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TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
ABOUT HARPER LEE
- Nell Harper Lee is a Pulitzer Prize winner.
- She was born on April 26, 1926, in Monroeville, Alabama.
- Harper Lee died in July 2015.
- She was best friends with Truman Capote.
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CONVENTIONS OF A BILDUNGSROMAN
- This type of novel depicts the growing up of a sensitive person who looks for answers to his or her questions through different experiences.
- Sometimes these novels start with tragedy or loss, which disturbs the character.
- The character then goes on a journey in which he or she gains maturity gradually and with difficulty.
- The plot usually depicts a conflict between the protagonist and the values of the society.
- The protagonist then finds a resolution through some degree of acceptance of the society's norms.
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SETTING
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THEME
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SUMMARY
The novel charts the adventures of Scout, her older brother Jem, and their friend Dill, during the summer breaks. It is, essentially, a coming-of-age novel, told from the perspective of Scout, that charts her reactions to the racism in the society, as well as the social structure that alienates a character like Boo Radley and builds social structures to accommodate the rampant poverty in the town of Mayberry. Scout, Jem, and their friend Dill learn important lessons along the way, like how to be a man, and how to cope with the disappointments that life brings. The novel ends on a philosophical note, however, proclaiming the fact that we must try, even if we know that failure will be the result.
The novel charts the adventures of Scout, her older brother Jem, and their friend Dill, during the summer breaks. It is, essentially, a coming-of-age novel, told from the perspective of Scout, that charts her reactions to the racism in the society, as well as the social structure that alienates a character like Boo Radley and builds social structures to accommodate the rampant poverty in the town of Mayberry. Scout, Jem, and their friend Dill learn important lessons along the way, like how to be a man, and how to cope with the disappointments that life brings. The novel ends on a philosophical note, however, proclaiming the fact that we must try, even if we know that failure will be the result.
CHARACTERS
Jean Louis Finch (Scout)
Jean Louis Finch (Scout)
- The protagonist and narrator of the book.
- She is eight years old at the beginning of the book.
- Her brother is Jem and her father is Atticus Finch.
- She learned to read and write by accident; by listening to Atticus read.
- Scout is a very feisty and intelligent little girl who maintains her innocence and wonder, despite the tragic events that unfold in the story.
- A respected lawyer in Maycomb.
- The father of Jem and Scout.
- He disliked criminal law, yet took Tom Robinson's case.
- He practiced law in Maycomb and put his brother, Jack, through medical school.
- Atticus is not racist, he treats Calpurnia like an equal member of his family, trusting her to take care of his children in his absence, no matter how prolonged.
- Atticus is, intrinsically, a good person who tries his best, whether he can win or not.
- He is Scout's older brother and Atticus' only son.
- Despite the age difference between Jem and his sister, they were great friends.
- Jem matures throughout the course of the novel by experiencing hard situations, learning from them, and learning how to deal with the emotions that the experiences elicit.
- He was traumatized by (www.bulbsoup.com) Tom Robinson's guilty verdict and was upset at having to spend time with Mrs. Dubose.
- Jem was seriously injured by Bob Ewell, while trying to defend Scout.
- Scout and Jem's friend.
- He was from Meridian and spent summers with his aunt, Miss Rachel.
- He and the children had many adventures together and learned very valuable lessons.
- Dill is a very sensitive child who cried bitterly at the unfairness of Tom Robinson's guilty verdict.
- He is Atticus' younger brother and uncle to Jem and Scout.
- The children call him Uncle Jack.
- He is a head shorter than Atticus and considered to be the baby of the family.
- The children think that he is kind and gentle.
- He loves his niece and nephew, as seen when he punishes Scout for fighting with her cousin.
- The Finch family's maid/cook.
- She is more than a maid, however, she is the children's primary caregiver in Atticus' absence.
- Calpurnia loves the children, as seen in how she teaches Scout good manners, as well as the fact that she disciplines her.
- She is a friend and confidante to the children.
- She educated them on the topic of foot washing Baptists.
- The children thought that she had an acid tongue in her head and did not go about doing good, but the children trusted her.
- She is a lover of 'everything that grew in God's green earth' (Lee, p. 48)
- She was an excellent baker who made the best cakes in the neighborhood.
- Miss Maudie was there to support the children after Tom Robinson's guilty verdict. She spared the time to explain the complex world that they lived in.
- Scout and Jem's aunt.
- Atticus and Jack's sister.
- She lives on Finch's Landing with her family.
- She tries to feminize Scout, but Scout sees her as the enemy.
- Scout and Aunt Alexandria have a complex relationship that, by the end of the novel, appears to be getting better.
- She is the town gossip.
- Miss Maudie goes to live with her when her house burns down.
- It was believed that Boo's father kept him out of sight because he got in trouble with the law, and then his brother took over after his father's death.
- The people of the town isolated Boo with outlandish rumours.
- Boo, through his kindness towards the children, can be classified as a decent human being who was victimized by his family and his community.
- Boo's brother.
- It was believed, by the town's people, that he took over the role of Boo's keeper after Mr. Radley died.
- The children suspected that he placed cement in the knot hole of the tree.
- Scout's teacher.
- She is an inflexible young teacher, whose inexperience in the classroom results in a miserable first year at school for Scout.
- The gentleman, a Negro, that Atticus defended in court.
- Tom is a member of Calpurnia's church and she describes him as 'clean living'.
- Tom was accused, and convicted, of raping Bob Ewell's daughter.
- Tom defended himself with intelligence and dignity in court, however, the colour of his skin prevented him from getting a fair trial.
- He died while attempting to escape from prison.
- Tom Robinson's wife.
- She fainted at the news of her husband's death.
- An elderly lady who hurled insults at the children when they passed her house.
- She was a morphine addict who was in constant pain but tried to break her addiction.
- The fact that she was in constant pain contributed to her miserable personality.
- She took pleasure in the children's visits.
- She left a candy box with a camelia in it for Jem, which he received after she died.
- He is the sheriff of Maycomb.
- He trusted Atticus to kill the mad dog.
- He convinced Atticus that Jem did not kill Bob Ewell, and to 'let the dead bury the dead.' (Lee, 282)
- A poor child who became the victim of Miss Caroline Fisher's ignorance and inflexibility, she embarrassed him by insistently trying to loan him money that he could not possibly repay.
- Walter was very respectful and very mature for his age, as seen in the conversation he had with Atticus when Scout and Jem took him home for lunch.
- She accuses Tom Robinson of attacking and raping her.
- She is the daughter of Mr. Ewell, the town drunk.
- She is very intelligent and cunning.
- He is the father of Mayella Ewell.
- He is the town drunk and he and his family are social outcasts.
- A poor child at school who had cooties.`
- He, unlike Walter Cunningham, was disrespectful to Miss Caroline.
- The owner of The Maycomb Tribune.
- He was also the editor and printer for the newspaper.
- People brought the news to him and it was said that he made up every edition of the newspaper, out of his head, and wrote it down on the linotype.
- He defended Tom Robinson, after his death, by likening his death to the killing of a songbird.
- Dill's aunt
- Minister of the First Purchase Church.
- He welcomed the Finch children to church in order to break the initial tension.
- He literally held his congregation hostage until the collection plate reached $10, to give to Tom Robinson's family.
- He kept the children's seat vacant, in the courthouse, when they briefly went home.
- A white man who the town believed to be a drunkard, but the children discovered that it was an act.
- He had a coloured woman, with whom he produced mixed children.
- He was engaged to a white woman who, it was reported, killed herself after the rehearsal dinner because she found out about his coloured woman.
- He treated his children very well, he even sent two of them 'up north', to have a better life.
- Tom Robinson's full-time employer.
- He was very sympathetic towards Tom, and his family, and spoke in his defense at the trial.
- He defended Helen Robinson when she was being terrorized by Bob Ewell.
- Aunt Alexandria's husband and Francis' father.
- He was, according to Scout, ignored by his wife and by Scout as well.
- Scout's cousin, Aunt Alexandria, and Uncle Jimmy's son.
- He was a year older than Scout.
- Scout and Francis got into a physical altercation when Francis called Atticus a nigger lover.
- He looked, to Scout, to be an amiable, white-haired, slightly ruddy-faced man.
- He ran his court with an alarming informality.
- He often seemed to be asleep in court, during the proceedings, but he was actually very alert.
- Judge Taylor was learned in the law and actually kept a firm grip on any proceedings that came before him.
