To Kill a Mockingbird
The Tom Robinson Trial:
Chapters 15-22 Analysis Questions
BEFORE THE TRIAL
1. What happens in front of the jail cell in chapter 15? To which theme(s) does this relate best?
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THE TRIAL
2. Tom Robinson accused of what crime? By whom?
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3. Who makes up the audience and who makes up the jury? Why is this important?
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THE PROSECUTION – MR. GILMER
THE FIRST WITNESS – SHERIFF HECK TATE
4. What information does he reveal? Is he biased? Explain.
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THE SECOND WITNESS – BOB EWELL
5. What is his attitude when he is testifying? Why is it so important that Atticus reveals that Bob is left handed?
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6. Why do you think Atticus makes such a point of the fact that no one called a doctor?
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THE THIRD WITNESS – MAYELLA EWELL
7. What is her attitude when she is testifying? Consider the following quote in your analysis:“Apparently Mayella’s recital had given her confidence, but it was not her father’s brash kind:there was something stealthy about hers, like a steady-eyed cat with a twitchy tail” (Lee 242).
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8. Is she telling the truth? How do you know?
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THE DEFENSE – ATTICUS
THE FOURTH WITNESS – TOM ROBINSON
9. What is his attitude while testifying? How does this compare/contrast with Bob and Mayella’s attitude?
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10. “Until my father explained it to me later,he would not have dared strike a white woman under any circumstances and expect to live long, so he took the first opportunity to run – a sure sign of guilt” (Lee 260-261) Explain Tom’s predicament here in your own words.
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11. “’You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?’ Mr. Gilmer seemed ready to rise to the ceiling. The witness realized his mistake and shifted uncomfortably in the chair. But the damage was done.
Below us, nobody liked Tom Robinson’ answer. Mr. Gilmer paused a long time to let it sink in”
(Lee 264). What is Tom Robinson’s mistake? Explain. What does this reveal about the society
they live in?
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12. What is wrong with Tom’s left arm? Why is this important?
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13. Who is Link Deas? How do his comments affect the trial?
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AFTER THE TRIAL
14. “I looked around. They were standing. All around us and in the balcony on the opposite wall, the
Negroes were getting to their feet. Reverend Sykes’s voice was as distant as Judge Taylor’s: ‘Miss
Jean Louise, stand up. Your father’s passin’” (Lee 283). Why do they all stand up? What does this
quote reveal about Atticus and Reverend Syke’s? What theme does this moment highlight?
Explain.
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15. Who is Dolphus Raymond? Why is he included
15 questions that need to be answered