To Kill a Mockingbird

Study Questions for Chapters 16-18

Chapter 16

1. What subtle change does Scout notice in her father?

Whenever Atticus would talk to Aunt Alexandra, there was a quiet digging in but never outright
irritation.
2. What sort of person is Dolphus Raymond?
Dolphus Raymond is a rich white man who drinks a lot because his fiance killed herself and he now
associates with the Negroes.
3. How does Reverend Sykes help the children see and hear the trial? Is he right to do?
Reverendo Sykes invites the children up to the colored balcony so they can see the whole courthouse
4. Comment on Judge Taylor's attitude to his job. Does he take the trial seriously or not?
Judge Taylor takes his job lightly, it would seem to the public, but he is very serious about it.

Chapter 17

1. What are the main points in Heck Tate's evidence? What does Atticus show in his crossexamination of Sheriff Tate?
Heck Tate's evidence consists of the injuries of the girl. Atticus shows that no one called the doctor
and which side of her that was beaten.
2. What do we learn indirectly of the home life of the Ewell family in this chapter?
The description of the Ewell home, their neighborhood, and the way that rest of the city threats them
helps the reader indirectly learn about the Ewell home life.
3. What do you learn from Bob Ewell's evidence?
He confirms Tate's evidence.
4. Why does Atticus ask Bob Ewell to write out his name? What does the jury see when he
does this?
Atticus asks Bob to write his name to prove that he can read and write. The jury sees that he is left
handed.
Chapter 18

1. Is Mayella like her father or different from him? In what ways?

Magellan is like her father. They speak the same way, work the same, and have to same outlooks and
regards.
2. What might be the reason for Mayella's crying in the court?
Magellan might be crying in court because she wants sympathy and pity from the judge or she is
traumatized by what happened to her.
3. How does Mayella react to Atticus's politeness? Is she used to people being polite?

She thinks that Atticus is mocking her an teasing her when he is just being polite. She has never been
spoken to like this before so she just assumes he is making fun of her when he is just showing her
common curtesy.
4. 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?
Mr. Glimmer proves Tom's guilt relatively well to the jury because he is thought to be a respectable person
in the community. The reader might see this differently because he is just telling the story of what is
thought to have happened and not showing any material evidence.