- He permitted smoking in his courtroom but did not smoke. He chewed the tobacco, instead, then spit it out.
- Judge Taylor deliberately chose Atticus to represent Tom Robinson because he knew that he would try very hard to win the case, despite the low probability that he would win.
- The members of this club were 'white-shirted, khaki-trousered, suspendered old men who spent their lives doing nothing' (Lee, 169)
- They were attentive critics of courthouse business.
- They knew a lot about the law, based on observation.
- He established the Finches homestead, Finches Landing.
- He was a fur-trapping apothecary.
- The mad dog that Atticus shot.
PLOT
Part 1
Chapter 1
Eight-year-old Scout, the child narrator, introduces the Finch family history with Simon Finch, a fur-trapping apothecary from Cornwall. He established Finches Landing, the homestead where the men in the Finch family tended to remain. Atticus Finch broke this tradition by leaving when he went to the law school in Montgomery. He then returned to Maycomb, where his first two clients were the last two persons hanged in Maycomb County jail, which contributed to Atticus' profound distaste for criminal law. He remained in Maycomb and put his brother through medical school and became a father that Scout described as 'satisfactory'. The reader learns that Calpurnia is the children's primary caregiver because their mother has died. She was a Graham from Montgomery who was fifteen years younger than Atticus when they married. She died when (www.bulbsoup.com) Scout was two, so the child never felt her absence. Dill then enters the picture and the summers get interesting. He was from Meridian and was spending time with his aunt, Aunt Rachel, and would do so every summer. The children considered him to be a curiosity because of how he looked and behaved, which can only be described as different, in an interesting way. Dill made the summer interesting by introducing the idea of making Boo Radley come out of hiding.
The reader then learns about the history of the town recluse, whose reclusiveness was an insult to the friendly townspeople. The children learn about Boo from Miss Stephanie Crawford. It was believed that Boo was kept out of sight by his father, after he got in trouble with the law, and, upon his father's death, Boo's brother took over the role of 'protecting' him. It was noted that the only difference between Nathan Radley and Mr. Radley was their age. The more that the Finch children told Dill about Boo, the more he wanted to get Boo out of his house. He even dared Jem to try to get Boo out of the house, and he accepted, with much goading. After Jem successfully managed to slap his palm on the house, the children noted a tiny flicker of movement at the curtain.
Chapter 2
Summer ends and Dill leaves. Scout is then taken to school, by Jem, on her first day. It is a dream that has come true for Scout, but Jem laid out the rules for their communication at school. Scout, however, has a bad first day because her teacher, Miss Caroline Fisher, beats her. She gets herself in the teacher's bad book because she came to school already knowing how to read and write. By achieving these skills prematurely, she had, unbeknownst to her, messed with the Dewey Decimal System. Miss Caroline Fisher asked Scout to tell Atticus to stop teaching her to read and write. The audience learns, however, that she really learned to read and write by accident. She would sit in Atticus' lap while he read, and then, one day, she just could. Then the teacher discovered that Scout could also write, a fact that was clearly to be blamed on Calpurnia, who would set writing tasks for Scout to keep her occupied. Escapades with Miss Caroline continue when she unknowingly embarrasses Walter Cunningham. She discovered that he had no lunch and attempted to loan him money. He refused because he could not repay her, but she became insistent, which prompted Scout to attempt to rectify the situation. Scout tells Miss Fisher that she is embarrassing Walter, and the teacher becomes embarrassed and gives Scout a beating for being insolent. The teacher's whipping was so feeble that the class erupted in laughter, a situation that was further heightened when she threatened the entire class with Scout's fate. A senior teacher then came to the class and reprimanded Miss Caroline for the noise. The chapter ends with a forlorn Miss Caroline.
Chapter 3
Scout was beating up Walter Cunningham in the schoolyard when Jem parted them and invited Walter to lunch. At lunch, Walter and Atticus spoke like men and Scout disturbed them by highlighting the fact that Walter, strangely, poured syrup all over his food. Calpurnia both reprimanded and punished Scout for her actions and, in turn, Scout asked Atticus to fire Calpurnia. Atticus refused to do so on the basis that they could not go on without Calpurnia. Scout returned to school to encounter more drama. Burris Ewell had cooties and was very dirty. As a result, the teacher sent him home for a bath, but he was defiant and told her that he was leaving because he wanted to. The reader then learns that the Ewells only came to school on the first day and then a blind eye was turned to the fact that they did not return. Burris made Miss Caroline cry and the children comforted her and listened to one of her stories about talking animals. Scout went home and Calpurnia was very nice to her, making her favourite meal and giving her a kiss. Scout told Atticus about her day and the fact that she did not want to go to school again, like the Ewells. Atticus explained that a blind eye was turned on Ewell's activities, not going to school and hunting out of season, because their father was a drunk. They reached a compromise; Atticus would continue reading with Scout and they would not tell the teacher. The chapter ends with Atticus reading for his children, and Jem trying to be like the character in the book.
Chapter 4
The Dewey Decimal System, used by Scout's teacher, holds her back and bores her because she is not able to grow. Scout assesses it and finds it lacking because the people around her (Jem, Atticus, and her uncle) seem to have gotten along great without it. She, Scout, was released from school thirty minutes before Jem, so she went home without him. One evening she found chewing gum in the knot hole of a tree in the Radley yard. Jem was appalled that she had eaten it. The reader learns, at this point, that her relationship with Calpurnia has changed for the better. Shortly after this, school was out and the children found another gift in the tree; two Indian head pennies. They decided to keep the gifts until school started, then they would find out who they belonged to. Dill arrived two days later and the playing and fun began. First, they enacted plays and discussed Hot Steam. They even rolled Scout in a barrel and she ended up in the Radley yard. Then they started the Boo Radley game, where they enacted pieces of town gossip that they heard. A suspicious Atticus implied strongly that they should stop the game and Scout agreed because she had heard laughter in the house when she had been accidentally rolled into the Radley yard.
Chapter 5
Scout got close to Miss Maudie Atkins because the boys started to ignore her. She learned a lot about Miss Maudie and even got her opinion on Boo. She believed that he should not be judged because he had a foot-washing Baptist for a father, and the community did not know what went on behind closed doors. The reader also learns of the interesting dynamic that exists between Scout and Uncle Jack. Scout then became embroiled in the boys' plan to get a letter to Boo. They would stick it through a window via a fishing rod, with Dill and Scout as the lookouts. Atticus caught them and told them to leave Boo alone and stop interfering in his life. They got a lesson in trying to put themselves in someone else's shoes.
Chapter 6
Atticus gave the children permission to visit Dill on his last night in Maycomb, for the summer. The boys promptly hatched a plan to peek through Boo's window. Scout was against it, but her tiny voice of reason was drowned out. They succeeded in looking through the window and seeing a shadow. However, Nathan heard the noise and fired a shot. They escaped, but Jem got caught in the fence and had to strip out of his trousers and leave them in the fence. The children managed to cover their tracks with the adults that congregated at Nathan Radley's fence, with Dill and Jem covering for one another. Jem went back for his pants that night.
Chapter 7
Jem was moody after that incident and Scout stayed out of his way. Second grade began and Scout found it to be boring because she already knew the required syllabus, but she enjoyed the fact that she now got to walk home with her brother. It was on one of these walks that Jem told her the reason behind his quietness. He had found his pants, but they were darned and neatly folded, waiting for him. This fact spooked the two children and they pondered on it a bit. They got distracted, however, by the gifts in the knot-hole. They got additional ones; a ball of grey twine, two figures carved in soap, a pack of chewing gum, tarnished metal, and a pocket watch. The children decided to write a thank you note, but when Jem went to put it in the knot hole of the tree, cement had been poured into it. He asked Nathan Radley if he had done it and he said yes. He asked him why and he said that the tree was dying and that was the remedy. Jem asked Atticus about the health of the tree and he told him that the tree was healthy. He then told him what Nathan said and had done to the tree. Jem is very sad at the end of this chapter, it closes with him crying.
