In reflecting on the old stories his mother told he and is siblings, Mark learned many deep life lessons.  In the last 5 paragraphs of chapter 12 (pg79 & 80) he summarizes these lessons in a clear and moving way.  Choose a portion of one of those paragraphs that means the most to you and rewrite it here.  Reflect on why it “hits home” for you and why you think others should learn it’s wisdom.

Chapter 9 focuses on the Evangelists who come to Alexandria to “save” the local population.  Give your personal reaction to their mission.  Address the following five aspects: Do they have an ethical “right” to convert locals from tribal religions? Did their methods and approaches help or hurt the cause of Christianity? Do you see the evangelist’s actions as “Christ-like”? If you were the father, would you have reacted the same way? What do you think of the mother’s explanation of the “whiteness” of the depictions of G-d and the Devil(pg61)?

One theme of Kaffir Boy is the trials of raising children in an environment of abject poverty.  The question has been raised in class of why would people still have kids if they know they can’t provide for them?  Why do you think this is? Please include factors (human, medical, cultural, etc.) that might play into this.  Draw parallels between the author’s experiences in South Africa and people in our society who have children and are not prepared.

Chapter 5 focuses on the rituals that Mark’s father insisted on passing on to his family and particularly his sons.  What is the difference between rituals, traditions, and superstitions?  Why was it important for his father to pass on these rituals?  What are rituals you keep in your life or know of others practicing?

Kaffir Boy is a true story of Mark Mathabane who moved against overwhelming odds to escape the worst kind of poverty and racism.  Over the next several weeks we will explore the qualities and circumstances that not only allowed him to survive, but eventually find success and peace.

In Chapters 1 & 2, the author looks at the naked racism that surrounded him from the moment of his birth.  Explain the difference between racism and prejudice.  Describe how racism is illustrated in the beginning of the book.

In chapter 31, Scout laments that she and the kids have never “given” Boo anything and that made her “sad”.  Do you think this is true?  Do you think Boo has been able to take something from his unusual relationship with the kids?  What is the evidence of this?  Why did Boo do what he did?

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?