Why does Atticus ask whether anyone called for a doctor? He wants to establish if someone fair and impartial had an opinion on how Mayella was injured. The doctor would be considered an expert. It’s important because the Ewells have a bad reputation and Atticus thinks they are not to be believed or trusted.

Describe Mayella’s injuries She was beaten around the head and had bruises on her arms. She also had a black eye (her right eye…that’s important!) and finger marks around her gullet (throat).

Where do the Ewells live? Describe their home and living conditions. The Ewells live behind the town garbage dump in what was once a Negro cabin. Besides the trash and old cars in their front yard, one thing stands out: a set of chipped jars holding Mayella's well-tended bright red geraniums. There are between 6 to 9 kids living on the property.

Why do you think the Ewells eat squirrel, possum, and rabbit? Bob Ewell can’t/won’t hold a job and the family has to eat these animals to avoid starving.

Summarize Bob Ewell’s interpreatation of the incident. He came home to hear Mayella screaming inside the house, ran to the window and saw Tom Robinson raping her. He then ran to get Sheriff Tate to have Tom arrested.

Why does Atticus ask Ewell to write his name? Atticus wants to show the judge and jury that Bob Ewell is left-handed. This will be important.

What do you think Jem realizes when he pounds the rail and says, “We’ve got him”? Jem realizes that the injuries to Mayella were very likely caused by a left-handed person. Bob Ewell identified himself as left-handed.

What does Scout mean when she says, “I thought Jem was counting his chickens”? Scout thinks Jem is too quick to believe that Bob Ewell may have hurt his own daughter. Tom Robinson might be left- handed, too, and from where she's sitting he certainly looks strong enough to have beaten up Mayella. There is something, however, Scout does not know.

Chapter 18 Mayella Ewell’s Testimony

Why does Mayella think Atticus is mocking her? Mayella thinks the way Atticus is talking to her (Ma’m and Miss Ewell) is sarcastic. She does not realize that Atticus treats all people fairly and with respect.

What more do we learn about the Ewell family from Atticus’ cross examination? Mayella is the oldest child. The family does not have enough money to feed all the kids. Bob Ewell drinks up most of the relief check. The children are often left to take care of themselves.

Desrcibe the “incident,”according to Mayella’s testimony. Mayella says she called Tom Robinson inside the fence that evening and offered him a nickel to break up a dresser (chiffarobe) for her, and that once he got inside the house he grabbed her and took advantage of her.

What is wrong with Tom Robinson’s left arm? How did it get this way? Tom’s left hand is a foot shorter than his right and his left hand is small and shriveled. Tom’s arm was torn apart by a cotton gin when he was a boy. How could Tom have committed the crime based on the evidence presented?

Who does Atticus suggest actually beat up Mayella? Atticus pleads with Mayella to admit that there was no rape. Instead, Atticus wants Mayella to admit that her father beat her. Mayella shouts at Atticus and yells that the courtroom would have to be a bunch of cowards not to convict Tom Robinson; she then bursts into tears, refusing to answer any more questions.

Chapter 19 Tom Robinson’s Testimony

How does Tom’s story immediately contradict Mayella’s testimony? Mayella testified Tom was only on her property this one time. Tom testifies that Mayellla had asked him to come on her property many times in the past.

How did Mayella get Tom to come inside the house? Mayella asks Tom to come in the house to fix a broken screen door. When Tom goes in the house, the door is not broken. It is all part of Mayella’s plan.

How did Mayella get rid of the children that particular day? Mayella saved up enough money to pay for all the other Ewell children to go into town and buy some ice cream. Mayella wanted to be alone with Tom.

What did Mayella do to Tom, according to his testimony? Mayella asked Tom to stand on a chair and get a box down for her from the top of a chiffarobe. When he is on the chair, she grabs him around the legs. When he gets off the chair, she begins hugging and kissing him.

Why did Tom run away from the Ewell place? What was his predicament? Tom was afraid of what would happen to him after being in the middle of this situation. Tom was in a no-win situation: if he hit or pushed Mayella to try and escape, he would surely be in trouble because he was black; if he ran away, however, he would look very guilty. What could he do?

Who came to Tom’s defense in the courtroom? What did he say? Mr. Link Deas rose up in the audience and told everyone in the courtroom that Tom had worked for him for eight years and never caused any trouble.

Why do you think Tom was so scared of being accused of hurting Mayella? Given the racism that exists in Maycomb, Tom’s life is effectively over because he is being accused of harming a white woman.

Why does Dill get so upset at Mr. Gilmer that it makes him sick? Dill is sickened by Mr. Gilmer’s attitude and tone when he questions Tom Robinson. Dill sees the treatment as being unfair. Scout tries to explain that’s what lawyers do.

Chapter 20 The Closing Argument of Atticus Finch

Who do Dill and Scout meet outside? What do they learn about him? Why does he go through such trouble to pretend? They meet Mr. Dolphus Raymond, a white landowner who prefers to live among black people. He even has several children with a black woman. Dolphus pretends he is an alcoholic so that the people of Maycomb will have an excuse for his behavior, but in fact he only drinks Coca-Cola out of a paper bag to try to hide it.

What does Atticus do that horrifies Scout and Jem? Atticus unbuttons his vest and collar, loosened his tie, and took off his coat before giving his closing argument. Jem and Scout had never seen Atticus this relaxed in public.

What do you think Atticus means by, “This case is as simple as black and white”? What is the more significant meaning behind his claim? What Atticus means is that the evidence (or lack of it) is very clear: Tom Robinson did not commit the crime. The more significant meaning is that this case is (unfortunately) all about race when it should be about the evidence.

How does Atticus explain that the case is not about Tom, but actually about Mayella and society? Atticus explains that Mayella is actually the guilty one. She broke an unwritten code of society: she is white and she tempted a black man. According to Atticus, Mayella is trying to rid herself of the reminder of her “crime.” She needs Tom Robinson to go away.

What is the “lie” Atticus talks about? What is the reality that he is hoping the jury will see? The “lie” Atticus refers to is the racist assumption that all Negroes lie, are basically immoral beings, and are not to be trusted around white women. The reality is that there is good and bad in all races of human beings.

How does Atticus claim that we are not all created equal? Atticus points out that life itself is not always equal: some people are smarter than others, some have more opportunity, some make more money than others, and some are naturally more gifted.

Ideally, in what realm is every citizen of the United States truly equal? How is this the “great leveler”? In a perfect world, a courtroom is the truly equal place for all citizens. When it works properly, a courtroom bases its decisions only on what the evidence is, not who the accuser or accused person is.