To Kill a Mockingbird - Chapter 19-31

Atticus says that guilt motivated Mayella. She felt guilty and ashamed because she broke a severe, time-honored code: "She was white, and she tempted a Negro. She did something that in our society is unspeakable: she kissed a black man...No code mattered to her before she broke it, but it came crashing down on her afterwards." In order to rid herself of this guilt, she tried to destroy the evidence of her offense. This evidence consisted of Tom Robinson himself, "her daily reminder of what she did."

According to Atticus, what motivated Mayella Ewell to accuse Tom Robinson of raping her?

Mr. Ewell stopped Atticus in town and spat in his face. Then, he threatened Atticus, promising that he would "get him if it took the rest of his life."

According to Stephanie Crawford, what did Mr. Ewell do to Atticus earlier that morning?

He says that because things have not caught up to Dill's instincts yet, the boy still cries "about the simple hell people give other people—without even thinking. Cry about the hell white people give colored folks, without even stopping to think that they're people, too."

How does Dolphus Raymond explain Dill's crying?

He says that there are four kinds of people in the world: "There's the ordinary kind like us and the neighbors, there's the kind like the Cunninghams out in the woods, the kind like the Ewells down at the dump, and the Negroes." He goes on to explain, "...our kind of folks don't like the Cunninghams, the Cunninghams don't like the Ewells, and the Ewells hate and despise the colored folks."

How does Jem describe the social hierarchy in Maycomb?

He means that the jury acted unjustly, and the majority of the town does not seem to care. Children are the only ones who weep at injustice because they are still capable of feeling outrage at unfairness. The adults in the town, on the other hand, are ignorant, jaded, or perhaps simply unwilling or unable to freely express indignation at the wrongness of the situation.

What does Atticus mean when he says, it "seems that only children weep"?

He says that Tom is dead: "They shot him...He was running. It was during their exercise period. They said he just broke into a blind raving charge at the fence and started climbing over. Right in front of them—." According to Atticus, the guards had yelled for Tom to stop and had fired a few warning shots into the air. When Tom did not stop, they shot to kill: "They said if he'd had two good arms he'd have made it, he was moving that fast. Seventeen bullet holes in him."

When Atticus arrives home, what terrible news does he bring about Tom Robinson? Summarize what happened to Tom, according to Atticus.

She is making a veiled criticism of Atticus and his defense of Tom Robinson. She implies that Atticus thought that he was doing the right thing by defending Tom, but all he really did was "stir up" the black population and cause further trouble for white people like her.

When Mrs. Merriweather claims, "there are some good but misguided people in this town," what is she talking about, and to whom is she referring?

Alexandra is referring to the people of Maycomb. She means that Atticus, by trying to do what is morally right, is doing the job that no one else is brave enough to do: "They're perfectly willing to let him do what they're too afraid to do themselves—it might lose 'em a nickel. They're perfectly willing to let him wreck his health doing what they're afraid to do..." She sees that Atticus is acting as the lone moral upholder for the entire town, and the burden is wearing him down. To make matters worse, instead of expressing gratitude for his service to them, the townspeople criticize him behind his back.

Alexandra asks Miss Maudie, "[W]hat else do they want from him, Maudie, what else?" What does she mean by this question? To whom is she referring with the word they?

Alexandra says that the Ewells are the kind of people who would "do anything to pay off a grudge." When Atticus asks her what Bob Ewell could possibly do to him, she replies, "Something furtive...you may count on that," implying that Ewell's revenge will be sneaky and/or unexpected. Opinions will vary on the second part of the question.

Alexandra disagrees with Atticus about the threat. What are her reasons? In your opinion, should Atticus be taking the threat more seriously?

Atticus is not worried at all. He does not believe that Ewell will follow through on the threat. He explains to Jem and Scout that Ewell's credibility had been destroyed at the trial, and the man simply had to take his anger out on somebody. He adds that he would rather have Ewell take it out on him than on Mayella and the other Ewell children.

Alexandra disagrees with Atticus about the threat. What are her reasons? In your opinion, should Atticus be taking the threat more seriously?

He means that the justice system works only when each individual juror takes his duty seriously. This means that a juror must use reason and intellect, weigh the evidence objectively, and leave all biases and/or prejudices out of the courtroom.

As Atticus finishes his statement, he says, "A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up." What does he mean by this assertion?

Scout recaps for Atticus the plot of The Gray Ghost: "...they all thought it was Stoner's boy messin' up their clubhouse an' throwin' ink all over it an'...they chased him 'n' never could catch him 'cause they didn't know what he looked like, an'...when they finally saw him, why he hadn't done any of those things...Atticus, he was real nice...." The ending of The Gray Ghost is similar to the ending of To Kill a Mockingbird. At the beginning of the novel, Scout and Jem had been frightened and suspicious of Boo Radley because of the scary rumors and gossip that surrounded the Radley family. However, by the end of the novel, Scout realizes that Boo had not been some kind of monster at all. When she finally sees him, she discovers that he had been just the opposite—shy, gentle, generous, and kind.

