TKM Part 2 Questions #2

Here we have more questions about "To Kill a Mockingbird". In this post, I'll cover chapters 15, 16 and 17 of the book, all from the second half of it.

Chapter 15

1. What is the Ku Klux Klan? What do you think of Atticus' comment about it?

The Ku Klux Klan was some kind of gang that went around in Maycomb. They were more like a Political organization and they once paraded at Sam Levy's house, but didn't harm him. Atticus also said they were gone and will never come back, probably because he guess his children were worried. 

2. How does Jem react when Atticus tells him to go home, and why?

He firmly says that he'll not go back home. As a reader, I understand that he is afraid his father could die because he is defending Tom Robinson, so he'll do anything he can to protect his old father. As he stood steadily, the men who were threatening Atticus left and the Finch family went back home together. 

3. What persuades the lynching-party to give up their attempt on Tom's life?

The men gave up because they felt touched by the innocence of the children, specially Scout's.

Chapter 16

4. What sort of person is Dolphus Raymond and what is your opinion of him?

He is a very special character. He is married with a negro woman and has mixed race children. He also fakes to be a drunk man so people will not bother him because he goes around with blacks. In the past, he was about to marry a white woman but she suicided just before the marriage. 

5. How does Reverend Sykes help the children see and hear the trial? Is he correct in doing so?

Reverend Sykes was very kind with them. We must consider that the children knew him from the First Purchase Church, so they have a relationship with them. Also, Sykes probably liked the children because of their father's job. When they arriver to the court, Reverend Sykes led them to the negroes balcony and got them space to sit. Also, he was probably kind with them because he thought they should know the truth about his father and feel proud of his honorable intentions. 

Chapter 17

6. Choose three quotes from chapter 17. Explain the context of each, the characters involved, and their relevance for the story, themes and overall message of the novel.

• "All the spectators were as relaxed as Judge Taylor, except Jem" (Scout). The quote presented is relevant because from it the reader can deduce how scared is Jem through the development of the trial. He knows that his father is at the aim of many persons who discriminate blacks. Also, we may think he really want his father to win because it's the first time Jem is in court and he wants to prove his father is a good lawyer.
• "Mr Finch know you are here? This ain't fit for Miss Jean Louise or you boys either" (Reverend Sykes) This sentence has some relevance because with it Harper Lee insists in the idea that the children shouln't be in the court, but they are there because they escaped from home to watch how their father and hero defended Tom. We must consider that they were engaged with the case because that had had many problems because of their father's work.
• "There have been a request that this courtroom be cleared of spectators, or at least of women and children, a request that will be denied for the time being" (Judge Taylor). This quote was said before Bob Ewell entered the courtroom, after Atticus interrogated Heck Tate. It's very important in the court case, because as Judge Taylor denied the order, the children could stay in the courtroom and watch the rest of the case.