To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter Nine

Discuss Atticus’ statements about the use of the “n” word.

Why does Atticus want to defend Tom Robinson?

• By defending Tom Robinson he is doing what’s right as a lawyer.

• If he doesn’t defend Tom he becomes another common person in Maycomb (racist).

• Page 76 (101)• (80)• All though the people in Maycomb feel that Tom Robinson

shouldn’t be defended because he is black, Atticus feels it is duty as a lawyer to defend all people.

• Atticus would be a hypocrite if he didn’t defend Tom. • Feels that it is duty to fight this case because it affects him

personally.

What point does Atticus make when he says, “simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to

win?” • Page 76 (101) Even though Atticus doesn’t

think he would win he went ahead and took the case anyway.

• (pg. 80) Atticus knows that it is the right thing to do even though he knows he won’t win.

Why do you suppose Atticus allows Scout to curse? Is this a good idea?

What are Aunt Alexandria’s ideas about the way a girl “should act”? What

impression does this make on Scout? •Pg 81.(108) “Girls should not be wearing pants, they should play with stoves and tea sets and wear the pearl necklace Scout had gotten when she was born.” Girls should be doing indoor, domestic things and not be playing out on the playground and beating up people.

What lesson does Uncle Jack learn from Scout?

• Page 85 (113)

Why does Atticus want Scout to hear his conversation with Uncle

Jack?• Atticus wants Scout to hear his conversation

with Uncle Jack because he wants his kids to understand that it’s a sign of strength to ignore hurtful words and hurtful behavior rather than to give in and to fight over it.