Chapters 16 & 17:Explain Atticus’ explanation about the mob dispersing. What is a mob made of? How was it broken up? How does his explanation relate to one of themes of the book?(Jonathan Kim)

Atticus’ explanation of the mob dispersing is that Scout was the person who stopped them from hurting anyone else. Scout rushed into the mob and saw that Mr. Cunningham was part of the mob. Although Mr. Cunningham made a decision to tell the others to leave, Scout has become confused about why he was there. As Atticus was explained about what happened the night before, he said, “Mr. Cunningham was part of a mob last night, but he was still a man”(Lee 210). Atticus shows Scout that people may make mistakes and be part of something bad, but can still be a good person in general. Also, Atticus explains what a mob is made of and he says, “Every mob in every little Southern town is always made up of people you know…”(Lee 210). Every mob have people in it, all human and they have their own individual choices to make like Mr. Cunningham did when he decided to leave so nobody can get hurt. Walter Cunningham acted kind although he was also bad at the same time. Scout was able to use her innocent actions to bring some of Mr. Cunningham’s true colors, and Walter was able to see what it was like stepping into Atticus’ shoes. Atticus’ explanation shows courageousness and a little curiosity Scout shows throughout the book. Scout stepped into the fight and stopped it before anyone could get hurt. Scout shows bravery to stand up for her family and also shows a little bit of stupidity as well. When she steps into the fight, she gets a little panic and finds out what she is up against. Scout gets a little curious because not only did she want to help her family, but she also wanted to see what was going on and was getting excited. Scout likes to be nosy and ask a lot of questions because there is a big world out there, and Scout wants information on the things she hears. The incident also shows that awful humans and groups can be stopped by anyone just from an act of kindness and innocence just like Scout did.

What do you think would have happened if Mr. Cunningham did not stop the mob from leaving? Do you think Scout rushed to help Atticus as an act of stupidity or courageous?

Chapters 16 & 17: What is revealed that is confusing about Mr. Underwood in chapter 16? How does this relate to one of the themes of the novel? (Philip Tabor)

In chapter 16 of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, it is revealed by Atticus that Braxton Underwood dislikes African-Americans, yet he didn't cease to protect Tom Robinson and Atticus by the jail from the mob, which reveals courage in his acts. In chapter 15, a mob lead by Walter Cunningham with the intentions of doing harm to Tom Robinson confronted Atticus, who was blocking the entrance to the jail. Scout, who was hiding, ran to help her father, and eventually scared the mob away. It was revealed at the end of that chapter that Mr. Underwood was prepared for the worst at a window with his shotgun. At the beginning of chapter 16, as the Finches are having breakfast, Atticus brings up Mr. Underwood: "He despises Negroes, won't have one near him" (Lee 209). Even though Braxton Underwood has shown that aversion towards African-Americans, he stood up and protected one of his friends, Atticus, and Tom Robinson, an African-American accused of rape. This shows tremendous courage, one of the main themes shown from characters throughout the novel, from him, for going past his beliefs to help a friend, knowing he will be condemned for his actions if one finds out. Mr. Underwood did not only mature and use an incredible amount of bravery, but he was there for Atticus if anything went wrong while he was protecting Tom Robinson from the angry mob out to hurt him.

Do you think Braxton Underwood did this to help out Atticus or for another reason? 

Chapters 16&17: Explain Atticus’ explanation about the mob dispersing. What is a mob made of? How was it broken up? How does his explanation relate to one of themes of the book? (Hagar Hirsch)

The mob represents the ongoing theme in the book that morals are not black and white. Scout, Jem, Atticus, and Dill intercept a mob of Cunninghams on their way to hurt Tom Robinson. Scout is able to disperse the mob by talking to Walter Cunningham and reminding him of his humanity. Scout later asks Atticus why talking to Walter worked, he answers “‘Mr. Cunningham was part of a mob last night, but he was still a man. Every mob… is made up of people...’”  (Lee 200). This idea that people can do good things without being good is also seen in Ms. Dubose’s story. She was racist and rude but Atticus still dubbed her as one of the most courageous people he’d ever met. This theme ties in with maturity as well because it is childlike to believe that the world is separated into good and bad. However, the mob stepping down didn't mean that they wouldn't've still killed Tom Morrison. People and characters aren't two-dimensional, there's no such thing as being perfect the same way there's no such thing as being completely evil.

Chapters 14 & 15: What happens in this chapter that causes a fight between Jem and Scout? What does this reveal about their relationship? How is this furthered later in the chapter when Dill arrives? (Dylan Wang)

