Study Guide

1. Why do you suppose this film was shot in black and white?

2. Who is the narrator at the beginning of the film?

3. Why is Mr . Cunningham giving Atticus hickory nuts?

4. What is the "crash" that Atticus refers to?

5. For how long is Dill Harris visiting his Aunt Stephanie?

6. Who is the "meanest man who ever took a breath oflife?

7. Who is Boo? What does he look like? Why is he considered crazy?

8. What does Atticus tell Scout that she will inherit from her mother?

9. Why does Judge Taylor come to visit Atticus at home?

10. What does Atticus agree to do?

11. Why are Jem, Dill and Scout so fascinated with Boo Radley?

12. Why is Scout embarrassed about wearing a dress to school?

13. Why does Scout get into a fight with Walter Cunningham?

14. What is Atticus' s explanation for why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird?

15. Why does Scout decide that she will never go to school again?

16. According to Atticus, what is a "compromise"?

17. What is wrong with the dog? Why does Atticus shoot him?

18. Who is Helen Robinson? Why does Atticus visit her?

19. Why does Cal ride in the back seat when Atticus gives her a ride home?

20. Why does Scout fight with Cecil Jacobs?

21. Why is Atticus defimding Tom Robinson?

22. Why does Atticus decide to go over to the jail and read all night?

23. Are the children a help or a hindrance at the jail? Why?

24. What is interesting about where people sit in the court room?

25. Why is it a fair question for Atticus to ask Bob Ewell whether or not he can read?

26. Why does Atticus have Bob Ewell write his name?

27. Why won't Mayella Ewelllook at Tom Robinson from the witness stand?

28. Why is it dramatic for Atticus to demonstrate that Tom can't use his left arm?

29. Why is Tom's testimony so hard for him to give?

30. What makes the state's case against Tom weak?

31. What are the strengths of Atticus's defense of Tom Robinson?

32. Whom does Atticus think beat Mayella Ewell?

33. What ~ did Mayella break?

34. What is the make up of the jury? Do you consider this a jury of Tom Robinson ~ s ~?

35. Why do the Negroes stand up as Atticus leaves the court room?

36. How did Tom Robinson die?

37. Why does Atticus think they had "more than a good chance" to win an appeal?

38. What is offensive about the way Bob Ewe11 talks to the Negroes?

39. After Bob Ewe11 spits on Atticus, why does Atticus respond in the way that he does?

40. Why is Scout wearing the "ham" costume home?

41. Who goes after Jem and Scout?

42. Who helps them?

43. How did Bob Ewe11 die?

44. What is the effect of having told the story through Scout's eyes?

45. Is the sheriff's idea that Bob Ewell fell on his own knife plausible? Why or why not?

46. Why does the sheriff want to protect Boo Radley?

47. What does Scout mean that it would be like "shooting a mockingbird"?

48. What is the most powerful part of the movie in your opinion?