Chapter 8
Winter brought snow with it and the children thought that they had something to do with it because they were disobedient. Mrs. Radley died that winter as well and the children got a snow day and decided to build a snowman. They used dirt as the base and covered it with snow. They also used Miss Maudie's hat and clippers to decorate the snowman. In the end, the snowman looked like Mr. Avery, so Atticus said they should make some changes to the snowman. It got very cold and Calpurnia, despite being asked to stay, decided to go home. Scout, however, was awakened in the middle of the night by a fire at Miss Maudie's house. The town folk came together and helped to take her furniture out, but the fire truck was out of service and two other trucks, from out of town, came to the rescue. Miss Maudie's house still burnt to cinders, however. The children were ordered to stand outside the Radley gate and Scout complained of being cold. When they returned home in the early morning, the family realized that Boo Radley had placed a blanket over Scout. The children stayed home the next day and visited Miss Maudie, who was in high spirits. She was now staying with Miss Stephanie Crawdord and was already making plans to build a small house, so there would be more room for her followers, and to bake a lane cake for Mr. Avery, who was particularly heroic in getting her furniture out of the house.
Chapter 9
Scout almost fought at school, defending Atticus from being called a nigger lover. Atticus explained, to Scout, that he was defending Tom Robinson, a Negro, and that was doing it because it was right. He explained that they would lose the case, but that does not mean that they still shouldn't try. Christmas arrived and Uncle Jack came to town with the children's presents from Atticus, air rifles. Scout is also promised a beating from Uncle Jack if she does not stop cursing, but she does so in order to push Atticus to NOT send her to school because she learned it there. They go to Finch's Landing for Christmas dinner, but the evening is cut short when Scout is beaten by Uncle Jack for fighting and cursing, and they leave. She later explained to Jack that Francis had called Atticus a nigger lover and said that the family believed that he was not doing a good job of raising them. Uncle Jack tended to Scout's cut and spoke to Atticus about the situation. Atticus said that things would only get worse and that he was sorry for this fact, but he hoped that Scout would learn to control her temper, as Jem has done.
Chapter 10
Scout listed a stream of shortcomings that Atticus possessed, based on his age. He was older than the parents at school, he did not tackle with Jem, he did not do the things that their teammates' fathers did, he wore glasses and all he did was read. Based on this assessment, Scout asked Miss Maudie, as well as Calpurnia, what Atticus could do. Meanwhile, at school, word got around that Scout was forbidden to fight anyone in her family who spoke ill of Atticus. Despite buying them air rifles, Atticus did not teach the children to shoot, instead, it was Uncle Jack who instructed them in the rudiments of shooting. In fact, Atticus caught Scout aiming for Miss Maudie's rear end and told her not to let him catch her aiming at anyone again. On Saturday, a mad dog, Tim Johnson, lumbered down the street and Atticus was the one to shoot the dog with one shot. Jem was awestruck and Scout wanted to spread the word about Atticus' talent, but Jem persuaded her not to do so.
Chapter 11
Jem and Scout hated Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose because she would hurl insults at them, from her porch, as they passed. They usually ignored her, but one evening, after buying a baton and steam engine in town, Mrs. Dubose insulted Atticus and Jem could take it no more. He, therefore, destroyed Mrs. Dubose's camelia bush and, additionally, snapped Scout's new baton in two and kicked her. Jem was sent to apologize to Mrs. Dubose and Scout dutifully waited for her brother in her father's lap at home. When Jem returned, he reported that he had to read to Mrs. Dubose for two hours, every afternoon except Sunday, for a month, despite the fact that he had cleaned up the mess that he had made. He would also have to tend to the camelia bushes on Saturdays until they grew back. Scout accompanied Jem on every visit and observed every move that Mrs. Dubose made. The old lady seemed to enjoy the visits so much that she would keep the children past the stipulated time, to Scout and Jem's distress. They ended up visiting for a week longer and were very relieved when the period ended. They soon learned that Mrs. Dubose died. Atticus explained that she was a morphine addict who lived with pain daily but chose to end her addiction. Atticus had wanted Jem to meet her because he wanted Jem to witness real courage, instead of associating courage with a man carrying a gun. She left a candy box with a camelia in it for Jem, which he received after her death.
Part 2
Chapter 12
Jem was growing up and changing. As a result, Scout was warned, by Atticus and Calpurnia, that he would be irritable and need alone time. To make Scout's summer worse, Dill did not come to Maycomb. Dill had a new father, but he told Scout, in a letter, that he still loved her and would come to get her soon. Scout was still sad, however, because Dill represented routine and order, and his absence meant that this was broken. Then, to compound all these disappointments, the state legislative was called into emergency session, so Atticus had to leave Maycomb for two weeks. Calpurnia stayed with the children, as a result, but she faced a dilemma one Sunday. She was trying to decide whether or not to send the children to church because she was not sure if the Sunday school teacher would be there. She needed the teacher to be there because if she was absent, the children would be alone at church and could create mischief. They needed adult supervision. She decided to take them to her church as her guests. The children were not welcome, initially, but the pastor, along with the bulk of the congregation, changed the tense tone by welcoming them verbally. The children experienced lining, where someone spoke/ read the verses of the song, and the congregation sang along. They also discovered that all preachers spoke on the same topic and experienced an offering collection that involved locking the church door, effectively imprisoning the congregation, until the goal of the offering reaching $10 was achieved. The offering was for Tom's wife and children. After the goal was accomplished, they discovered that Tom's wife was having a hard time getting a job because no one would hire her because her husband was accused of raping Bob Ewell's daughter. Calpurnia and the children, upon returning home from church, were surprised to see Aunt Alexandria on the porch.
Chapter 13
The children are informed, by Aunt Alexandria, that she intends to stay for a while. Things changed in the children's home because Maycomb welcomed her and integrated her into the community. People constantly visited and Scout was expected to behave in a ladylike manner and get to know all of her relatives. Additionally, upon Atticus' return, he was sent to lecture the children on aspects of their behaviour. The children were bewildered by these changes and Scout cried during one of Atticus' lectures. Atticus then took it all back and left the room, but not before the reader got a history of Maycomb and the inbreeding that occurred in it.
Chapter 14
The town attempted to alienate the Finch children with mean comments and, one evening, Scout remembered to ask Atticus the definition of rape. They discuss the children's visit to Calpurnia's church and the open invitation to her home. Aunt Alexandria objects to the visit and argues with Atticus about firing Calpurnia. Atticus assures her that he will never do this and they argue. The children go to Jem's room and Jem requests that Scout not antagonize their aunt. Scout reacts by fighting Jem after he threatens to spank her. Atticus separates them and the children go to their separate rooms. Scout, however, thought that she saw a snake under her bed. She calls Jem to get it and they discover Dill. Dill ran away from home because he felt emotionally neglected. Jem told Atticus, who called Dill's aunt, and the decision was made that he, Dill, would spend the night at the Finch's home.
Chapter 15
After much discussion, it was decided that Dill would stay in Maycomb for the summer. One evening, when Dill was over the Finch's house, a group of men came by to speak to Atticus. They spoke, in the front yard, about moving Tom Robinson to the Maycomb jail. The discussion among the men was getting tense and Jem diffused it by telling Atticus that the phone was ringing. The men laughed because Atticus told him to answer it. The men left and Atticus addressed Jem's fear about the Klu Klux Klan in Maycomb. The following day saw more tension when Atticus was accosted by a group of men before church, which fueled Jem's fear that someone might hurt Atticus. The result of this was a fake peace throughout the rest of the day, which entailed Atticus locking himself in his office and reading, Aunt Alexandria taking her two-hour mid-day nap, Jem reading football magazines in his room, and Dill and Scout playing football in the pasture. Evening came and Atticus did something peculiar; he left the house, in his car, carrying a long extension cord with a light bulb on the end. Jem, Scout, and Dill left to follow him at ten in the night, only to find Atticus guarding the Maycomb jailhouse, which housed Tom Robinson that night. The children were about to leave, but then they saw four carloads of men on the way, who wanted Atticus to hand over Tom Robinson. Scout and the other children intervene, with Scout diffusing a tense situation by having a friendly conversation with Mr. Walter Cunningham about his entailments and his son. She had a captive audience and Mr. Cunningham told the men to leave at the end of Scout's monologue. Atticus and the children leave, after assuring Tom Robinson that the men would not be back that night. Atticus gives Jem an affectionate head rub as they leave.
Chapter 16
Scout was crying, in reaction to the night's events, so Jem took her to his room. In the morning, Atticus and Aunt Alexandria quarrel over the fact that Calpurnia is too familiar with the family. Aunt Alexandria suggested that Atticus should put her in her place. Atticus then explained the dynamics of mob mentality to Scout, and how it can be broken because people are still individuals. Atticus leaves and the children watch the procession of people that pass their street. They discuss each group of persons, and then the children go into town to see the trial. Scout describes every person that she sees, the most interesting of which is a drunk Dolphus Raymond, with his black partner and mixed-race children. The children go into court and Scout encounters the Idler's Club, who puzzle Scout with their dislike of the fact that Atticus actually intended to defend Tom Robinson when Atticus actually had no choice because he was ordered to do so. The reverend then led the children up to the negro balcony so that they could watch the proceedings. Atticus was in the process of choosing a jury and Scout noted that the jurors were all country people and some Cunninghams.
