Search the courses, subjects, tracks, games and features, or jump straight to a page.
Learn it your way
A short class with Sarah and her students. The other ways are under More.
Sign up free to listen. Transcripts are free to read.
In this chapter, we see Bob Ewell continuing his aggressive behavior. What kind of person does Bob Ewell seem to be based on his actions towards Tom Robinson's widow?
He seems to be vengeful and cruel, showing no compassion.
Exactly! His actions indicate a deep-seated bitterness. Can anyone explain how Ewell’s behavior is a reflection of the community’s racial tensions?
It shows that even after the trial, the prejudice and hate didn’t end; they just transformed into harassment.
Great point! His actions underline the destructive aftermath of the court's decision. Remember the acronym 'CRUEL'? It stands for Community Reaction Under Extreme Loneliness, capturing how isolation can result in anger and cruelty.
That's a good way to remember it!
To sum up, Ewell’s actions symbolize a broader societal issue that persists beyond the courtroom.
Let's talk about Aunt Alexandra. How does her attitude change in this chapter?
She becomes more protective and worried about the family's safety after what Bob has been doing.
That’s right! Her concerns reflect not just personal feelings but the fears that many parents felt during that time. Can anyone draw a connection to a theme in this chapter?
It’s about protection and how families deal with external threats.
Good connection! We can remember this with the phrase 'FAMILY FIRST'—indicating the central role family plays in confronting societal danger.
That's a helpful way to remember it!
Yes! In summary, Aunt Alexandra’s protective instincts highlight the theme of familial bonds amidst external conflicts.
Now, let’s discuss the Halloween pageant. What does Scout’s role as a ham signify in the context of the story?
It shows her innocence and the traditions of childhood, contrasting the adult issues happening around her.
Exactly! The ham costume symbolizes her childhood naivety. Let's use the mnemonic 'HAM'—Harmless And Merry—to remember this idea.
That's a fun way to remember it!
To wrap this up, Scout's participation in the pageant serves as a backdrop for the darker events that are about to unfold, emphasizing the loss of innocence.
His actions reflect the continued racial tensions and intolerance in Maycomb.
Aunt Alexandra embodies the instinct to guard loved ones in the face of societal threat.
Her role in the Halloween pageant symbolizes childhood innocence amidst adult conflicts.
Bob Ewell's harassment of Tom Robinson's widow shows his desperate need for power and control.
Aunt Alexandra's fears reflect societal attitudes towards safety and family in a racially charged environment.
Scout's ham costume serves as a symbol of her childhood innocence before the impending danger.
Ewell’s a fool, filled with spite, / His hate shines dark like a moonless night.
Once upon a time in Maycomb, a ham was scared of what was to come, / While a cruel man threatened in anger, dark and dumb.
Use 'HAT’—Harassment Aunt's Teeming worries—to remember Ewell’s character and Alexandra's concerns.
Use 'H.A.R.M.' for Harassment, Aunt's concern, Racial tension, and Moral protection.
Term
Bob Ewell
Click to flip
Term
Halloween Pageant
Click to flip
Term
Aunt Alexandra
Click to flip
Aggressive pressure or intimidation towards others.
Strained relationships between different races, often characterized by conflict.
The state of being not guilty of a crime or offense; a childlike quality of purity.
The act of safeguarding the moral integrity of individuals or society.
Chapter 27 continues to unravel the consequences of Tom Robinson's trial and the impact of Bob Ewell's actions on the Finch family.
In this chapter, Bob Ewell's harassment of Tom Robinson's widow and his attempted intimidation of Judge Taylor highlight the ongoing repercussions of the trial. Meanwhile, Aunt Alexandra's concerns for the Finch family's safety coincide with the preparations for Scout's Halloween pageant, reflecting the tension in Maycomb.
Chapter 27 of To Kill a Mockingbird delves into the fallout from Tom Robinson's trial and the pervasive racism in Maycomb. Bob Ewell continues to express his bitterness post-trial, harassing Tom Robinson's widow, which illustrates his cruelty and tendency towards violence. Aunt Alexandra becomes increasingly worried about the Finch family's safety, highlighting the sense of danger that looms following the trial's outcome. Furthermore, the chapter introduces the school’s upcoming Halloween pageant, where Scout is set to play a ham, symbolizing her innocence and the traditions of childhood even amidst the dark backdrop of the town's conflicts. The chapter features themes of suspense and unresolved tension, setting the stage for future conflicts and the moral protection that the Finch family will ultimately need.