As Atticus leads Scout to bed, she dreamily talks about the plot of The Gray Ghost, one of the novels that she and Jem had known very well. How is the ending of that book similar to Scout's experiences with Boo Radley?

Jem stops her, explaining that the defenseless bug had done nothing to her. Like the mockingbird, the roly-poly bug is a symbol of innocence. The incident underscores the theme that thoughtless actions and/or deliberate cruelty can cause the destruction of innocent creatures, a concept that is most clearly illuminated by the death of Tom Robinson.

As Scout is about to kill a roly-poly bug. What stops her from doing it? What theme does the incident underscore?

Atticus says that many Maycomb citizens simply are not interested in serving on a jury. In addition, they fear retribution from their fellow citizens. To explain this to Jem and Scout, Atticus provides the following example: "Well, what if—say, Mr. Link Deas had to decide the amount of damages to award, say, Miss Maudie, when Miss Rachel ran over her with a car. Link wouldn't like the thought of losing either lady's business at his store...so he tells Judge Taylor that he can't serve on the jury because he doesn't have anybody to keep store for him while he's gone." Finally, Atticus says, "Serving on a jury forces a man to make up his mind and declare himself about something. Men don't like to do that. Sometimes it's unpleasant."

According to Atticus, what are three reasons why many Maycomb citizens do not want to serve on a jury? Summarize the example he uses to illustrate one of these reasons.

On the surface, Atticus means that the case is not complicated—the evidence is clear, and its implications are obvious. On a deeper level, however, the statement implies that the case is about nothing other than race.

At one point during his closing remarks, Atticus says to the jury, "This case is as simple as black and white." What does he mean by this statement? How can it be interpreted on more than one level?

Bob Ewell went after the children because he was too cowardly to face Atticus himself. As Sheriff Tate tells Atticus, "He had guts enough to pester a poor colored woman, he had guts enough to pester Judge Taylor when he thought the house was empty, so do you think he'da met you to your face in daylight?"

According to Heck Tate, why did Bob Ewell go after Scout and Jem instead of Atticus?

Jem theorizes that the difference has something to do with the ability to read and write. According to him, "background" does not mean how long a family has been around. Instead, "it's how long your family's been readin' and writin'." He concludes that the Finches and the Cunninghams are different because "We've just been readin' and writin' longer'n they have." Scout disagrees, wisely reasoning that background cannot be the ability to read and write because these things must be learned: "No, everybody's gotta learn, nobody's born knowin'. That Walter's as smart as he can be, he just gets held back sometimes because he has to stay out and help his daddy. Nothin's wrong with him. Naw, Jem, I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks." Scout's response exemplifies the antithesis of racism and/or classism: the idea that people are just people and that no one is inherently different from anyone else.

Jem talks about "background" to explain how the Finches are different from the Cunninghams. How does he define "background"? What is Scout's response to his theory?

Mayella called him inside to check out a door, it was fine so she asked him to get down a box. She then started to kiss him. He tried to leave but she block the door. At that point, Mr. Ewell appeared at the window and started shouting at Mayella. Tom ran out of the house as fast as he could.

Summarize Tom's testimony. According to him, what happened on the day of the alleged crime?

Calpurnia said that Tom had given up all hope of ever becoming free again. According to her, "the last thing he said to Atticus before they took him down to the prison camp was, 'Goodbye, Mr. Finch, there ain't nothin' you can do now, so there ain't no use tryin'."

What did Calpurnia say to Miss Rachel's cook about Tom's despair? According to her, what was the last thing Tom had told Atticus before being taken to the prison camp?

As Scout looks around, she notices that all the black people are standing up as Atticus walks down the aisle below: "They were standing. All around us and in the balcony on the opposite wall, the Negroes were getting to their feet." This gesture signifies their deep respect for Atticus. Reverend Sykes makes it clear when he tells Scout, "Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passin'."

What do the black spectators do as Atticus leaves the courtroom? What does their gesture signify?

The ladies are greatly concerned for poor black people halfway around the world, but they have no sympathy or consideration for the black people in their own town. For example, as Mrs. Merriweather speaks of the Mrunas, her eyes fill with tears in consideration of "the oppressed." At the same time, she refuses to acknowledge the oppression that the blacks in Maycomb suffer at the hands of the whites.

. The theme of hypocrisy plays a major role in this chapter. What is hypocritical about the concern the ladies of the missionary circle have for the Mrunas?

Atticus says that once the higher court reviews his case, Tom has a good chance of going free or at least receiving a new trial.

According to Atticus, what is optimistic about Tom's case?

