To Kill a Mockingbird

Study Questions for Chapters 21-23

Answer in complete sentences below. Add page numbers where the information can be found.
Chapter 21
1. What does Jem expect the jurys verdict to be? Does Atticus expect the same?
Although Atticus expects the verdict of guilty, Jim thinks that if he delivers his case well enough, Atticus can prove
Tom Robinson not guilty.

2. What is unusual about how long it takes the jury to reach a verdict? Is the verdict predictable or not?
The jurys long deliberation to reach a verdict is unusual. This shows that they actually discussed the possible
scenarios as opposed to jumping to conclusions, even though they came to the predicted conclusion he was guilty

3. What does Scout notice about the jury when they come in, and what is she sure of?
A jury never looks at a defendant it has convicted, and when this jury came in, Scouts noticed that not one of the
jurors even glanced at Tom Robinson, causing her to think that they had convicted him.

4. Why does Reverend Sykes make Scout stand up with the people in the balcony as Atticus leaves the
Courtroom?
Out of respect for Atticus, Reverend Sykes makes scout stand it along with everyone in the balcony.

Chapter 22

5. Why is Jem so upset at the beginning of this chapter?

Jem is upset at the beginning of this chapter because he is disturbed to see how corrupt and prejudiced the jury is
and how they could ignore all of the evidence to convict Tom Robinson just because he is African American.

6. How does the Black community show their appreciation to Atticus, and what is his reaction?
The black community shows their appreciation to Atticus by giving the family almost literally tons and tons of food.

7. Although Atticus did not want his children in court, he defends Jem's right to know what has happened.
Explain Atticus's reasons for this. (Look at the speech beginning, This is their home, sister, page 212).
Atticus defends Jems right to know what happened because this trial is is just a part of Maycomb culture as the
missionary teas and should not be something that is to be swept under the carpet.

8. Miss Maudie tells Jem that things are never as bad as they seem. What reasons does she give for this view,
and what does she tell the children about the citizens of Maycomb?
Miss Maudie tells Jim that "things are never as bad as they seem" because she is seeing things happen and
Maycomb that he isn't. She points out that all of the black community supported Tom Robinson, Judge Taylor
appointed Atticus as his lawyer as opposed to Maxwell Green, and sheriff Tate did his best to show that may yellow
could only have been beaten by a left-handed person.

9.

How and why does Bob Ewell express his displeasure with Atticus?

Bob you'll express his displeasure with Atticus by spitting is tobacco juice in his face.

Chapter 23
10. What do you think of Atticus's reaction to Bob Ewell's challenge? What does he advise Jem to do?
Attic is merely excepts Bob Ewells ridicule and moves on with his day. He advises Jim not to react to it and to just
ignore it.

11. What is circumstantial evidence? What has it got to do with Tom's conviction?
Circumstantial evidence is evidence that creates a foundation for a person, specifically a judge, to create a
general idea of what happened. In the Tom Robinson case, the concrete evidence (Mayellas cuts and bruises; not
calling a doctor) did not match up with the circumstantial evidence (Mayella and Bob Ewell's testimonies), but
since the prosecutor was white and the defendant was black, the circumstantial evidence won out over the concrete
evidence.

12. What does Atticus tell Scout about why the jury took so long to convict Tom? What does he tell Jem about
who was on the jury and why he let that man remain on the jury?
Atticus tells Scout that the jury took so long to convict Tom because they thought it wise to at least consider the
possibility that may yellow could have lied. He also tells Jim that Mr. Cunningham was on the jury and he let him
stay on the jury, despite his previous threats of death, because he had changed his ways.

13. At the end of this chapter, Jem forms a new theory about why Boo Radley has never left his house in years.
What is this? How likely is it to be true, in your opinion?
At the end of this chapter, Jim forms the theory that Bradley stays inside his house because he wants to stay in there
because it is orderly and less confusing than the world outside. Well this conclusion make sense, I doubt that is true
because if it were, Boo would at least have contacted them in someway other than soap dolls and broken pocket
watches.