Chapter 17
The solicitor was Mr. Grimes. He had a slight cast in one eye and used it to his advantage. He examined Heck Tate, on the stand, who testified that Mr. Ewell called him on the 21st of November, and he went to his home and found Mr. Ewell's daughter on the floor, badly beaten. She identified Tom Robinson as her attacker. Mr. Ewell then took the stand and corroborated Heck Tate's testimony. He added that he saw Tom Robinson abusing his daughter. Atticus also examined both witnesses, but only confirmed the location of cuts and bruises. Scout thought that Atticus was trying to make it look like the father could have injured the girl because he was left-handed, but she thought that this was a weak theory because Tom could have done it, left-handed or not. The reverend wanted the children to leave, but Jem convinced him otherwise. At each point, in examining the witnesses, Atticus asks them why they did not get a doctor for the girl. They both thought that it wasn't warranted and Ewell didn't want to pay the bill that would have followed a doctor's visit.
Chapter 18
Mayella Violet Ewell testified that she was beaten and raped by Tom Robinson. When Atticus questions her, she attempts to get the judge's sympathy by pretending that she is scared of Atticus. Atticus examined her and painted the picture of an impoverished, squalid, and friendless life. Atticus offended her by showing her courtesy and respect, which also spoke volumes about her life. Atticus ended the examination by proposing that she change her story and stating that her father beat her because she was cavorting with a nigger. He did not enjoy doing it and she refused to answer any more questions. They broke for a break, and then Atticus was encouraged to call his witness.
Chapter 19
Tom tried to make his oath on the Bible, but his crippled left hand would not allow it. Atticus' line of question indicated that Tom had nothing to hide. He then testified that he did odd manual labour for Mayella all the time, but, on the occasion in question, she had asked him to fix a door that needed no fixing, and get an object from a high chiffarobe. She then made her move on him. This was intentional because she had given the children money to go to town, money that she had saved for a year. Tom's predicament is that he could not lay a hand on a white woman, so he had to run, thereby looking guilty. Tom's testimony implied that there was an incestuous relationship between Mr. Ewell and his daughter. Mr. Ewell called Mayella a whore and threatened to kill her. Upon being cross-examined, however, Tom made the mistake of admitting that he felt sorry for Mayella, which is why he helped her. He caught himself after that, however, and did not fall into any more traps. Mr. Link Dias was Tom's only other supporter - other than Atticus and the black people in the courthouse - and he got ejected for his troubles. Tom was smart enough not to get caught in the wrong, by appearing to view himself as better than Mayella, and then steadily kept answering that Mayella was mistaken in her mind. Dill had to be escorted out of the courthouse, by Scout, due to his loud crying. It was in reaction to the cross-examination of Tom, which Dill saw as cruel. Dolphus Raymond was in agreement with Dill.
Chapter 20
The children discover that Dolphus Raymond was not a drunk. He perpetrates this act of fraud in order to give the citizens of Maycomb a reason for living outside of the expected norms of his society. He believed that they would not understand, so he gave them a reason for his 'madness'. The children re-enter the court, for Atticus' closing remarks. Atticus gave an emotive speech about equality existing in the court, so the jurors must do their duty in keeping the court system equal. He points out that there is no medical proof of rape and that Mayella was acting childishly by casting the blame - for attempting to seduce a Negro - on the victim, who is the Negro. Then Calpurnia enters the court and walks straight to Atticus.
Chapter 21
Calpurnia delivers a note to Atticus, from Aunt Alexandria, stating that the children were missing. The children were located and Atticus sent them home, with Calpurnia, but told them that they could return for the verdict. Jem, based on the arguments during the trial, is convinced that Atticus will win. Reverend Sykes saved the children's seat and he discussed, with Jem, Atticus' chance of winning the trial. Reverend Sykes did not believe that he could win because he had never seen a jury decide in favour of a coloured man who was up against a white man, but Jem was certain of victory. However, the jury deliberated and found Tom Robinson guilty of the rape of Mayella Ewell.
Chapter 22
Jem cried, in response to the verdict, and told Atticus that it wasn't fair. Atticus agreed. When the family got up in the morning, Atticus received a lot of food from the Negro community. He was grateful, but he told Calpurnia to tell them not to do it again because they could not spare the food. Miss Maudie tried to cheer the children up with cake, especially Jem. She told him that the town was not all bad, because the judge purposefully gave Atticus the case because he knew that he would do his best for Tom. She viewed the fact that the jury had a lengthy deliberation as a small victory because Atticus had made them think. He could not have won the case, but he made them think. Miss Stephany then told the children that Bob Ewell had spit in Atticus' face and had threatened him.
Chapter 23
Atticus was very calm in the face of being spat on and threatened. When asked if he was too proud to fight, he said he was too old. The children, as well as Aunt Alexandria, were worried about the threat that was made, but Atticus calmed them by explaining that it is better that he get the wrath of the Maycomb citizens than the children. Atticus tells Jem that Tom is in prison and that his case will be appealed, but that if he loses, he'll go to the chair. He explained to Jem that because Tom is a Negro, in Mississippi, the decision had to be a straight acquittal or nothing. Jem wanted rape to NOT be a capital offense, but Atticus said that the law would not be changed in their lifetimes. He told Jem that the unfair treatment of blacks would continue, but that whites would pay for it. They then discussed the choice of a jury, but Atticus reminded Jem that a good jury is based on good jurors, and every one comes with their biases. Then he told Jem that women could not be jurors in order to protect them from unsavory topics. Atticus was, however, heartened by the fact that the jury deliberated for so long. He even told Jem that a Cunningham had actually wanted an outright acquittal. Scout, based on the conversation, had a change of heart, regarding Walter Cunningham, and, instead of beating him up, wanted to invite him to dinner. Aunt Alexandria, however, said no because she thought that he was trash. Scout was offended by the comment and almost got physical in response, but Jem dragged her away. He tried to explain the social hierarchy of Maycomb to Scout, the highest being the educated and the lowest being the Negroes, but Scout insisted that people were just people. Jem said that he used to believe that, but he now understood why Boo locked himself away.
Chapter 24
The Missionary Society meeting was held at the Finch's house, with Aunt Alexandria at the helm. Calpurnia served the guests while Scout had to attend the meeting. She sat beside Miss Maudie, who helped her to get through Mrs. Meriweather and Mrs. Farrow's monologues. Both speakers expressed their dislike of the black people's reactions to the result of the trial and the resultant fear and distrust of the black people around them. Mrs. Farrow also critiqued Atticus' involvement in Tom Robinson's trial in a subtle way, but Mrs. Maudie put her in her place, just as subtly. Scout remembered, during the meeting, Calpurnia's report, on Tom, to Miss Rachel's cook. She reported that Tom was not doing well and Atticus could make no promises, but he thought that he had a good chance. Just then, Atticus entered the house and asked Aunt Alexandra for a minute of her time. He needed Calpurnia to go with him to Tom's house to tell his wife that Tom was dead. Calpurnia was visibly shaken by the news, Atticus less so. Aunt Alexandria revealed that while Atticus did not show it, he was affected by Tom's case. She asked what else Maycomb wanted from Atticus, and Miss Maudie clarified that the town paid him tribute because it trusted him to do the right thing. The women and Scout get themselves together and return to the meeting as if nothing had happened. Scout took unspoken orders from Aunt Alexandria and served cookies because she wanted to be a lady during a difficult period in time, like Aunt Alexandria. They later learned that Tom was killed while trying to escape from prison. He ran to the fence, and nearly got over it, but was shot seventeen times by the guards. They had, initially, fired warning shots that Tom did not heed.
Chapter 25
Jem would not let Scout kill a roly-poly, and, after insulting him about this, she got lost in the memory of Dill's report on what happened at the Robinson house, when Tom's wife was told of his death. Dill and Jem had hitched a ride, after swimming, and went with Calpurnia and Atticus to Tom's house. Helen, Tom's wife, had simply looked at Atticus and fainted. Maycomb's interest in Tom's death lasted two days, and the death was generally perceived as typical; to run, and to run blindly, with no plan. Tom's only defense came from Mr. B.B. Underwood, who likened Tom's death to the killing of a songbird. This comparison fell on deaf ears, however, because people were more interested in Mr. Ewell's response to Tom's death, which was one down, and about two more to go. Scout then came to the realization that no matter what Atticus did, Tom was a dead man once Mayella screamed. Jem told her never to repeat Mr. Ewell's view to Atticus.