The Mrunas are a tribe of people that the missionary circle is trying to civilize and Christianize, under the leadership of a Methodist minister named J. Grimes Everett. Although it is not directly stated where the Mrunas live, several clues indicate that they are an African tribe. For example, Mrs. Merriweather describes them as "living in that jungle" and states, "Not a white person'll go near 'em but that saintly J. Grimes Everett."

Aunt Alexandra is entertaining her missionary circle. Who are the Mrunas, and why is the missionary circle interested in them?

The note is from Alexandra. She writes that Jem and Scout are missing; they have not been seen since noon.

Calpurnia comes into the courtroom to hand a note to Atticus. What does the note say?

Tate tries to convince Atticus that Bob Ewell fell on his knife and killed himself. However, Atticus does not believe him and continues to think that Tate is covering up for Jem.

Heck Tate tries to convince Atticus that Scout was wrong in her recollection of who killed Bob Ewell. What is Tate's theory?

Atticus makes it clear that racism is based on a series of lies and evil assumptions: "that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women...." He vehemently states that such behaviors exist among all races: "There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man living who has never looked upon a woman without desire."

How is Atticus's closing statement in defense of Tom Robinson also an attack upon racism?

Mr. Gilmer's cross-examination of Tom Robinson was rather harsh and insulting. His strategy was to avoid talking about evidence and not ask questions relevant to Tom's testimony. He spoke rudely, sarcastically, and condescendingly to Tom.

How would you describe Mr. Gilmer's cross-examination of Tom Robinson? What is his strategy? What is his tone?

Before Scout leaves for the pageant, Aunt Alexandra has a sudden feeling of anxiety. She stops short in the middle of a sentence. When Scout asks her what is wrong, she comes to her senses and shrugs it off: "Oh nothing...somebody just walked over my grave." It is as if Aunt Alexandra sensed that something bad was about to happen. In the final paragraph, Scout explains that since neither Atticus nor Alexandra can take her to the pageant, Jem will escort her. She says, "Thus began our longest journey together," ominously hinting that the evening will prove to be a dramatic one for the two of them.

Identify at least two instances of foreshadowing in the final four paragraphs of the chapter.

Jem is struggling with the disillusionment and loss of innocence that comes with knowledge and maturity, a major theme in To Kill a Mockingbird. Like a caterpillar safe in its cocoon, he had always felt safe among the people of Maycomb. Now, in the wake of the trial and its outcome, he realizes that evil and injustice exist in the town and that many of his neighbors are not the good, moral people he had previously thought they were. Essentially, his childlike illusions about Maycomb and its people have been shattered. "It's like bein' a caterpillar in a cocoon...Like somethin' asleep wrapped up in a warm place. I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, least that's what they seemed like." The caterpillar in the cocoon symbolizes a child in the state of innocence. Like the caterpillar, the child must emerge from that state as he or she matures. Throughout the novel, Jem has been transitioning from childhood to adulthood.

JEM uses the metaphor of a caterpillar in a cocoon to describe his feelings. According to him, in what way is he like a caterpillar in a cocoon? What feeling is he struggling with, and how does it relate to the trial and the town of Maycomb? What does the caterpillar symbolize?

According to Atticus, it is the courtroom: "...there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president. That institution, gentlemen, is a court...in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal."

Near the end of his closing statement, Atticus references the maxim, "All men are created equal." According to him, what is the one institution in which this maxim is true?

Scout says she knows that Aunt Alexandra does not like her, and she does not care. She also knows that she is not a problem to Atticus, so that cruel remark did not bother her. What upset her was that Aunt Alexandra had called Walter Cunningham "trash."

Scout explains to Jem what Aunt Alexandra said that caused her to cry. What was it that upset her more than anything else?

They had been cruel, insensitive, and blatantly racist. According to Scout, "To Maycomb, Tom's death was typical. Typical of a ****** to cut and run. Typical of a ******'s mentality to have no plan, no thought for the future, just run blind first chance he saw."

Scout recalls what people in Maycomb had said in the days following Tom's death. What had been the general attitude of the townspeople when they heard the news?

Jem is obviously shocked and bewildered. He had been certain that the jury would not convict Tom. As the judge polls the jury members and each states, "guilty," Scout looks over at her brother: "...his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each 'guilty' was a separate stab between them." Atticus is calm, professional, and businesslike. Inside, he may feel as much anger and disappointment as Jem does, but he is able to conceal it. Additionally, he knew the case was virtually un winnable before the trial even began, so the verdict most likely comes as no surprise to him. He coolly collects his papers, picks up his briefcase, whispers something to Tom Robinson, acknowledges the court reporter and Mr. Gilmer, and leaves the courtroom.

The novel's climax occurs when the jury gives its verdict. How does Jem react to the verdict? How does Atticus react?

