To kill a mockingbird chapter 9 : answer the followingquestions in complete sentences:
1.What advice does Atticus have for Scout?
2. Scout and Jem have “mixed feelings†about Christmas. Whatare these feelings and why?
3. Why is Aunt Alexandra critical of the way Atticus israising Scout? In light of this criticism, what is ironic about thefact that Francis is learning to cook?
4. How does Scout respond to Aunt Alexandra’s vision of whatit means to be “ladylike� What does Atticus think about Scout’sconformity to gender roles?
5. Harper Lee uses dehumanizing language in the novel todeliberately illustrate the society she writes about. Thedehumanizing power of the “N†word and the ease with which someAmericans have used it to describe their fellow human beings iscentral to understanding the themes of identity and human behaviorat the heart of the book. When Atticus tells Scout not to use thatlanguage, he says it’s “common.†Look up the definition of the wordcommon. Atticus is not using the word common to mean somethingprevalent or something that occurs or is found often. Write thedefinition he means instead. What does this indicate about hisexpectations of Scout?
6. What does it say about the power of the “N†word that Scoutis moved to anger by the insult Francis hurls at her about herfather, even though she does not know what the insult means? Whatdoes this insult mean to the other residents of Maycomb? Why is itsuch a powerful insult?
7.Discussing the Tom Robinson case with Uncle Jack, Atticusrefers to “Maycomb’s usual disease.†What does he mean? Why doesn’the suffer from it?
8.What reasons (more than one) does Atticus give for defendingTom Robinson?
9.What factors influenced his choice to take the caseseriously? How does he expect the case will turn out?
10. Atticus explains to Scout: “This time we aren’t fightingthe Yankees, we’re fighting our friends. But remember this, nomatter how bitter things get, they’re still our friends and this isstill our home.†Are there some fights you can have with friendsthat make it impossible to remain friends? What types of fights arethose? What does it say about Atticus that he doesn’t view theinsults he receives for defending Tom Robinson as reason enough toend any friendships? How can you respond when friends or familymembers express views that you find abhorrent?
