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Copywork
About This Passage
Atticus tells Jem and Scout that one juror — a Cunningham connection — almost voted Tom Robinson free. Atticus says he kept the man on the jury 'on a hunch.' Jem is amazed: the same family that came to hurt Atticus at the jail tried to set Tom Robinson free in court. The passage shows that the Cunninghams can change their minds, even slowly, and that Atticus paid careful attention to a small chance of doing right.
On a hunch, I didn’t strike him. Just on a hunch. Could’ve, but I didn’t.” “Golly Moses,” Jem said reverently. “One minute they’re tryin‘ to kill him and the next they’re tryin’ to turn him loose… I’l...
Full copywork activity with handwriting lines available in the complete study guide.
Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
Tell the chapter as a list of small surprises. The first surprise is that Atticus is calm after Mr. Bob Ewell spits at him. The next surprise is that Atticus would not borrow a gun. The next surprise is that one Cunningham wanted to set Tom Robinson free. The last surprise is what Jem says about Boo Radley at the very end.
Discussion Questions
- Atticus says he is glad Mr. Bob Ewell spit at him because it 'saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating.' What in the story tells you that Atticus thinks of other people first, even when he is the one being hurt?
- Jem and Scout want Atticus to borrow a gun because they are afraid of Mr. Ewell. Atticus only says, 'Nonsense.' How do you know that Atticus is not afraid? What in the chapter helps you tell?
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Vocabulary Builder
Item 1
A small feeling that something might be true, even when you are not sure why.
Item 2
A friendly word for people, often the people in your family or your town.
Item 3
To make a living thing stop being alive on purpose.
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Critical Thinking
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