Mr. Underwood compared Tom's death to "the senseless slaughter of songbirds." The metaphor is an obvious reference to the book's title, To Kill a Mockingbird, and emphasizes one of the novel's major themes: the merciless destruction of innocent creatures caused by the cruel and thoughtless actions of others.

To what did Mr. Underwood's editorial compare Tom's death? What is the significance of his comparison?

She says it would be like "shootin' a mockingbird." Her words once again emphasize the theme of the destruction of innocence. To expose Boo Radley to publicity would be a sin, just as Mr. Tate had said—a thoughtless and destructive act inflicted on a harmless creature.

To what does Scout compare Boo's exposure? Explain her meaning.

The class discusses Adolf Hitler and his persecution of the Jews. According to Miss Gates, the difference between America and Germany is that "We are a democracy and Germany is a dictatorship...Over here we don't believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution comes from people who are prejudiced."

What do the children talk about in current events period? According to Miss Gates, what is the difference between America and Germany?

Answers may vary, but most students should realize that Atticus is likely telling Tom that they will appeal the case. This had been Atticus's plan from the beginning, as he knew that the case would be unwinnable the first time.

What do you think Atticus whispers to Tom Robinson just before he leaves the courtroom?

Atticus has just been telling Jem that many white people cheat black people every day. In saying, "one of these days we're going to pay the bill for it," he means that sooner or later the white population will have to pay for the mounting injustices it has committed against the black population.

What does Atticus mean when he says, "...it's all adding up and one of these days we're going to pay the bill for it"? To what is he referring?

Boo probably emerged when he heard Jem yell. According to Scout, Jem had yelled "loud enough to wake the dead—."

When do you suppose Boo Radley came out of his house?

Boo Radley killed Bob Ewell to save Jem and Scout. Tate believes that justice has been done. As he explains, "There's a black boy dead for no reason, and the man responsible for it's dead. Let the dead bury the dead this time, Mr. Finch." Moreover, Tate knows that if the truth were to come out, Boo Radley would be treated like a hero by the townspeople, the last thing a shy recluse like him would want: "All the ladies in Maycomb includin' my wife'd be knocking on his door bringing angel food cakes... taking the one man who's done you and this town a great service an' draggin' him with his shy ways into the limelight—to me, that's a sin."

Who killed Bob Ewell? Why does Tate decide to keep this information from the public?

Answers may vary. Example: Tom may have been trying to escape because he believed he had no chance of attaining freedom any other way. However, it also could be argued that Tom ran for the fence knowing that he would not make it. His hopelessness and despair may have been so great that he wished to die. This would explain why he did not stop even when the guards warned that they would shoot.

Why do you think Tom ran for the fence? Why did he keep running even when the guards warned that they would shoot?

Dill began to cry because he was is very upset by the disrespectful way that Mr. Gilmer has been treating Tom.

Why does Dill begin to cry?

Jem is trying to forget the ugly side of humanity that he witnessed during the trial. He screams at Scout, "I never wanta hear about that courthouse again, ever...." The trial was a very traumatic experience for him, and he is still trying to deal with the disillusionment he suffered as a result of it. As Atticus states in the last paragraph of the chapter, "Jem was trying hard to forget something, but what he was really doing was storing it away for a while, until enough time passed. Then he would be able to think about it and sort things out."

Why does Jem react violently when Scout talks about what she overheard at the courthouse?

Scout's series of flashbacks begins with the line, "Daylight...in my mind, the night faded." She remembers several scenes from the past two years that the reader will remember as well: She and Jem running to meet Atticus on his way home from work; Jem carrying a fishing pole on the day they tried to send a note to Boo Radley; she, Jem, and Dill acting out their play about the Radley family; the day they found the gifts in the oak tree; the night of the fire that destroyed Miss Maudie's house; Atticus shooting the rabid dog. Her last flashback brings the reader back to the present: "Summer, and he watched his children's heart break. Autumn again, and Boo's children needed him." Scout is seeing things from Boo Radley's perspective for the first time. By standing on the porch in front of the shuttered window, she deliberately places herself in Boo's shoes and recalls all of the events of the past two years as if she is seeing them the way he would have seen them. She realizes that Boo had been a friend to her and Jem all along, had gotten to know them without them even realizing it, and that perhaps he came to think of them as "his children."

As Scout stands on the Radleys' front porch, she flashes back to a number of scenes from the previous two years. Summarize these flashbacks. What is the significance of Scout's remembering these scenes while standing on Boo's porch?

