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Describe Calpurnia as Scout depicts her in Chapter 1

Calpurnia as all

angles and bones, nearsighted, and owning a wide, hard hand which she used to discipline Scout

What does Dill dare Jem to do?

Dill dares Jem to touch the Radley house

What events led to Arthur's being shut into the house?

Arthur and some other boys formed a group which was the nearest thing that Maycomb had ever had to a

gang. They hung around the barbershop, rode the bus on Sundays to go to the movies, attended dances at the

"gambling hell," and experimented with whiskey.

The townspeople of Maycomb have some fears and superstitions about the Radley Place. Describe these

fears and superstitions.

The people of Maycomb say that Arthur goes out at night after the town is asleep. Many people fear the

Radley Place and cross the street to avoid it. Any lost ball in the Radley's yard remains there.

Whose idea was it to make Boo come out of the house?

It was Dill's idea to make Boo come out of his house.

How important is bravery to Jem?

Scout says that Jem always takes a dare. Bravery is of great importance to him. It is because of his need to

be brave that Jem runs into the Radley yard and slaps the house.

Describe some of the customs of the town of Maycomb.

On Sundays the people of Maycomb go visiting; the ladies wear their Sunday best for this event. The

Radleys do not participate, however; they keep their shades drawn to discourage visitors. The pace on

Sundays in Maycomb is slow; the citizens scorn activities like picture shows on Sundays. When serious

illness comes to a family, sawhorses are put up to cut down on traffic and noise. Straw is put in the street to

cut down the noise of those who must use the street. The primary social events in the town are church-related

activities.

What goal do the children plan to achieve before the end of the summer?

Before the end of the summer the children run out of ideas for play. Dill gives them the idea to make Boo

Radley come out of his house.

Mr. Connor is described as "Maycomb's ancient beadle." What is a beadle?

A beadle is a crier or officer of the court. Mr. Connor is evidently a bailiff of the court.

Who is Scout's first grade teacher?

Miss Caroline is Scout's first-grade teacher.

Tell what a compromise is and give an example.

A compromise is an agreement reached by two parties; often some concessions must be made by one or

both of the parties. An example from To Kill a Mockingbird is when Atticus and Scout decide to continue to

read each night if Scout will go to school.

What does it mean to "climb into his skin and walk around in it?"

Atticus is merely trying to get Scout to put herself in someone else's position.

When Walter gets near the Finch house, Scout says he "had forgotten he was a Cunningham." What does

she mean?

Walter has quickly forgotten that the Cunninghams do not accept that which they cannot repay. He is eager

to eat!

Why does Atticus say Scout should ignore Jem in the tree house?

He tells her one should ignore some things. This is a type of behavior modification.

What is a cootie?

A cootie is another name for a head or body louse.

Why does Walter think he almost died the first year in school?

Walter thinks he almost died from eating poisoned pecans.

Why does Atticus say that Scout is not to mention the compromise they made when she goes to school?

Atticus says at first that the learned authorities would receive their activities with "considerable

disapprobation," or disapproval. He translates it to mean that he does not want Miss Caroline after him

What events lead to Burris's leaving school before the day is over?

First, Miss Caroline saw a "cootie" on him. Then she dismissed him for the rest of the day to go home and

wash his hair in lye soap and kerosene; she also reminded him—in front of the class—to bathe before coming

back to school. After he tells her he will not be back, she asks him to sit down. Burris refuses and is

confronted by Chuck. Miss Caroline tells him to go home or she will get the principal. Burris reminds her

impolitely that she cannot make him do anything. He waits until he is sure she is crying, and then he shuffles

off home. Burris always quits school the first day.

Little Chuck Little tells the teacher that Mr. Ewell is "right contentious." What does this mean?

He meant that Mr. Ewell was quarrelsome.

Describe Burris Ewell.

Burris was the filthiest human Scout had ever seen. His neck was dark grey and his nails were black into

the quick. He was rude to the teacher and said that she could not make him do anything he did not want to do.

Describe the Cunningham family.

The Cunningham family is a poor family. They are so poor that Scout believes that Walter "had probably

never seen three quarters together at the same time in his life." Despite the lack of material possessions, the

Cunninghams have a reputation to uphold. They never take anything they cannot pay back. They even refuse

church baskets and scrip stamps. The family does not have much, but they get along with what they have.

When they use Atticus' services, they pay him back with stovewood, hickory nuts, smilax, holly, and turnip

greens. The Cunninghams have pride in their land and go hungry to keep it and to vote as they please.

