Sophomore English Ms. Schultz To Kill A Mockingbird Trial Study Guide (Chapters 17 through 21) The Ewells v. Tom Robinson Lawyer for the Ewells: Lawyer for Tom Robinson: Name of the Judge: Where is the trial taking place (building and town): When is the trial taking place (season and year): With what crime is Tom Robinson being charged (doing what to whom): Who are the four witness called to the stand: HECK TATE S TESTIMONY On what date did the supposed incident occur (date and year): What did Bob Ewell tell Heck Tate had happened: What did Heck Tate do when Bob Ewell fetched him: Why does Heck Tate say they didn t call a doctor? Indicate on the figure the injuries on Mayella that Heck Tate describes (use arrows and descriptions): THE EWELLS LIFESTYLE Describe what we learn about the Ewell s lifestyle (how and where they live):
To whom do the red geranium belong? Why are they so out of place? What might they symbolize? How many Ewell children are there? Who is the oldest? What are their parents like? How does Scout come to see Mayella? What does she eventually think about how Mayella must feel? BOB EWELL S TESTIMONY What is Bob s general attitude when he is on the stand? What did Bob see when he came back from chopping up kindling (be specific): According to Bob, how was the furniture arranged in the room in his house when he came back? Why didn t Bob chase after the man who had hurt Mayella? What is Bob s answer when Atticus asks if during all that running Bob ran for a doctor? Does Bob agree with Heck Tate s description of Mayella s injuries: Why does Atticus ask Bob Ewell to write his name? What does the audience see about Bob Ewell when Mr. Gilmer asks if he s ambidextrous?
At this point, how does Jem feel about the trial? How does Scout feel? MAYELLA S TESTIMONY What s so special about Mayella s appearance? How does Jem react when Mayella starts crying about being scared of Atticus? What does Mayella say she asked Tom to come inside the fence to do? What does Mayella say happened when she went in the house to get the nickel for Tom? Why does Mayella think Atticus is mocking her (two ways): What picture does Atticus try to paint of Bob Ewell? How does Mayella react when Atticus asks if this is the first time she asked Tom to come inside the fence? How does Mayella describe how Tom attacked her? What does Scout realize about Tom when Atticus has him stand up? WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? (BE SPECFIC)
Atticus beings to ask Mayella a series of questions that she doesn t answer. What does Atticus want her to admit? TOM ROBINSON S TESTIMONY How old is Tom? Is he married? Does he have children? If so, how many? Describe how Tom has previously been in trouble with the law: For whom does Tom work and what does he do? What is Tom s answer to how many times he went inside the Ewell s fence? Did Tom accept money for his labors? What did Tom think was odd about the Ewell home the day the incident happened? What did Mayella do for the children that day? How does Mayella get Tom inside the house? What does she ask him to do? How does Tom Robinson explain what happened inside the house that day? What were Tom s intentions when trying to get away from Mayella? Who was Bob Ewell yelling at? Why did Tom run away if he hadn t done anything wrong? Why does Mr. Gilmer bring up the disorderly conduct charge again? Why did Tom say he wanted to help Mayella?
List the main differences between the Ewells testimonies (Bob s and Mayella s) and Tom s: Question Ewells Answer (Bob or Mayella) Tom s answer Had Tom ever come inside the fence before? What did Mayella ask him to come inside the fence and do on the day in question? How did Tom get inside the house? What happened when Tom was inside the house? Who was Bob Ewell yelling at? Why did Tom run away? Who harmed Mayella Ewell? CLOSING List five main points Atticus makes about the trial in his closing speech: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Who does Atticus think harmed Mayella Ewell? Why? How does Jem feel about the trial and verdict now? How does Reverend Sykes feel about the trial and verdict? What impression does Scout get? What is the verdict in the trial of the Ewells v. Tom Robinson?
How does Jem react? How does Atticus react? How do the Negroes react?