Scout is once again remembering the day that the rabid dog stalked down the street, terrifying the neighborhood. She is comparing the fear, anxiety, and apprehension in the air that day to the current atmosphere in the courtroom. Significantly, this is the second time that Scout has recalled the scene with the mad dog. The first occurred as she was dropping off to sleep the night that Atticus was threatened by the angry mob. The presence of evil connected with the mad dog and the deserted street is felt in the courtroom. In both instances, the mood is one of anxiety and dread. Everyone is silently waiting, as if something terrible is about to happen. Students may recall that the mad dog represented the evil that exists in Maycomb, specifically the racism of the town. In that scene, the evil was implied through the use of symbolism. In the present scene, however, the evil in Maycomb is no longer hidden or latent. The trial has brought it out into the open; it can no longer be denied or ignored.

As everyone waits for the verdict, a certain impression creeps into Scout's mind. What is she remembering? What is the significance of the impression?

Dill says he will be a clown when he grows up. Watching the absurd behavior of the gossiping adults brings him to this cynical decision. He explains, "There ain't one thing in this world I can do about folks except laugh, so I'm gonna join the circus and laugh my head off."

As the children watch the neighbors gossip, Dill makes a declaration about what he will be when he grows up. What does he say, and what are his reasons?

Jem cynically decides that Boo Radley stays in his house because he does not want to come out. He comes to this conclusion because he is frustrated and disillusioned by the way people treat one another: "If there's just one kind of folks, why can't they get along with each other? If they're all alike, why do they go out of their way to despise each other?...I'm beginning to understand why Boo Radley's stayed shut up in the house all this time...it's because he wants to stay inside."

At the end of the chapter, what conclusion does Jem draw about Boo Radley? What leads him to this conclusion?

He says that one of the jurors held out for a long time. In fact, this juror had been "rarin' for an outright acquittal." This is surprising in itself, but even more shocking is the fact that this juror was of the Cunningham clan, many of whom were among the angry mob at the jail on the night of the thwarted lynching. Atticus tells Jem that once a person earns the respect of a Cunningham, the whole clan becomes fiercely loyal to that person. He adds that when the Cunninghams left the jail that night, he had a feeling that they left with a great degree of respect for the Finch family. Notably, if there had been just one more juror to hold out like the Cunningham man did, the trial would have ended with a hung jury.

Atticus says that the fact that the jury took so long to reach a verdict may indicate "the shadow of a beginning." What does he tell Jem and Scout about one of the jurors?

When Helen saw Atticus in her yard, she seemed to know what had happened even before he told her. According to Dill, she said hello to Atticus and then suddenly collapsed: "...she just fell down in the dirt...like a giant with a big foot just came along and stepped on her... Like you'd step on an ant." Students should note that Dill's simile parallels the incident with the roly-poly bug. Helen Robinson is another defenseless victim of the cruelty and injustice caused by others.

Dill had been present when Atticus went to tell Helen Robinson the news of her husband's death. Summarize what happened at Helen's house, according to Dill. How did she take the news?

He means that the trial will reveal the true nature of Maycomb, bringing to light the destructive racism that is normally hidden beneath the surface.

Dolphus Raymond tells Scout, "You haven't even seen this town, but all you gotta do is step back inside the courthouse." What does he mean by this statement? How will Scout see what her town is truly like simply by stepping back into the courthouse?

Atticus unbuttons his vest and collar, loosens his tie, and takes off his coat. According to Scout, "He never loosened a scrap of his clothing until he undressed at bedtime, and to Jem and me, this was the equivalent of him standing before us stark naked." Answers may vary about why Atticus does this. Example: He wants to remind the jury that he is a regular person just like they are; that he is speaking personally to them as a fellow Maycomb citizen. By loosening his clothing and removing his coat, he loses some of his formality. This is supported by the fact that his tone of voice becomes less formal as well. As Scout notes, "His voice had lost its aridity, its detachment, and he was talking to the jury as if they were folks on the post office corner."

During his closing argument, Atticus pauses and does something that astonishes Scout and Jem. What does he do? Why do you think he does it?

Miss Maudie tries to make Alexandra view the situation in a different light: "Have you ever thought of it this way, Alexandra? Whether Maycomb knows it or not, we're paying the highest tribute we can pay a man. We trust him to do right. It's that simple." When Alexandra asks her who she means by "we," Miss Maudie replies, "The handful of people in this town who say that fair play is not marked White Only; the handful of people who say a fair trial is for everybody, not just us; the handful of people with enough humility to think, when they look at a Negro, there but for the Lord's kindness am I...The handful of people in this town with background, that's who they are." The repetition of the phrase "the handful of people" throughout Miss Maudie's speech is an example of anaphora. The use of anaphora emphasizes Miss Maudie's main point: Although many of Maycomb's citizens are racist, there is a small but powerful group of people who are not. These people are Atticus's supporters, and they look upon him with deep respect and gratitude for the job he does.

How does Miss Maudie reply to Alexandra's question? What literary device does the author use in the second part of Miss Maudie's response?