Chapter 26
Jem and Scout had different school schedules that had them seeing each other in the morning and night. Scout did not forget Boo, however, and realized the cruelty behind their summer games. Scout, based on how both she and Jem were treated by the children of the town, formed the conclusion that the adults had spoken to their children and told them to be nice to Jem and Scout because they could not help the fact that Atticus was their father. She never understood, however, based on the town's view of Atticus, how he got re-elected to the state legislature. Scout then tells the story of a current affairs class where Adolph Hitler was discussed. Scout was puzzled by the fact that her teacher could be indignant about what was happening to the Jews, yet do the same thing to the Negroes daily. She asked Jem the question, but he had a violent and emotional response to the mention of the word courthouse. She went to Atticus for comfort and he held her and told her that Jem would be himself again when he was able to think about it.
Chapter 27
Three out-of-the-ordinary things happened in Maycomb: 1. Bob Ewell gained and lost a job 2. Judge Taylor's house was nearly burglarized with him in it and 3. Helen Robinson was taunted by the Ewells. Link Deas fixed the third issue, however, when he threatened Bob Ewell with the Ladies Law. Aunt Alexandria was still weary of Bob Ewell, but Atticus put her at ease by saying that the people of Maycomb did not take him seriously, as he would have wanted. Things eventually settled down, with two minor changes; people removed their N.R.A stickers and Halloween was formalized. The high school auditorium was opened with a pageant for the grown-ups and other fun activities. It was formalized because of the trick that the children had played on Mrs. Barbers; they were both going deaf, so, on Halloween night, the children moved their furniture into the basement. Scout was to be a ham on Halloween and Jem was to take her to the pageant because the other family members could not make it. She fixed that problem by performing for them, prior to the show.
Chapter 28
Jem walked Scout to the pageant, but they were frightened by Cecil Jacobs. Despite this prank, Scout hung out with Cecil until it was time for the performance. Scout fell asleep, however, and entered the stage late. She was so mortified that they waited until the crowd left to leave the auditorium. The children were attacked on their way home and Jem's hand was broken. They were saved by a stranger and the doctor came and took care of Jem. Heck Tate also came and investigated. He said that Bob Ewell was found, with a kitchen knife stuck under his ribs.
Chapter 29
Aunt Alexandria left the room and Jem told Heck Tate exactly what happened. He discovered evidence that Bob Ewell had actually stabbed Scout, but her ham costume had saved her. Boo Radley had saved Jem, by carrying him home to Atticus, and had saved Scout from being stabbed and squeezed to death. The chapter ends with Scout greeting Boo.
Chapter 30
Atticus invited everyone to the porch because it was dark, and Scout led Boo to sit in a chair in the darkest spot on the porch. Heck Tate and Atticus then argue about how Bob Ewell died. Heck Tate insisted that he fell on his own knife, but Atticus, who thinks that Jem did it, started thinking about his defense. He didn't want Jem (www.bulbsoup.com) to live with the whispers, so he needed the whole situation to be transparent. Heck insisted on his story, however, and told Atticus that Boo Radley's involvement would be left out of any public statements. Atticus relented and asked Scout if she understood what was discussed. She said yes because if things were interpreted any differently, it would be like killing a mockingbird. Atticus thanked Boo for the life of his children.
Chapter 31
Scout took Boo inside to say good night to a sleeping Jem. Aunt Alexandria accommodated the visit by leaving. Scout allowed him to pet Jem and then Boo walked her, like a lady, to his house. He went inside and she never saw him again. She stood by a window and viewed the years through Boo's eyes, which allowed her to see how Boo could have developed a sense of ownership of her, Jem and Dill. She went home and found Aunt Alexandria asleep and Atticus in Jem's room. She sat on his lap and asked him to read to her. She fell asleep while he dressed her and placed her in bed. He stayed up with Jem.
Part 1
Chapter 1
Eight-year-old Scout, the child narrator, introduces the Finch family history with Simon Finch, a fur-trapping apothecary from Cornwall. He established Finches Landing, the homestead where the men in the Finch family tended to remain. Atticus Finch broke this tradition by leaving when he went to the law school in Montgomery. He then returned to Maycomb, where his first two clients were the last two persons hanged in Maycomb County jail, which contributed to Atticus' profound distaste for criminal law. He remained in Maycomb and put his brother through medical school and became a father that Scout described as 'satisfactory'. The reader learns that Calpurnia is the children's primary caregiver because their mother has died. She was a Graham from Montgomery who was fifteen years younger than Atticus when they married. She died when (www.bulbsoup.com) Scout was two, so the child never felt her absence. Dill then enters the picture and the summers get interesting. He was from Meridian and was spending time with his aunt, Aunt Rachel, and would do so every summer. The children considered him to be a curiosity because of how he looked and behaved, which can only be described as different, in an interesting way. Dill made the summer interesting by introducing the idea of making Boo Radley come out of hiding.
The reader then learns about the history of the town recluse, whose reclusiveness was an insult to the friendly townspeople. The children learn about Boo from Miss Stephanie Crawford. It was believed that Boo was kept out of sight by his father, after he got in trouble with the law, and, upon his father's death, Boo's brother took over the role of 'protecting' him. It was noted that the only difference between Nathan Radley and Mr. Radley was their age. The more that the Finch children told Dill about Boo, the more he wanted to get Boo out of his house. He even dared Jem to try to get Boo out of the house, and he accepted, with much goading. After Jem successfully managed to slap his palm on the house, the children noted a tiny flicker of movement at the curtain.
Chapter 2
Summer ends and Dill leaves. Scout is then taken to school, by Jem, on her first day. It is a dream that has come true for Scout, but Jem laid out the rules for their communication at school. Scout, however, has a bad first day because her teacher, Miss Caroline Fisher, beats her. She gets herself in the teacher's bad book because she came to school already knowing how to read and write. By achieving these skills prematurely, she had, unbeknownst to her, messed with the Dewey Decimal System. Miss Caroline Fisher asked Scout to tell Atticus to stop teaching her to read and write. The audience learns, however, that she really learned to read and write by accident. She would sit in Atticus' lap while he read, and then, one day, she just could. Then the teacher discovered that Scout could also write, a fact that was clearly to be blamed on Calpurnia, who would set writing tasks for Scout to keep her occupied. Escapades with Miss Caroline continue when she unknowingly embarrasses Walter Cunningham. She discovered that he had no lunch and attempted to loan him money. He refused because he could not repay her, but she became insistent, which prompted Scout to attempt to rectify the situation. Scout tells Miss Fisher that she is embarrassing Walter, and the teacher becomes embarrassed and gives Scout a beating for being insolent. The teacher's whipping was so feeble that the class erupted in laughter, a situation that was further heightened when she threatened the entire class with Scout's fate. A senior teacher then came to the class and reprimanded Miss Caroline for the noise. The chapter ends with a forlorn Miss Caroline.
Chapter 3
Scout was beating up Walter Cunningham in the schoolyard when Jem parted them and invited Walter to lunch. At lunch, Walter and Atticus spoke like men and Scout disturbed them by highlighting the fact that Walter, strangely, poured syrup all over his food. Calpurnia both reprimanded and punished Scout for her actions and, in turn, Scout asked Atticus to fire Calpurnia. Atticus refused to do so on the basis that they could not go on without Calpurnia. Scout returned to school to encounter more drama. Burris Ewell had cooties and was very dirty. As a result, the teacher sent him home for a bath, but he was defiant and told her that he was leaving because he wanted to. The reader then learns that the Ewells only came to school on the first day and then a blind eye was turned to the fact that they did not return. Burris made Miss Caroline cry and the children comforted her and listened to one of her stories about talking animals. Scout went home and Calpurnia was very nice to her, making her favourite meal and giving her a kiss. Scout told Atticus about her day and the fact that she did not want to go to school again, like the Ewells. Atticus explained that a blind eye was turned on Ewell's activities, not going to school and hunting out of season, because their father was a drunk. They reached a compromise; Atticus would continue reading with Scout and they would not tell the teacher. The chapter ends with Atticus reading for his children, and Jem trying to be like the character in the book.
