To Kill a Mockingbird / Questions

Chapter 18
Is Mayella like her father or different from him? In what ways?
What might be the reason for Mayella's crying in the court?
How does Mayella react to Atticus's politeness? Is she used to people being polite?
How well does Mr. Gilmer prove Tom's guilt in the eyes of the reader (you) and in the eyes of the jury? Can you suggest why these might be different?
Chapter 19
What made Tom visit the Ewell's house in the first place?
Why does Scout think that Mayella Ewell was “the loneliest person in the world”?
In your own words explain Mayella's relationship with her father.
How does Dill react to this part of the trial? Why is this, in your opinion?
Chapter 20
Scout says that “Mr. Dolphus Raymond was an evil man”. Is she right?
In most states of the USA people who drink alcohol in public places are required to hide their bottle in a paper bag. Why does Dolphus Raymond hide Coca-Cola in a bag?
What, according to Atticus, is the thing that Mayella has done wrong?
Explain, in your own words, Atticus's views on people's being equal.
Chapter 21
What does Jem expect the verdict to be? Does Atticus think the same?
What is unusual about how long it takes the jury to reach a verdict? Is the verdict predictable or not?
As Scout waits for the verdict, she thinks of earlier events. What are these and how do they remind us of the novel's central themes?
Chapter 22
Although Atticus did not want his children in court, he defends Jem's right to know what has happened. Explain, in your own words, Atticus's reasons for this. (Look at the speech beginning, “This is their home, sister”.
Miss Maudie tells Jem that “things are never as bad as they seem”. What reasons does she give for this view?
Why does Dill say that he will be a clown when he grows up? Do you think he would keep this ambition for long?
This story is set in the 1930s but was published in 1960. Have attitudes to racism remained the same (in the USA and the UK) or have there been any changes (for the better or worse) since then, in your view?
Why does Bob Ewell feel so angry with Atticus? Do you think his threat is a real one, and how might he try to “get” Atticus?
Chapter 23
What do you think of Atticus's reaction to Bob Ewell's challenge? Should he have ignored Bob, retaliated or done something else?
What is “circumstantial evidence”? What has it got to do with Tom's conviction?
What does Atticus tell Scout about why the jury took so long to convict Tom?
Why does Aunt Alexandra accept that the Cunninghams may be good but are not “our kind of folks”? Do you think that people should mix only with others of the same social class? Are class-divisions good or bad for societies?
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?

We´ve Got Mail - Always

Reflecting on Content
º "Is e-mail a blessing or a curse?" How would you answer this question yourself?
º Leonard describes the "Devil´s bargain". Can you think of another form of technology that has resulted in society´s gaining and losing something at the same time? Discuss

Your Thoughts On The Class

Write for 20 minutes as practice for the term test. Make an evaluation of our class, what you learned, what you would have liked to learn, changes you suggest and /or any other ideas you´d like to mention. This will help me for future classes, at the same time it will help you to "loosen your hand"!

CHINA, SOUTH AFRICA AND EUROPE IN THE WORLD TODAY

China, South Africa and Europe.....what is their role in this changing world?

Free Writing

Be creative, use your imagination and just write for 20 min. on the subject "Video Games".

May 17, 2008

- Write an essay using the introduction given in class. Write about 350 words, not counting the introduction. Be sure and give it a title.

THE SCARLET LETTER

Choose one of the following to write about. This is due on Monday, May 5th.

º Compare and contrast Hester Prynne to Elizabeth Proctor.
º Compare and contrast Rev. Dimmesdale to Rev. Parris.
º "Rules are necessary to maintain Order." How was this important in The Crucible and The Scarlet Letter?