She notes how pale he is. His hands are "sickly white...so white they stood out garishly against the dull cream wall...." His face is just as white as his hands, and his eyes are so colorless that Scout thinks he may be blind. He is also extremely thin. His cheeks are hollow, his mouth is wide, and there are shallow indentations at his temples. It is obvious that he is undernourished and has not seen the sun in years. When Scout realizes who saved her and Jem, she is overcome with emotion. As she looks at Boo, she suddenly starts crying, his image blurring with her tears. "Hey, Boo," she says to him.

How does Scout describe Boo Radley? How does she react when she finally realizes that it was Boo who saved her and Jem?

Scout feels a little guilty about the they treated Boo: "I sometimes felt a twinge of remorse, when passing by the old place, at ever having taken part in what must have been sheer torment to Arthur Radley—what reasonable recluse wants children peeping through his shutters, delivering greetings on the end of a fishing-pole, wandering in his collards at night?" She still looks for Boo every time she passes the Radley house, even expressing to Atticus one evening her desire "just to have one good look at Boo Radley" before she dies. She imagines how that moment would be: "...he'd just be sitting in the swing when I came along. 'Hidy do, Mr. Arthur,' I would say, as if I had said it every afternoon of my life. 'Evening, Jean Louise,' he would say, as if he had said it every afternoon of my life...."

How does Scout feel about the way she, Jem, and Dill once treated Boo Radley? What are her thoughts about him now?

In Chapter Twenty-Six, Scout had fantasized about finally seeing Boo Radley one day. She imagined that he would be sitting on his porch when she passed by his house, and they would exchange greetings as if they had done so every afternoon of their lives. Now, she has indeed met Boo Radley face to face for the first time. She leads him out to the Finches' front porch, and they sit together amiably, while Atticus and Heck Tate discuss matters. She thinks to herself, "My small fantasy about him was alive again: he would be sitting on the porch... right pretty spell we're having, isn't it, Mr. Arthur?"

How has Scout's "small fantasy" about Boo Radley come true in this chapter?

If he is found guilty on appeal, Tom will be sentenced to death. This is because rape is a capital offense in Alabama, carrying a punishment of either death or twenty years to life. As Jem notes, the jury could have given Tom a lighter sentence, but the racial nature of the case provoked them to give the severest punishment possible. As Atticus explains, "Tom Robinson's a colored man, Jem. No jury in this part of the world's going to say, 'We think you're guilty, but not very,' on a charge like that."

If Tom is found guilty on appeal, what will his punishment be? Why?

Boo Radley is timid and unsure of himself. His movements evoke that of a baby: "Every move he made was uncertain, as if he were not sure his hands and feet could make proper contact with the things he touched." When he looks at Jem, he has an expression of "timid curiosity ...as though he had never seen a boy before." Scout notes that his voice is like that of a "child afraid of the dark." Answers may vary. Example: Boo's childlike behavior can be interpreted on two levels. He is literally like a child in a grown man's body because he has been closed off from the outside world since his adolescence. Lacking communication and stimulation for decades, it is as if he stopped developing the day his father initially locked him in the house. On a symbolic level, Boo's childlike nature further emphasizes the idea the he is the embodiment of innocence itself.

In what ways is Boo Radley like a child, according to Scout's description of him in this chapter? What is the significance of his childlike behavior?

Jem begins by saying he knows Tom's punishment is not right, but he cannot pinpoint exactly what is wrong. He offers that maybe rape should not be a capital offense in the first place. Atticus responds by saying he has no problem with the rape statute, but he does have "deep misgivings when the state ask[s] for and the jury [gives] a death penalty on purely circumstantial evidence." He says that, before a person is sentenced to death, there should be eyewitnesses who can testify that they saw the person commit the crime. In the absence of that, there is always "the shadow of a doubt...the possibility, no matter how improbable, that he's innocent." Jem observes that it all goes back to the jury for condemning a man on mere circumstantial evidence. He concludes that the system should "do away with juries." Atticus disagrees, offering what he believes is a better way: "Change the law. Change it so that only judges have the power of fixing the penalty in capital cases."

Jem and Atticus converse about some of the obvious problems with the legal system. Briefly summarize their discussion. What are Jem's major points, and how does Atticus address them?

Mrs. Merriweather is talking about Maycomb's black community and the after-effects of Tom Robinson's trial. She is stating that once the black community realizes that the white population has forgiven them, then the disruption caused by the trial will cease to exist, and everything will return to normal. Her statement is obviously ironic. In her ignorance, which is shared by many of the whites in Maycomb, she believes that the black community is in need of forgiveness from the white community for the trial and its aftermath. Just the opposite is true. The trial and conviction of Tom Robinson was a travesty of justice, brought about by the racism of the town's white population. Clearly, if one group of people is in need of forgiveness for committing a moral wrong against the other, it is Maycomb's white community that must seek forgiveness from the black community.

Mrs. Merriweather says, "If we just let them know we forgive' em, that we've forgotten it, then this whole thing'll blow over." Who and what is she talking about? What is ironic about her statement?