Chapter 4
The Dewey Decimal System, used by Scout's teacher, holds her back and bores her because she is not able to grow. Scout assesses it and finds it lacking because the people around her (Jem, Atticus, and her uncle) seem to have gotten along great without it. She, Scout, was released from school thirty minutes before Jem, so she went home without him. One evening she found chewing gum in the knot hole of a tree in the Radley yard. Jem was appalled that she had eaten it. The reader learns, at this point, that her relationship with Calpurnia has changed for the better. Shortly after this, school was out and the children found another gift in the tree; two Indian head pennies. They decided to keep the gifts until school started, then they would find out who they belonged to. Dill arrived two days later and the playing and fun began. First, they enacted plays and discussed Hot Steam. They even rolled Scout in a barrel and she ended up in the Radley yard. Then they started the Boo Radley game, where they enacted pieces of town gossip that they heard. A suspicious Atticus implied strongly that they should stop the game and Scout agreed because she had heard laughter in the house when she had been accidentally rolled into the Radley yard.
Chapter 5
Scout got close to Miss Maudie Atkins because the boys started to ignore her. She learned a lot about Miss Maudie and even got her opinion on Boo. She believed that he should not be judged because he had a foot-washing Baptist for a father, and the community did not know what went on behind closed doors. The reader also learns of the interesting dynamic that exists between Scout and Uncle Jack. Scout then became embroiled in the boys' plan to get a letter to Boo. They would stick it through a window via a fishing rod, with Dill and Scout as the lookouts. Atticus caught them and told them to leave Boo alone and stop interfering in his life. They got a lesson in trying to put themselves in someone else's shoes.
Chapter 6
Atticus gave the children permission to visit Dill on his last night in Maycomb, for the summer. The boys promptly hatched a plan to peek through Boo's window. Scout was against it, but her tiny voice of reason was drowned out. They succeeded in looking through the window and seeing a shadow. However, Nathan heard the noise and fired a shot. They escaped, but Jem got caught in the fence and had to strip out of his trousers and leave them in the fence. The children managed to cover their tracks with the adults that congregated at Nathan Radley's fence, with Dill and Jem covering for one another. Jem went back for his pants that night.
Chapter 7
Jem was moody after that incident and Scout stayed out of his way. Second grade began and Scout found it to be boring because she already knew the required syllabus, but she enjoyed the fact that she now got to walk home with her brother. It was on one of these walks that Jem told her the reason behind his quietness. He had found his pants, but they were darned and neatly folded, waiting for him. This fact spooked the two children and they pondered on it a bit. They got distracted, however, by the gifts in the knot-hole. They got additional ones; a ball of grey twine, two figures carved in soap, a pack of chewing gum, tarnished metal, and a pocket watch. The children decided to write a thank you note, but when Jem went to put it in the knot hole of the tree, cement had been poured into it. He asked Nathan Radley if he had done it and he said yes. He asked him why and he said that the tree was dying and that was the remedy. Jem asked Atticus about the health of the tree and he told him that the tree was healthy. He then told him what Nathan said and had done to the tree. Jem is very sad at the end of this chapter, it closes with him crying.
Chapter 8
Winter brought snow with it and the children thought that they had something to do with it because they were disobedient. Mrs. Radley died that winter as well and the children got a snow day and decided to build a snowman. They used dirt as the base and covered it with snow. They also used Miss Maudie's hat and clippers to decorate the snowman. In the end, the snowman looked like Mr. Avery, so Atticus said they should make some changes to the snowman. It got very cold and Calpurnia, despite being asked to stay, decided to go home. Scout, however, was awakened in the middle of the night by a fire at Miss Maudie's house. The town folk came together and helped to take her furniture out, but the fire truck was out of service and two other trucks, from out of town, came to the rescue. Miss Maudie's house still burnt to cinders, however. The children were ordered to stand outside the Radley gate and Scout complained of being cold. When they returned home in the early morning, the family realized that Boo Radley had placed a blanket over Scout. The children stayed home the next day and visited Miss Maudie, who was in high spirits. She was now staying with Miss Stephanie Crawdord and was already making plans to build a small house, so there would be more room for her followers, and to bake a lane cake for Mr. Avery, who was particularly heroic in getting her furniture out of the house.
Chapter 9
Scout almost fought at school, defending Atticus from being called a nigger lover. Atticus explained, to Scout, that he was defending Tom Robinson, a Negro, and that was doing it because it was right. He explained that they would lose the case, but that does not mean that they still shouldn't try. Christmas arrived and Uncle Jack came to town with the children's presents from Atticus, air rifles. Scout is also promised a beating from Uncle Jack if she does not stop cursing, but she does so in order to push Atticus to NOT send her to school because she learned it there. They go to Finch's Landing for Christmas dinner, but the evening is cut short when Scout is beaten by Uncle Jack for fighting and cursing, and they leave. She later explained to Jack that Francis had called Atticus a nigger lover and said that the family believed that he was not doing a good job of raising them. Uncle Jack tended to Scout's cut and spoke to Atticus about the situation. Atticus said that things would only get worse and that he was sorry for this fact, but he hoped that Scout would learn to control her temper, as Jem has done.
Chapter 10
Scout listed a stream of shortcomings that Atticus possessed, based on his age. He was older than the parents at school, he did not tackle with Jem, he did not do the things that their teammates' fathers did, he wore glasses and all he did was read. Based on this assessment, Scout asked Miss Maudie, as well as Calpurnia, what Atticus could do. Meanwhile, at school, word got around that Scout was forbidden to fight anyone in her family who spoke ill of Atticus. Despite buying them air rifles, Atticus did not teach the children to shoot, instead, it was Uncle Jack who instructed them in the rudiments of shooting. In fact, Atticus caught Scout aiming for Miss Maudie's rear end and told her not to let him catch her aiming at anyone again. On Saturday, a mad dog, Tim Johnson, lumbered down the street and Atticus was the one to shoot the dog with one shot. Jem was awestruck and Scout wanted to spread the word about Atticus' talent, but Jem persuaded her not to do so.
Chapter 11
Jem and Scout hated Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose because she would hurl insults at them, from her porch, as they passed. They usually ignored her, but one evening, after buying a baton and steam engine in town, Mrs. Dubose insulted Atticus and Jem could take it no more. He, therefore, destroyed Mrs. Dubose's camelia bush and, additionally, snapped Scout's new baton in two and kicked her. Jem was sent to apologize to Mrs. Dubose and Scout dutifully waited for her brother in her father's lap at home. When Jem returned, he reported that he had to read to Mrs. Dubose for two hours, every afternoon except Sunday, for a month, despite the fact that he had cleaned up the mess that he had made. He would also have to tend to the camelia bushes on Saturdays until they grew back. Scout accompanied Jem on every visit and observed every move that Mrs. Dubose made. The old lady seemed to enjoy the visits so much that she would keep the children past the stipulated time, to Scout and Jem's distress. They ended up visiting for a week longer and were very relieved when the period ended. They soon learned that Mrs. Dubose died. Atticus explained that she was a morphine addict who lived with pain daily but chose to end her addiction. Atticus had wanted Jem to meet her because he wanted Jem to witness real courage, instead of associating courage with a man carrying a gun. She left a candy box with a camelia in it for Jem, which he received after her death.
Part 2
Chapter 12
Jem was growing up and changing. As a result, Scout was warned, by Atticus and Calpurnia, that he would be irritable and need alone time. To make Scout's summer worse, Dill did not come to Maycomb. Dill had a new father, but he told Scout, in a letter, that he still loved her and would come to get her soon. Scout was still sad, however, because Dill represented routine and order, and his absence meant that this was broken. Then, to compound all these disappointments, the state legislative was called into emergency session, so Atticus had to leave Maycomb for two weeks. Calpurnia stayed with the children, as a result, but she faced a dilemma one Sunday. She was trying to decide whether or not to send the children to church because she was not sure if the Sunday school teacher would be there. She needed the teacher to be there because if she was absent, the children would be alone at church and could create mischief. They needed adult supervision. She decided to take them to her church as her guests. The children were not welcome, initially, but the pastor, along with the bulk of the congregation, changed the tense tone by welcoming them verbally. The children experienced lining, where someone spoke/ read the verses of the song, and the congregation sang along. They also discovered that all preachers spoke on the same topic and experienced an offering collection that involved locking the church door, effectively imprisoning the congregation, until the goal of the offering reaching $10 was achieved. The offering was for Tom's wife and children. After the goal was accomplished, they discovered that Tom's wife was having a hard time getting a job because no one would hire her because her husband was accused of raping Bob Ewell's daughter. Calpurnia and the children, upon returning home from church, were surprised to see Aunt Alexandria on the porch.
