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3.
Answer the following questions and do the assignments: a)
1. Why do you think Harper Lee chose Charles Lamb’s quote as her novel’'s epigraph: “Lawyers, I
suppose, were children once"?
I think Harper Lee chose this quote for the novel's epigraph to show the aspect of child innocence and
how important it is to nurture it instead of hinder it.
This was a very important quote because it not only showed that you should not judge lawyers, or
anybody, but that you also can keep strong morals and rights even when being a lawyer, or cop for
instance.For example, Atticus was defending a black man, not only so that he could make money to
support his family, but also because he truly believed that blacks are not bad people, and that they
deserve a fair trial and treatment over all.
Lawyers can seem the opposite of children: while kids are innocent and say just what they feel (no
matter how embarrassing), lawyers plot and scheme and say whatever they need to in order to win their
case). Linking lawyers to children suggests these two opposites perhaps aren't so different after all.
2. Why does the novel have this title? What is the key idea of it? Where is the scene of the text set?
A mockingbird is a type of finch(зяблик). It is a small plain bird and has a beautiful song. It got its name
because its beautiful sing 'mocks' other birds.
"The title of To Kill a Mockingbird has very little literal connection to the plot, but it carries a great deal
of symbolic weight in the book. In this story of innocence destroyed by evil, the 'mockingbird' comes to
represent the idea of innocence. Thus, to kill a mockingbird is to destroy innocence."(НЕВИННІСТЬ) The
story deals with racial prejudice, and especially with the effect it has on children.
The title To Kill a Mockingbird is very significant to the novel as it portrays many forms of mockingbirds
throughout it. As the extract from the novel, it becomes clear that Tom Robinson is the true
Mockingbirds of the story. He is innocent from the accusations claimed upon him
3. What was Tom Robinson charged with?
Tom Robinson is arrested after being accused of assaulting and raping Mayella Ewell
Tom is found guilty of raping Mayella Ewell although reasonable doubt and Tom's handicap is proven,
HOWEVER, the jury deliberates for a few hours, which implies that they are considering the defense's
testimony.
The state has not produced one iota of medical evidence that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with
ever took place. It has relied instead upon the testimony of two witnesses whose evidence has not only
been called into serious question on cross examination, but has been flatly contradicted by the
defendant.
4. In what way did Atticus Finch speak to the jury and why? What did he say about the case and
Mayella Ewell?
Atticus begins his speech with a logical appeal to the audience. He begins by saying that there was not
enough evidence for the court to even come to trial
Stating these true and logical facts at the beginning of his speech is important, because it shows the jury
the loopholes in the case and plants seeds of doubt right from the start. It is easier to appeal to emotion
when the audience already has doubts.
Atticus appeals to the audience’s emotions by painting a picture of Mayella Ewell as a weak, beaten
woman whose only fault was kissing a man of darker skin. He evokes pity for Mayella at first, but then
changes that by saying that Mayella’s action of putting Tom Robinson’s life at stake to hide her own guilt
is unforgivable. Atticus then attempts to transfer the audience’s pity to Tom Robinson, who is the real
victim in the courtroom. He calls out the so-called ‘witnesses’ for assuming that the jury would believe
them just because of Robinson’s skin color. By doing this he appeals to the jury’s emotions by claiming
that they are smarter than only judging on skin color.
5. What did the girl do to get rid of her guilt?
And there, she has to perform a role: the poor innocent white woman attacked by the evil black man,
Mayella Ewell felt guilty after she was caught by her father making advances towards Tom Robinson.
After Bob Ewell had beaten his daughter, Mayella found it necessary to accuse Tom Robinson of
assaulting and raping her in order to save her reputation and get rid of her guilt.
6. What were the witnesses for the state sure of when giving their testimony? What was their evil
assumption?
the evil assumption—that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro
men are not to be trusted around our women, an assumption one associates with minds of their caliber.
7. What did Atticus Finch say about people not being created equal?
We know all men are not created equal in the sense some people would have us believe—some people
are smarter than others, some people have more opportunity because they’re born with it,some men
make more money than others, some ladies make better cakes than others—some people are born
gifted beyond the normal scope of most men.“But there is one way in this country in which all men are
created equal—there isone human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid
man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president. That institution,
gentlemen, is a court. It can be the Supreme Court of the United States or the humblest J.P. court in the
land, or this honorable court which you serve. Our courts have their faults, as does any human
institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created
equal.
8. Why didn't Atticus Finch believe firmly in the integrity of their courts and the jury system?
“I’m no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the jury system—that is no ideal to
me, it is a living, working reality.
9. What happened in a courtroom when the jury came in?
A jury never looks at a defendant it has convicted, and when this jury came in, not one of them looked
at Tom Robinson.
The foreman handed a piece of paper to Mr. Tate who handed it to the clerk who handed it to the
judge...
Judge Taylor was polling the jury: “Guilty... guilty... guilty... guilty...”
I peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each
“guilty” was a separate stab between them.
10. Suppose that Mayella had admitted that she was Jving when she testified against Tom. What
would have happened to her? What would’ve happened to Tom? Would the town have been willing
to accept Tom's innocence? Why or why not?
Perhaps she would be condemned by her father and all people, and black would be perceived
differently,in a better way.But I am not sure that the town would will to accept Tom's innocence,
because of his skin colour
11. What, if any, prejudices do African Americans face in today's world? Have the issues that Lee
discusses in To Kill a Mockingbird been resolved or are they ongoing? What forms of prejudice can you
identify in your community?
People of many different backgrounds say racial discrimination is a factor in the daily life of the country.
12. Comment on the quotations from the novel:\
a) “When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness' sake. But don't make a production of
it. Children are children, but they can spot an evasion quicker than adults, and evasion simply muddles
Agree.kids are different from adults, but he respects his children—which means no lying to them or
avoiding hard truths.
b) “Bad language is a stage all children go through, and it dies with time when they learn they're not
attracting attention with it." Do you agree with the author or not? Why or why not?
Agree because, children sooner or later will hear a bad languge and the aim of parents to show them
that it is not cool

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3.

Answer the following questions and do the assignments: a)

3. What was Tom Robinson charged with?

5. What did the girl do to get rid of her guilt?

9. What happened in a courtroom when the jury came in?

12. Comment on the quotations from the novel:\

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