Maycomb's black community sent the food to show Atticus appreciation for his defense of Tom Robinson. As Calpurnia tells him, "[The food] was all 'round the back steps when I got here this morning. They—they 'preciate what you did, Mr. Finch." Atticus becomes emotional for the first time. His eyes fill with tears, and he is unable to speak for a moment. He tells Calpurnia to express his gratitude to those who brought the food. In a voice obviously filled with emotion, he adds, "Tell them—tell them they must never do this again. Times are too hard...."

On the morning after the trial, the kitchen table in the Finch household is "loaded with enough food to bury the family."

Consequently, their childhood superstitions about Boo Radley have diminished. The real world, including the dramatic trial, Tom Robinson's death, and Bob Ewell's threats, has proven far more frightening than anything they could have imagined in their made-up stories about Boo. As Scout says later in the chapter, "So many things had happened to us, Boo Radley was the least of our fears."

Scout says that the Radley place had ceased to terrify her. Why?

Incident #1: Bob Ewell got a job with the WPA but was fired for laziness in a matter of days. Shortly thereafter, he was heard to have accused Atticus of "getting his job." Incident #2: Someone tried to break into Judge Taylor's house one evening. The judge had gone to let his dog out when he noticed that the screen door on his back porch had been opened. It seems likely that Bob Ewell was behind the break-in. Incident #3: Mr. Link Deas had given Helen Robinson a job. To get to work, she would walk a mile out of her way to avoid the bullying of the Ewells. When Mr. Deas found out about it, he demanded that the Ewells leave her alone. However, the next morning, Bob Ewell stalked her and terrorized her as she made her way to work: "All the way...she heard a soft voice behind her, crooning foul words." Mr. Deas confronted Ewell again and threatened to have him arrested for assault if he continued to bully Helen.

Scout states that three unusual things had happened in Maycomb by the middle of October. Briefly summarize these three incidents.

.Jem thinks that Tom Robinson will be found not guilty. He earnestly believes that the jury cannot decide otherwise because the evidence is so clear. He excitedly tells his sister, "...we're gonna win, Scout. I don't see how we can't." Students' opinions will vary. Example: Jem may be right. Atticus has made a powerful case for Tom's innocence. The fact that Tom's left hand is completely useless stronglysupports the idea that he could not have caused the injuries to the right side of Mayella's face. Additionally, it is clear that one or both of the Ewells lied during their testimony, since their stories conflict with one another. Tom's version of the incident seems to make the most sense. His testimony corroborates the physical evidence, and he appears to speak truthfully about everything that happened, including his reason for running away.Some students might think that Jem's prediction is wrong. The inherent racism of Maycomb is a major factor in the trial. The jury, which is composed of Maycomb County residents, might decide the case based on their prejudices rather than on an objective review of the evidence. Even Atticus himself had said that the case was unwinnable. In Chapter Nine, he told Uncle Jack that the jury could not possibly be expected to take the word of Tom Robinson, a black man, over that of the Ewells, a white family.

What does Jem think the verdict will be? Do you think he is right? Give reasons for your opinion.

Link says Tom is a good man and never caused any trouble, and this shows that Link is different from the majority of other white people living in Maycomb as he is one of the few who judge people on their actions instead of their skin color.

What does Link Deas say about Tom Robinson, and how does his statement show that he is different from the majority of white people in Maycomb?

Miss Maudie means that Maycomb may be gradually overcoming its racist ideology. As evidence for her hopeful attitude, she notes that people like Judge Taylor and Heck Tate had tried to help Tom. She mentions that Judge Taylor's appointing Atticus to defend Tom was no accident. He gave the job to Atticus because he knew that if anyone could hope to persuade the jury of Tom's innocence, Atticus would be that person. Most importantly, because the jury took so long to decide, it indicates that Atticus indeed was successful in changing the men's attitude a little.

What does Miss Maudie mean when she says, "...we're making a step—it's just a baby step, but it's a step"? What evidence does she use to explain her optimism?

Miss Maudie coldly says to Mrs. Merriweather, "His food doesn't stick going down, does it?" She is referring to the fact that Mrs. Merriweather is happily eating food provided by the Finch household, while simultaneously criticizing Atticus, the head of that very household. Miss Maudie's remark pointedly reveals Mrs. Merriweather's hypocrisy, as well as that of the other ladies at the gathering who share the woman's ignorant sentiments. Aunt Alexandra silently thanks Miss Maudie by giving her what Scout describes as "a look of pure gratitude."

What does Miss Maudie say that silences Mrs. Merriweather? How does Aunt Alexandra show her appreciation to Miss Maudie for her defense of Atticus? Miss Maudie coldly says to Mrs. Merriweather, "His food doesn't stick going down, does it?"