Chapter 13
The children are informed, by Aunt Alexandria, that she intends to stay for a while. Things changed in the children's home because Maycomb welcomed her and integrated her into the community. People constantly visited and Scout was expected to behave in a ladylike manner and get to know all of her relatives. Additionally, upon Atticus' return, he was sent to lecture the children on aspects of their behaviour. The children were bewildered by these changes and Scout cried during one of Atticus' lectures. Atticus then took it all back and left the room, but not before the reader got a history of Maycomb and the inbreeding that occurred in it.
Chapter 14
The town attempted to alienate the Finch children with mean comments and, one evening, Scout remembered to ask Atticus the definition of rape. They discuss the children's visit to Calpurnia's church and the open invitation to her home. Aunt Alexandria objects to the visit and argues with Atticus about firing Calpurnia. Atticus assures her that he will never do this and they argue. The children go to Jem's room and Jem requests that Scout not antagonize their aunt. Scout reacts by fighting Jem after he threatens to spank her. Atticus separates them and the children go to their separate rooms. Scout, however, thought that she saw a snake under her bed. She calls Jem to get it and they discover Dill. Dill ran away from home because he felt emotionally neglected. Jem told Atticus, who called Dill's aunt, and the decision was made that he, Dill, would spend the night at the Finch's home.
Chapter 15
After much discussion, it was decided that Dill would stay in Maycomb for the summer. One evening, when Dill was over the Finch's house, a group of men came by to speak to Atticus. They spoke, in the front yard, about moving Tom Robinson to the Maycomb jail. The discussion among the men was getting tense and Jem diffused it by telling Atticus that the phone was ringing. The men laughed because Atticus told him to answer it. The men left and Atticus addressed Jem's fear about the Klu Klux Klan in Maycomb. The following day saw more tension when Atticus was accosted by a group of men before church, which fueled Jem's fear that someone might hurt Atticus. The result of this was a fake peace throughout the rest of the day, which entailed Atticus locking himself in his office and reading, Aunt Alexandria taking her two-hour mid-day nap, Jem reading football magazines in his room, and Dill and Scout playing football in the pasture. Evening came and Atticus did something peculiar; he left the house, in his car, carrying a long extension cord with a light bulb on the end. Jem, Scout, and Dill left to follow him at ten in the night, only to find Atticus guarding the Maycomb jailhouse, which housed Tom Robinson that night. The children were about to leave, but then they saw four carloads of men on the way, who wanted Atticus to hand over Tom Robinson. Scout and the other children intervene, with Scout diffusing a tense situation by having a friendly conversation with Mr. Walter Cunningham about his entailments and his son. She had a captive audience and Mr. Cunningham told the men to leave at the end of Scout's monologue. Atticus and the children leave, after assuring Tom Robinson that the men would not be back that night. Atticus gives Jem an affectionate head rub as they leave.
Chapter 16
Scout was crying, in reaction to the night's events, so Jem took her to his room. In the morning, Atticus and Aunt Alexandria quarrel over the fact that Calpurnia is too familiar with the family. Aunt Alexandria suggested that Atticus should put her in her place. Atticus then explained the dynamics of mob mentality to Scout, and how it can be broken because people are still individuals. Atticus leaves and the children watch the procession of people that pass their street. They discuss each group of persons, and then the children go into town to see the trial. Scout describes every person that she sees, the most interesting of which is a drunk Dolphus Raymond, with his black partner and mixed-race children. The children go into court and Scout encounters the Idler's Club, who puzzle Scout with their dislike of the fact that Atticus actually intended to defend Tom Robinson when Atticus actually had no choice because he was ordered to do so. The reverend then led the children up to the negro balcony so that they could watch the proceedings. Atticus was in the process of choosing a jury and Scout noted that the jurors were all country people and some Cunninghams.
Chapter 17
The solicitor was Mr. Grimes. He had a slight cast in one eye and used it to his advantage. He examined Heck Tate, on the stand, who testified that Mr. Ewell called him on the 21st of November, and he went to his home and found Mr. Ewell's daughter on the floor, badly beaten. She identified Tom Robinson as her attacker. Mr. Ewell then took the stand and corroborated Heck Tate's testimony. He added that he saw Tom Robinson abusing his daughter. Atticus also examined both witnesses, but only confirmed the location of cuts and bruises. Scout thought that Atticus was trying to make it look like the father could have injured the girl because he was left-handed, but she thought that this was a weak theory because Tom could have done it, left-handed or not. The reverend wanted the children to leave, but Jem convinced him otherwise. At each point, in examining the witnesses, Atticus asks them why they did not get a doctor for the girl. They both thought that it wasn't warranted and Ewell didn't want to pay the bill that would have followed a doctor's visit.
Chapter 18
Mayella Violet Ewell testified that she was beaten and raped by Tom Robinson. When Atticus questions her, she attempts to get the judge's sympathy by pretending that she is scared of Atticus. Atticus examined her and painted the picture of an impoverished, squalid, and friendless life. Atticus offended her by showing her courtesy and respect, which also spoke volumes about her life. Atticus ended the examination by proposing that she change her story and stating that her father beat her because she was cavorting with a nigger. He did not enjoy doing it and she refused to answer any more questions. They broke for a break, and then Atticus was encouraged to call his witness.
Chapter 19
Tom tried to make his oath on the Bible, but his crippled left hand would not allow it. Atticus' line of question indicated that Tom had nothing to hide. He then testified that he did odd manual labour for Mayella all the time, but, on the occasion in question, she had asked him to fix a door that needed no fixing, and get an object from a high chiffarobe. She then made her move on him. This was intentional because she had given the children money to go to town, money that she had saved for a year. Tom's predicament is that he could not lay a hand on a white woman, so he had to run, thereby looking guilty. Tom's testimony implied that there was an incestuous relationship between Mr. Ewell and his daughter. Mr. Ewell called Mayella a whore and threatened to kill her. Upon being cross-examined, however, Tom made the mistake of admitting that he felt sorry for Mayella, which is why he helped her. He caught himself after that, however, and did not fall into any more traps. Mr. Link Dias was Tom's only other supporter - other than Atticus and the black people in the courthouse - and he got ejected for his troubles. Tom was smart enough not to get caught in the wrong, by appearing to view himself as better than Mayella, and then steadily kept answering that Mayella was mistaken in her mind. Dill had to be escorted out of the courthouse, by Scout, due to his loud crying. It was in reaction to the cross-examination of Tom, which Dill saw as cruel. Dolphus Raymond was in agreement with Dill.
Chapter 20
The children discover that Dolphus Raymond was not a drunk. He perpetrates this act of fraud in order to give the citizens of Maycomb a reason for living outside of the expected norms of his society. He believed that they would not understand, so he gave them a reason for his 'madness'. The children re-enter the court, for Atticus' closing remarks. Atticus gave an emotive speech about equality existing in the court, so the jurors must do their duty in keeping the court system equal. He points out that there is no medical proof of rape and that Mayella was acting childishly by casting the blame - for attempting to seduce a Negro - on the victim, who is the Negro. Then Calpurnia enters the court and walks straight to Atticus.
Chapter 21
Calpurnia delivers a note to Atticus, from Aunt Alexandria, stating that the children were missing. The children were located and Atticus sent them home, with Calpurnia, but told them that they could return for the verdict. Jem, based on the arguments during the trial, is convinced that Atticus will win. Reverend Sykes saved the children's seat and he discussed, with Jem, Atticus' chance of winning the trial. Reverend Sykes did not believe that he could win because he had never seen a jury decide in favour of a coloured man who was up against a white man, but Jem was certain of victory. However, the jury deliberated and found Tom Robinson guilty of the rape of Mayella Ewell.
Chapter 22
Jem cried, in response to the verdict, and told Atticus that it wasn't fair. Atticus agreed. When the family got up in the morning, Atticus received a lot of food from the Negro community. He was grateful, but he told Calpurnia to tell them not to do it again because they could not spare the food. Miss Maudie tried to cheer the children up with cake, especially Jem. She told him that the town was not all bad, because the judge purposefully gave Atticus the case because he knew that he would do his best for Tom. She viewed the fact that the jury had a lengthy deliberation as a small victory because Atticus had made them think. He could not have won the case, but he made them think. Miss Stephany then told the children that Bob Ewell had spit in Atticus' face and had threatened him.
