"Scout's first day at school is disastrous. The inexperienced teacher scolds her for being able to read and write, she cannot explain to the teacher why Walter Cunningham refuses her money, and the teacher punishes her for supposedly being impertinent."
" "
"As well as gently mocking 'progressive' teaching methods, this incident sets the reader up to see that Scout always learns far more outside the classroom than she does inside."
"There is a great deal of humour in the children's amazement at the new teacher's 'foreign' ways. We may laugh also at the teacher's terror of the cootie, and Chuck Little's gentlemanly behaviour."
5
"*Making Boo come out."
"The children hatch many schemes to make Boo Radley come out, culminating with the incident when Nathan Radley fires at them."
"This incident has suspense as well as humour; for example Dill's quick explanation of Jem's missing pants."
" "
"It is also typical of the three children, showing all three of them 'in character'."
6
"*The Mad Dog"
"This incident is vital in our understanding of the character of Atticus, and also important in any discussion of the theme of courage. (See NOTES/THEMES)"
" "
"The children are amazed at their father's prowess with a rifle. It is a compelling sign of his modesty and his gentle nature that he has never mentioned his skill to them."
"It is worth noting that while Scout finds it difficult to understand his silence on the subject, Jem does seem to understand, and even claims"
"*Atticus is a gentleman, just like me!"
6
"*Mrs Dubose"
"In a fit of anger at her insults, Jem destroys Mrs Dubose's camellias. As a punishment, he has to read to her."
"Her strange behaviour during these reading sessions is later explained by Atticus. The old lady had been trying to free herself from her morphine addiction before she died."
" "
"This incident lets us see another side of Jem's character - even Atticus is surprised that it is Jem who loses his temper rather than Scout."
"More importantly, however, it serves to illustrate the theme of courage, and stands as a contrast with the mad dog incident in the previous chapter."
5
"*The Trial"
"Despite Atticus presenting clear evidence of his innocence, Tom Robinson is convicted of rape by a jury unable to overcome its own prejudices."
"The events surrounding the trial occupy most of Part Two of the novel. All the major themes of the novel are dealt with in the drama, suspense and humour of these chapters."
" "
"We meet many new characters during the trial, all skilfully drawn. We can imagine the blustering arrogance of the despicable Bob Ewell, the eccentricity of Judge Taylor, the quiet decency of Tom Robinson."
7
"*Meeting Boo"
"When Scout finally meets Boo Radley, she doesn't seem surprised."
"It is a sign of how much she has matured that she inwardly knows that he is not the monster described in the first few chapters."
" "
"This final incident rounds the novel off beautifully. Boo has finally emerged, a fitting climax to all the attempts made by the children in the first part of the novel."