How does Scout learn to write?

Scout learns to write at the kitchen table with Calpurnia setting her a writing task. Calpurnia would write

the alphabet across the top of a tablet and then copy a Bible chapter beneath. Scout's task would be to copy

the material satisfactorily. A reward of a bread, butter, and sugar sandwich would be doled out if Calpurnia

considered the task well-done.

How does Miss Caroline contradict herself in her views on teaching reading?

Miss Caroline says that Atticus "does not know how to teach"; yet Scout is reading well—even the

stock-market quotations. She tells Scout that "It's best to begin reading with a fresh mind." Scout, however,

is not a beginning reader but a good one. Miss Caroline advocates the Language Experience Approach which

uses sight words on cards; she does not advocate the phonics method which uses the alphabet and has the

students sound out words. Scout seems to know the letters and is reading by that method, but Miss Caroline

wants to change her way of reading.

How does Miss Caroline contradict herself about the use of imagination?

Miss Caroline reads a very imaginative story to the students about chocolate malted mice and cats with

clothes. The farm children are not at all impressed with the story. Later when Scout is telling about a change

in her family name, Miss Caroline will not listen. Miss Caroline admonishes Scout; "Let's not let our

imaginations run away with us, dear. . . ."

The students in the class show some prejudice against Miss Caroline when she tells the class she is from

Winston County, Alabama. Explain this prejudice.

Miss Caroline is from North Alabama, from Winston County. On January 11, 1861, when Alabama seceded

from the Union, Winston County did not condone this action; it seceded from Alabama. The rest of the state

was still angry with Winston County 70 years later. In addition, the rest of the state believed that the county

"was full of Liquor Interests, Big Mules, steel companies, Republicans, professors, and other persons of no

background."

How does Scout learn to read?

Scout learns to read by climbing into Atticus's lap and watching his finger move underneath the print of

whatever he might be reading.

Why is Mrs. Blount, the sixth-grade teacher, angry with Miss Caroline?

Miss Blount says the sixth grade cannot concentrate on their study of the pyramids because of the noise in

the first-grade class. She is angry with Miss Caroline Fisher for allowing—and possibly contributing to—the

chaos.

What is the Dewey Decimal System?

The Dewey Decimal System is a way of arranging library books and materials. It is not a way to teach

reading, as Jem mistakenly explains.

What events lead to the conflict between Scout and Miss Caroline?

Scout finds disfavor with Miss Caroline, first of all, when she reads aloud from The Mobile Register and

from My First Reader. Later, when Scout tries to explain the Cunningham philosophy, she angers Miss

Caroline even more.

What is the first present Scout finds in the tree?

Scout finds chewing gum in the tree first.

When Dill says that he helped engineer the train, Jem says, "In a pig's ear you did, Dill." What does this

mean?

The idiomatic expression "In a pig's ear" means "impossible."

Why has "Calpurnia's tyranny, unfairness, and meddling . . . faded to gentle grumblings of general

disapproval," according to Scout?

Scout's attitude—rather than Calpurnia's behavior—may be the reason for the statement. Scout is spending

less time with Calpurnia; possibly they miss each other. Scout is also growing and maturing; this is probably a

principal reason for their improved relationship. Scout herself admits that she "went to much trouble,

sometimes, not to provoke her."

What does Jem call Miss Caroline's teaching methods?

He calls it the Dewey Decimal System.

What is the second present found in the tree?

Indian-head pennies are the second gifts found in the tree

Who is the "meanest old woman that ever lived"?

Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose is the "meanest old woman that ever lived."

When Atticus asks the children if their game pertains to the Radleys, Jem says "No sir." Atticus merely

responds, "I hope it doesn't." Why does he stop the conversation at that point?

Atticus may have been following his own lesson: ignore the behavior and it will go away. Atticus did not

usually forbid the children to do anything. Rather he posed things in such a way that they could make their

own decision.

How do cowardice and bravery figure into Scout's taking part in the dramas about the Radley family?

Scout is at first frightened to participate in the dramas. Jem and Dill accuse her of being afraid. After the

incident with Atticus, Scout is hesitant about playing again. Jem accuses her of "being a girl."

What is a Hot Steam?

A Hot Steam can be detected if one is walking along a lonesome road at night and comes to a hot place.

The Hot Steam is actually someone who cannot get into heaven and just stays in lonely places. If a person

walks through the Hot Steam, the person will become Hot Steam after death and perhaps even suck the breath

from people.