Chapter 23
Atticus was very calm in the face of being spat on and threatened. When asked if he was too proud to fight, he said he was too old. The children, as well as Aunt Alexandria, were worried about the threat that was made, but Atticus calmed them by explaining that it is better that he get the wrath of the Maycomb citizens than the children. Atticus tells Jem that Tom is in prison and that his case will be appealed, but that if he loses, he'll go to the chair. He explained to Jem that because Tom is a Negro, in Mississippi, the decision had to be a straight acquittal or nothing. Jem wanted rape to NOT be a capital offense, but Atticus said that the law would not be changed in their lifetimes. He told Jem that the unfair treatment of blacks would continue, but that whites would pay for it. They then discussed the choice of a jury, but Atticus reminded Jem that a good jury is based on good jurors, and every one comes with their biases. Then he told Jem that women could not be jurors in order to protect them from unsavory topics. Atticus was, however, heartened by the fact that the jury deliberated for so long. He even told Jem that a Cunningham had actually wanted an outright acquittal. Scout, based on the conversation, had a change of heart, regarding Walter Cunningham, and, instead of beating him up, wanted to invite him to dinner. Aunt Alexandria, however, said no because she thought that he was trash. Scout was offended by the comment and almost got physical in response, but Jem dragged her away. He tried to explain the social hierarchy of Maycomb to Scout, the highest being the educated and the lowest being the Negroes, but Scout insisted that people were just people. Jem said that he used to believe that, but he now understood why Boo locked himself away.
Chapter 24
The Missionary Society meeting was held at the Finch's house, with Aunt Alexandria at the helm. Calpurnia served the guests while Scout had to attend the meeting. She sat beside Miss Maudie, who helped her to get through Mrs. Meriweather and Mrs. Farrow's monologues. Both speakers expressed their dislike of the black people's reactions to the result of the trial and the resultant fear and distrust of the black people around them. Mrs. Farrow also critiqued Atticus' involvement in Tom Robinson's trial in a subtle way, but Mrs. Maudie put her in her place, just as subtly. Scout remembered, during the meeting, Calpurnia's report, on Tom, to Miss Rachel's cook. She reported that Tom was not doing well and Atticus could make no promises, but he thought that he had a good chance. Just then, Atticus entered the house and asked Aunt Alexandra for a minute of her time. He needed Calpurnia to go with him to Tom's house to tell his wife that Tom was dead. Calpurnia was visibly shaken by the news, Atticus less so. Aunt Alexandria revealed that while Atticus did not show it, he was affected by Tom's case. She asked what else Maycomb wanted from Atticus, and Miss Maudie clarified that the town paid him tribute because it trusted him to do the right thing. The women and Scout get themselves together and return to the meeting as if nothing had happened. Scout took unspoken orders from Aunt Alexandria and served cookies because she wanted to be a lady during a difficult period in time, like Aunt Alexandria. They later learned that Tom was killed while trying to escape from prison. He ran to the fence, and nearly got over it, but was shot seventeen times by the guards. They had, initially, fired warning shots that Tom did not heed.
Chapter 25
Jem would not let Scout kill a roly-poly, and, after insulting him about this, she got lost in the memory of Dill's report on what happened at the Robinson house, when Tom's wife was told of his death. Dill and Jem had hitched a ride, after swimming, and went with Calpurnia and Atticus to Tom's house. Helen, Tom's wife, had simply looked at Atticus and fainted. Maycomb's interest in Tom's death lasted two days, and the death was generally perceived as typical; to run, and to run blindly, with no plan. Tom's only defense came from Mr. B.B. Underwood, who likened Tom's death to the killing of a songbird. This comparison fell on deaf ears, however, because people were more interested in Mr. Ewell's response to Tom's death, which was one down, and about two more to go. Scout then came to the realization that no matter what Atticus did, Tom was a dead man once Mayella screamed. Jem told her never to repeat Mr. Ewell's view to Atticus.
Chapter 26
Jem and Scout had different school schedules that had them seeing each other in the morning and night. Scout did not forget Boo, however, and realized the cruelty behind their summer games. Scout, based on how both she and Jem were treated by the children of the town, formed the conclusion that the adults had spoken to their children and told them to be nice to Jem and Scout because they could not help the fact that Atticus was their father. She never understood, however, based on the town's view of Atticus, how he got re-elected to the state legislature. Scout then tells the story of a current affairs class where Adolph Hitler was discussed. Scout was puzzled by the fact that her teacher could be indignant about what was happening to the Jews, yet do the same thing to the Negroes daily. She asked Jem the question, but he had a violent and emotional response to the mention of the word courthouse. She went to Atticus for comfort and he held her and told her that Jem would be himself again when he was able to think about it.
Chapter 27
Three out-of-the-ordinary things happened in Maycomb: 1. Bob Ewell gained and lost a job 2. Judge Taylor's house was nearly burglarized with him in it and 3. Helen Robinson was taunted by the Ewells. Link Deas fixed the third issue, however, when he threatened Bob Ewell with the Ladies Law. Aunt Alexandria was still weary of Bob Ewell, but Atticus put her at ease by saying that the people of Maycomb did not take him seriously, as he would have wanted. Things eventually settled down, with two minor changes; people removed their N.R.A stickers and Halloween was formalized. The high school auditorium was opened with a pageant for the grown-ups and other fun activities. It was formalized because of the trick that the children had played on Mrs. Barbers; they were both going deaf, so, on Halloween night, the children moved their furniture into the basement. Scout was to be a ham on Halloween and Jem was to take her to the pageant because the other family members could not make it. She fixed that problem by performing for them, prior to the show.
Chapter 28
Jem walked Scout to the pageant, but they were frightened by Cecil Jacobs. Despite this prank, Scout hung out with Cecil until it was time for the performance. Scout fell asleep, however, and entered the stage late. She was so mortified that they waited until the crowd left to leave the auditorium. The children were attacked on their way home and Jem's hand was broken. They were saved by a stranger and the doctor came and took care of Jem. Heck Tate also came and investigated. He said that Bob Ewell was found, with a kitchen knife stuck under his ribs.
Chapter 29
Aunt Alexandria left the room and Jem told Heck Tate exactly what happened. He discovered evidence that Bob Ewell had actually stabbed Scout, but her ham costume had saved her. Boo Radley had saved Jem, by carrying him home to Atticus, and had saved Scout from being stabbed and squeezed to death. The chapter ends with Scout greeting Boo.
Chapter 30
Atticus invited everyone to the porch because it was dark, and Scout led Boo to sit in a chair in the darkest spot on the porch. Heck Tate and Atticus then argue about how Bob Ewell died. Heck Tate insisted that he fell on his own knife, but Atticus, who thinks that Jem did it, started thinking about his defense. He didn't want Jem (www.bulbsoup.com) to live with the whispers, so he needed the whole situation to be transparent. Heck insisted on his story, however, and told Atticus that Boo Radley's involvement would be left out of any public statements. Atticus relented and asked Scout if she understood what was discussed. She said yes because if things were interpreted any differently, it would be like killing a mockingbird. Atticus thanked Boo for the life of his children.
Chapter 31
Scout took Boo inside to say good night to a sleeping Jem. Aunt Alexandria accommodated the visit by leaving. Scout allowed him to pet Jem and then Boo walked her, like a lady, to his house. He went inside and she never saw him again. She stood by a window and viewed the years through Boo's eyes, which allowed her to see how Boo could have developed a sense of ownership of her, Jem and Dill. She went home and found Aunt Alexandria asleep and Atticus in Jem's room. She sat on his lap and asked him to read to her. She fell asleep while he dressed her and placed her in bed. He stayed up with Jem.
Contributor: Leisa Samuels-Thomas
Lee, Harper. To Kill A Mockingbird. Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Ltd, 1960.
http://literarydevices.net/bildungsroman/
http://www.biography.com/people/harper-lee-9377021#synopsis
http://www.history.com/topics/great-depression
http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/links/misclink/examples/homepage.htm
http://www.history.com/topics/dust-bowl
Lee, Harper. To Kill A Mockingbird. Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Ltd, 1960.
http://literarydevices.net/bildungsroman/
http://www.biography.com/people/harper-lee-9377021#synopsis
http://www.history.com/topics/great-depression
http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/links/misclink/examples/homepage.htm
http://www.history.com/topics/dust-bowl
