SOCRATIC

SEMINAR
To Kill a Mockingbird

Have answers to the questions prepared for the class discussion. This is for a test
and quiz grade-50% based on evidence of you planning for the seminar (bringing
answered questions and taking notes) and 50% based on your participation in the
discussion (every student must speak at least twice, listen respectfully to others,
and must not interrupt other students).

Socratic Seminar Questions for To Kill a Mockingbird

1. To Kill a Mockingbird is a highly controversial book with some people arguing
that it is inappropriate for children because of its themes and the portrayal of
certain characters and stereotypes. Which elements of the book do you think
they found troubling? What do you think? Should we or should we not have
studied To Kill a Mockingbird? Why?
2. How did your opinion of various characters change throughout the story?
(Consider Boo Radley, Aunt Alexandra, Mayella Ewell, and others and explain
how your opinion changed). What lesson do you think Harper Lee was trying
to teach through these characters?
3. How is courage demonstrated in the book? Who is courageous? How does
this fit the books definition of courage? Does that fit your definition of
courage?
4. How do Scout and Jem change throughout the course of the novel? What
comment is Harper Lee making about the nature of growing up?

5. When is it appropriate to challenge the beliefs or values of society? Which
character(s) in the novel challenged the beliefs or values in Maycomb? How?
Why?

6. At the end of the novel, Atticus reads to Scout. Comment on his choice of
story. Does it have any connection with themes earlier in the novel and in its
ending?