One of the reasons Harper Lee chose to write this book from a child’s point-of-view is the clarity with which children can see complex situations.  At the end of chapter 26, Miss Gates becomes almost teary-eyed talking about the policies of Nazi Germany. (1) Explain why the irony of this “current events” lesson is a source of confusion for Scout.  (2) Explain Atticus’s thinking when he tells Scout “It’s not OK to hate anybody”… even Hitler.  (3) How are these two points related?

“You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?”  Mr. Gilmer asked this question of Tom on the witness chair.  He did not need an answer.  The damage had been done.  Explain why it was such a sin for Tom to feel sorry for Mayella.

In chapter 18 we meet Mayella Ewell.  She has accused Tom Robbinson of a horrible crime, but why?  Think about her actions and behaviors on the witness stand.  What is going on in her life that she is in this situation.  Think about her age, environment, social standing, etc.  Write a reaction concerning your gut feelings about this young woman, how do you view her?

In chapter 13 (pg. 171), Atticus asks Scout if she’d like Aunt Alexandra to come live with the Finch’s in Maycomb.  Scout said she’d like it very much, which was a lie.  She reflects ” One must lie under certain circumstances and at all times when one can’t do anything about them”.  What does she mean by this in their situation?  Think of a personal example when not being honest was an imperative.

After the incident when Atticus shot the old dog with one bullet, Scout wonders why he has never shown pride in his talent and kept it secret.   Ms. Maudie says, “People in their right minds never take pride in their talents”.  What did she mean by this?  Do you agree or disagree with her assessment?

Atticus told the kids “Shoot all the Bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (pg119).  Scout then talked to Ms. Maudie about their conversation.  Explain in your own words what this means and how it is a metaphor for a life lesson, give an example.

One of the main themes in To Kill a Mockingbird is the idea of the coexistence of good and evil in human beings and our society.  We know there is good and bad aspects of most everything we experience in life.  Develop an idea either from the story, history, or your personal life that shows  this concept.

In our sometimes isolated world of Manheim Township we don’t often have exposure to abject poverty, particularly rural poverty.  During our readings in To Kill a Mockingbird, we have met two clans of “country folk”, the Cunninghams and the Ewells.  These two families live in different worlds than the middle-class townspeople of Maycomb.  (1) Compare and contrast the two clans: their behaviors, values, and reputations.  (2) Next, compare them to today’s urban poor.  What do the Cunnighams and the Ewells have in common with the poor in our cities today?  (3) What traits help people climb out of poverty, which traits ensure more of the same?

Think back a few years about the way you would have spent a lazy summer day.  What kind of games would you have created in your head?  How did you spend your time?  What kind of stuff got you in trouble?  What were your friends like?  Compare that lazy day in 2002 to what it might have been like in 1932 during the height of the Great Depression.

Over the next month or so we will be exploring the classic work “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee.  This award winning book is an American original that has impacted our conscience and forced us to look at our own prejudices for generations.