In chapter 14 Jem and Scout fight because they are at different mental ages, this reveals that although close and loving, Scout and Jem’s relationship isn’t always picture perfect. This is shown even more when Dill runs away from his house and shows up at the Finch’s because Jem believes that telling Atticus is the right thing to do, while Scout thinks that keeping it a secret is the right thing to do. After secretly hearing Atticus and Aunt Alexandra argue about whether or not they should keep Calpurnia,  Jem and Scout hurry back to their room before they get caught. Jem using a “superior” tone tells Scout, “It’s this Tom Robinson case that’s worryin’ him to death.” (Lee 184) Fed up by Jem’s manner, Scout says, “Jee crawling hova, Jem! Who do you think you are?... Ain’t so high and mighty now, are you!” (Lee 184) Jem and Scout get into this fight because Scout is upset about how Jem is acting towards her. When Jem starts to become a teenager, his mind starts to change more rapidly than ever. This puts Scout in an uncomfortable position because she isn’t used to the “new” Jem. For example, Jem has the maturity to understand what his father is going through regarding the Tom Robinson case, Scout doesn’t because all she sees is the outside. Jem believes that whatever he thinks is correct, and whatever Scout thinks is wrong. Because of this, Jem feels the need to push his sister around telling her what to do.  On the other hand, Scout thinks it’s just like old times and expects to be treated equally. This fight reveals that they do disagree about certain topics, but they still have a really close sister-brotherhood. For example, when Scout gets scared because she steps on something warm, Jem being the older brother helps her out, “Jem made a tentative swipe under the bed… Jem raised the broom and missed Dill’s head by an inch...” (Lee 186) However, when Dill emerges from under Scout’s bed, Jem and Scout disagree about whether or not they should tell Atticus about Dill. In this case, Jem is trying to do the responsible thing by telling his parent, while Scout is still a little kid trying to be secretive. Jem and Scout fight because they have different mental ages, this shows their loving but not perfect relationship, this is further shown later in the chapter when Jem and Scout argue about whether or not they should tell Atticus about Dill.

Do you think Jem and Scout are going to grow further apart? Do you think Dill will affect Jem and Scouts’ relationship? If so, how?

Chapters #14-15 What happens in this chapter that causes a fight between Jem and Scout? What does this reveal about their relationship? How is this furthered in the chapter when Dill arrives? (Dana Yesson)

After talking with Aunt Alexandra and Atticus, Jem brings Scout into his room and he starts bickering to her about Atticus and what he does and the commotion with the Tom Robinson case. A fistfight breaks out between them because of what Jem said. Jem talks about Atticus as if he sounds frail and incapable, and Scout is very angered and mad about him mocking Atticus. Scout's views show the difference between her and Jem. She values Atticus and most likely believes he is strong and can make a difference, especially when Atticus is taking a case like the Tom Robinson one. Jem wants to tell Scout concretely and boldly what Atticus is like and that Scout should only trust the opinion he has. This is not information Scout want's to hear, and is annoyed "Ain't so high and mighty now, are you... He was tryin' to tell me what to do. I don't have to mind him now,  do I?" (Lee, 156 & 157). Throughout the book Scout has never wanted to seem lower than anybody, when Dill and Jem mock her by saying she's just a "girl" she is deeply offended. This is another case where Scout doesn't want to be thrown under the bus. When Dill arrived, all hungry and dirty they learn he ran away from home. This makes Scout really think about her family and the problems and differences she has, but also that Dill is in a worse position. Scout thought about running away because of all the events that have happened so far, but Dill actually had to- and it makes her bad experiences seem okay.

Chapters #14-15 In chapter 15, Atticus is visited by two groups of men. Explain the situation and intentions of both groups. (Emma Worthington)

The two groups had different intentions but they were related to each other, they both were there because Atticus is defending Tom Robinson but one was for the good of Atticus and the other one was about Mr. Robinson. The two groups of men both talk to Atticus because of the Tom Robinson case, one comprised of town folk the other is a group of farmers. The first group comes by to discourage Atticus from defending Tom Robinson, one of the men in the group says to Atticus “You’ve got everything to lose from this, Atticus I mean everything,”(Lee 195). The group of his neighbors do not want him to continue with the case because they want to protect him from other people in the town. They are talking to Atticus about the people they are trying to protect him from and they say, “...know how they do when they get shinnied up,”(Lee 194). They are referring to the second group of people that Atticus is visited by, they are warning him that, when they are drunk they can be irrational. When they meet Atticus at the jail Scout says there is a smell of Whisky. The group is drunk like their neighbors warned and they plan on attacking Tom Robinson, but when Scout comes and recognize Walter Cunningham's dad it changes the whole situation. Scout starts talking to Mr. Cunningham and he becomes ashamed of what they planned on doing and calls it off. Scout doesn't even realize what is going on because she is so young and innocent. There are two groups that visit Atticus, the first one is to warn him, the second one is the group they warned him about.

Chapters 14-15" Explain what Dill means in the last line of chapter 14. Is this surprising to you? (Ella Wolff)

Dill says that Boo Radley has nowhere to run off to because all he has ever known is in Maycomb County. Dill, who just recently ran away from his father has been to and seen so much that running away is an option for him, but for Boo Radley he has spent decades inside his house, only leaving when no one can see him. Also, even if Boo Radley had somewhere to run off to, he couldn’t for two reasons. One being no one knows what he looks like, giving him no real identity. The only known time when he has appeared is when the Finch children are in need. After Scout and Jem stood out in the cold watching men attempt to put out the fire on Ms. Maudie’s house Scout realizes a blanket was wrapped around her should by Boo Radley “‘Boo Radley. You were so busy looking at the fire you didn’t know it when he put the blanket around you”’(Lee 96). This quote shows that Boo Radley can exit his house, but he always returns. The second reason being all the tales told about him give him a scary reputation, so much so that no one would be willing to take him in. In Jem’s description of Boo he states “he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that’s why his hands were bloodstained…”(Lee 16) By his characterization it is unlikely that Boo could be welcomed by anyone, most feared him. Also, he cannot defend himself on these allegations because he does not go out into the public and even if he did he was never seen. This was not an extremely surprising statement made by Dill because Dill, who runs away consistently understands that running away is impossible unless you have somewhere to go.