong empathy for her brother, and is also angry at the people of Maycomb for putting so much pressure on him during Tom Robinsons trial. Miss Maudie comforts Aunt Alexandra saying that what really matters is that there is a handful of people who are grateful to Atticus for doing the right thing.

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Chapter 25 Atticus picks up Dill and Jem from the creek on his way to see Helen. The boys see her fall in the dirt of the path outside her house, overwhelmed with grief. For a couple of days, the people of Maycomb discuss Toms death, blaming him for trying to run away. They see his action as irresponsible. On the other hand, Mr Underwood, editor of the Maycomb Tribune , writes an article about Toms death, calling it senseless killing and comparing it to shooting songbirds. Jem hears some gossip from Miss Stephanie; Bob Ewell said that now that one is down, its about two more to go. Scout is scared, but Jem warns he will never speak to her again if she talks to Atticus about Bobs threat. In what way was Tom Robinson a mockingbird? Write your own editorial about Toms death.

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Chapter 26 When school starts again, Jem is in High School and Scout in third grade. Walking past the Radleys place, Scout remembers their childish games with shame, conscious that they must have been a nuisance for Boo. Nevertheless, she also recalls the small gifts he left them and imagines meeting him one day. At school, children and teacher discuss Hitlers persecution of the Jews. While the teacher voices strong disapproval of what is happening in Germany, Scout recalls Miss Gatess racist opinions against black people during Toms trial. Scout cannot understand Miss Gatess attitude, and asks Jem if he can make sense of it. Instead, Jem becomes extremely angry and tells Scout he never wants to hear about Toms trial ever again. Atticus explains that Jem is having a hard time trying to deal with the courthouse events, and that he needs time to be able to handle what happened. Why would it be more difficult for Jem than for Scout to deal with Toms trial? Write a diary entry from Jems perspective about this particular episode.

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Chapter 27 It is now October and Bob Ewell has become a nuisance for a number of people. First of all, when he is sacked from the Work Projects Administration (WPA provided jobs and income to the unemployed during the Great Depression in the US) for being lazy, Bob accuses Atticus of causing his job loss. Later, someone breaks into Judge Taylors house. Although no one has seen him, it is believed that the burglar was Bob Ewell. Lastly, Bob harasses Helen Robinson until her employer threatens to take legal action against him. Aunt Alexandra does not understand why Bob still seems to bear a grudge against all the people involved in Toms case. Atticus explains that although the jury found Tom guilty, the trial made Bob look like a liar and a fool. Halloween is approaching and Scout is involved in a pageant where she has to dress as a ham. The costume is large and bulky and Scout needs help to get dressed. Atticus and Aunt Alexandra are too busy to take her to the school hall, but Jem says he will walk with her.

What does this chapter reveal about Bob Ewell?

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Chapter 28
The children leave for the school auditorium in the evening. It is a short but difficult way as it is dark and they do not have a torch. They trip on tree roots and are frightened by a school friend who leaped at them in the dark. Once at the school, Scout dresses up for the parade. The speeches are so long that she falls asleep and misses her entrance. Scout is so embarrassed that she asks Jem to wait until the audience has left before going home. She even keeps her costume on to hide her shame and refuses a ride home, preferring to walk even though she has also lost her shoes. Jem holds on to the end of the ham to help Scout keep her balance. It is dark as the school lights have been turned off. On the way home, Jem hears noises as they walk, and thinks it might be a friend playing a trick on them again. They are now sure that someone is running towards them. Unfortunately, the combination of darkness, lack of shoes and bulky costume makes it difficult for the children to escape their follower. Soon, the aggressor is upon them and the children are separated. Scout hears Jem scream and manages to run into his attacker who then tries to kill her. Suddenly, there is another person on the scene and her attacker is flung away from her. In the dark, she manages to feel her way towards where she believes Jem to be, and touches a mans body lying on the ground. She then makes her way towards the road with great difficulty, and sees someone carrying Jem into their house. As Scout walks into the house, Aunt Alexandra and Atticus are relieved to see she is not hurt. Scout, however, is frightened that Jem might be dead. Dr Reynolds has been called and he reassures Scout that her brother is well apart from a broken arm. When she goes to see him in his room, he is asleep. The man who brought him back to the house is also in the room, standing quietly in a corner. Atticus had previously phoned Sheriff Tate to tell him about the attack on the children. Heck Tate now arrives at the Finches and explains that he has just found Bob Ewell lying dead under a tree with a kitchen knife stuck up under his ribs.

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Chapter 29 Sheriff Tate asks Scout to describe what happened on their way home from the school auditorium. She retells the events and answers some questions. Sheriff Tate explains that her ham costume probably saved her life as Bob Ewell tried to stab her with his knife. As Scout finishes her recount, she points to the man standing in the corner to identify their rescuer. Although she has never seen him before, she slowly comes to realise that it is Boo Radley. Chapter 30 When Doctor Reynolds comes back, Sheriff Tate and Atticus move outside to sit on the front porch with Scout and Boo a little further away. Atticus is under the impression that Jem stabbed Bob Ewell while trying to rescue Scout. He tells the Sheriff that the case will have to go to court as he does not want the murder to be hushed up. Otherwise, Atticus fears that there will always be a shadow of a doubt over Jems responsibility. Sheriff Tate manages to convince Atticus that Jem cannot have stabbed Bob Ewell as he is too small and also had a broken arm. The Sheriff is certain that Bob must have fallen on his own knife. Additionally, a court case would also bring Boo to public attention, and cause him great distress. Sherif Tate is adamant that it is now time to let the dead bury the dead. Scout agrees with him and adds that itd be sort of like shootin a mockingbird. Why does Atticus insist that the case should go to court? Why is Sherif Tate so determined not to go to court?

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Chapter 31 Scout takes Boo back to his house. He walks in and she never sees him again. She feels sad that although Boo gave them so much, she was never able to give him anything in return. As she stands on the Radley porch and turns around to walk back home, Scout realises that she can see things from a different angle. She now understands what Atticus meant when he said, you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. In the final chapter, Scout says, As I made my way home, I thought Jem and I would get grown but there wasnt much else left for us to learn, except possibly algebra. What does Scout mean? In the light of the events Scout and Jem went through, how correct is Scouts assessment? What does the final chapter bring to the story?

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