What superstitions do the children have in connection with the Radley house?
Why do the children make Boo's story into a game?
What do they do in this game? Do you think the game is an accurate version of what happens in the Radleys' home?
What might be the cause of the laughter from inside the house?
Chapter 5
Describe Miss Maudie Atkinson? How typical is she of Maycomb's women? What do the children think of her?
What does Miss Maudie tell Scout about Boo? How does this compare with what Scout already believes?
Scout claims that “Dill could tell the biggest ones ” (lies) she ever heard. Why might Dill have told such lies?
What reasons does Atticus give for the children not to play the Boo Radley game? Do you think he is right? Why?
Chapter 6
Why does Scout disapprove of Jem's and Dill's plan of looking in at one of the Radleys' windows?
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?
Why does Dill's explanation of Jem's state of dress almost land him in trouble?
Chapter 7
When Jem tells Scout about getting his trousers back, he tells her of something strange. What is this?
Can you find any evidence that Jem is beginning to understand more than Scout about Boo Radley? What do you think this is?
Does Jem still fear the gifts in the tree? Give reasons for your answer.
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
Why does Scout quiz Atticus about his visit to the Radley house? How much does Atticus tell her?
What is the “near libel” which Jem puts in the front yard? How do Miss Maudie and Atticus react to it?
Why does Atticus save Miss Maudie's oak rocking chair?
When Atticus asks Scout about the blanket around her shoulders, what does Jem realize?
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?
Homework Questions on Chapters 4-7
Chapter 4
- What superstitions do the children have in connection with the Radley house?
- Why do the children make Boo's story into a game?
- What do they do in this game? Do you think the game is an accurate version of what happens in the Radleys' home?
- What might be the cause of the laughter from inside the house?
Chapter 5- Describe Miss Maudie Atkinson? How typical is she of Maycomb's women? What do the children think of her?
- What does Miss Maudie tell Scout about Boo? How does this compare with what Scout already believes?
- Scout claims that “Dill could tell the biggest ones ” (lies) she ever heard. Why might Dill have told such lies?
- What reasons does Atticus give for the children not to play the Boo Radley game? Do you think he is right? Why?
Chapter 6Chapter 7
- When Jem tells Scout about getting his trousers back, he tells her of something strange. What is this?
- Can you find any evidence that Jem is beginning to understand more than Scout about Boo Radley? What do you think this is?
- Does Jem still fear the gifts in the tree? Give reasons for your answer.
- 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