1. Did Tom Robinson have a fair trial?
2. Why did the community support Bob and Mayella Ewell?
3. To what extent was Mayella free to speak the truth?
4. What were Tom Robinson’s options when he was in the house with Mayella? Should he have done something different from what he did?
5. What role did Judge Taylor play in the outcome of the trial?
6. When Tom is being cross-examined by Mr. Gilmer he says, “I felt right sorry for her.” Why was this a mistake? Why is it that “nobody liked Tom Robinson’s answer.” P. 197
7. Review Atticus’ closing remarks pp. 202-205. Detail his reasons for why Tom Robinson should not be …show more content…
What do you learn about the different attitudes toward Maycomb’s black population from the conversation at Aunt Alexandra’s ladies tea? How do these attitudes help explain Tom’s conviction? Why does Miss Maudie get so angry? Pp. 231-233
10. Re-read Aunt Alexandra and Miss Maudie’s conversation on p. 236. What are they saying about the moral responsibility of the citizens of Maycomb in the trial’s outcome?
On Socratic Seminar Day—Facilitation notes
Physical arrangement: Students who are caught up on the reading (through chapter 24), may participate in the discussion and sit in the circle. Those who are not prepared to participate need to sit outside the circle and read while students inside the circle write, then listen and take notes while the discussion is going on.
Bell work on day of the seminar: rank in order of culpability for the death of Tom Robinson the following characters: Mr. Gilman, Bob Ewell, Mayella Ewell, individuals on the Jury, Dolphus Raymond and Tom Robinson himself. Give students 5 minutes to write to this in the Socratic seminar circle.
Spend 5-10 minutes on “Celebrations”: Good news, someone or something I’m thankful for, something funny (not mean or sarcastic), something I like, admire or appreciate about someone in this class (not looks), something I’ve done lately that makes me proud because I helped someone or did the “right