He says that he has never seen "any jury decide in favor of a colored man over a white man."

What does Reverend Sykes say about his experiences in court?

Tom's running away from the Ewell house would make him appear guilty, but he had no other choice. Essentially, Tom was trapped, and knew that no matter what he did, he still would have been in trouble.

What does Tom's running away from the Ewell house suggest? What else could he have done?

He says that most people are nice "when you finally see them." His final statement highlights one of the novel's major themes: Despite its capacity for evil, humanity also has a tremendous capacity for good.

What is Atticus's final statement about people? What theme does this statement highlight?

In previous years, the kids in the neighborhood had been free to do what they wanted on Halloween. However, this year the parents have organized a pageant to keep the children out of trouble. This decision was prompted by the events of the previous Halloween, when the children played a prank on Misses Tutti and Frutti Barber, two old ladies who lived in the neighborhood.

What is different about Halloween this year? Why?

She remembers Atticus's lesson about standing in someone else's shoes in order to understand them, one of the novel's major themes: "Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough." By allowing herself to see the world from another person's perspective, Scout finally grasps Atticus's lesson: that sympathy, compassion, and understanding are among the greatest virtues. The scene also demonstrates that, like Jem, Scout has matured over the course of the novel.

What lesson of Atticus's comes to Scout's mind as she reminisces on the Radley porch? What is the significance of her realization?

Jem is undergoing several physical changes as he matures. Scout notices that his eyebrows have become heavier, his body is slimmer, and he is growing taller. When he brings Scout into his room, he lifts his shirt to show her the beginnings of hair growth on his chest. He adds that he has hair under his arms now, too.

What physical signs indicate that Jem is growing up? For example, what does he show to Scout when he brings her into his room?

According to Stephanie Crawford, Mr. Ewell said that Tom's death "made one down and about two more to go." This remark implies that Ewell is seeking revenge upon two or more people. The remark is open to interpretation, as he could be referring to a number of people. Examples: his own daughter, Jem and Scout, Atticus, Judge Taylor, members of Tom's family, or other members of the black community.

What remark did Mr. Ewell make upon hearing of Tom's death? What is the significance of the remark?

At first, Scout wondered how Tom's death could be characterized as a senseless killing: "Tom had been given due process of law to the day of his death; he had been tried openly and convicted by twelve good men and true; my father had fought for him all the way." She later realized what Mr. Underwood had meant. Tom Robinson had received no justice at all; the trial and conviction had been a travesty. Ultimately, Tom's death was caused by Maycomb's racism: "Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men's hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed."

What was Scout initially confused about when she read the editorial? What ultimately became clear to her upon later reflection?

Scout plans to invite Walter Cunningham home for dinner. She even mentions that maybe he can stay over sometimes after school. Aunt Alexandra once again shows her intolerance for people whom she believes are lower in class than the Finches. She begins by saying that the Cunninghams are good folks but "not our kind of folks." After much questioning by Scout about why she cannot play with Walter Cunningham, Alexandra finally reveals the depth of her prejudice and narrow-mindedness: "I'll tell you why...Because—he—is—trash, that's why you can't play with him. I'll not have you around him, picking up his habits and learning Lord-knows-what. You're enough of a problem to your father as it is."

When Scout learns about the Cunningham juror, what does she declare she will do as soon as school starts? What is Aunt Alexandra's response?

When Tom Robinson takes the oath, Tom is unable to lift his left hand to place it on the Bible. This helps Atticus's case that Tom wouldn't have been the one to hit Mayella since it is obvious that he cannot use his left hand at all.

When Tom Robinson takes the oath, what is made clear about his left hand? How does this help Atticus's case?

After Tom admits that he felt sorry for Mayella Ewell, Gilmer is outraged, offended and shocked by it. The majority of people in the courtroom looked at this statement to be contrary to the entire racist social order of the town based on their belief that blacks are inferior.

When Tom admits that he felt sorry for Mayella Ewell, what is Gilmer's reaction? What is the reaction of the majority of white people in the courtroom?

As the jurors file in, Scout notes, "A jury never looks at a defendant it has convicted, and when this jury came in, not one of them looked at Tom Robinson." This signifies to Scout that the jury has found Tom Robinson guilty.

When the jury comes in, what does Scout notice about the jurors' behavior? According to her, what does their behavior signify?

Mayella had sent the other children to town for some ice cream, which suggests that she wanted them out of the house because she wished to be alone with Tom.

Where were the other Ewell children on that day? What does this fact suggest about Mayella's motives concerning Tom?

Atticus mistakenly thinks that Jem killed Bob Ewell: "You heard what Scout said, there's no doubt about it. She said Jem got up and yanked him off her—he probably got hold of Ewell's knife somehow in the dark...." Atticus does not want the information covered up because he does not want his son to have to live a lie. In Atticus's mind, if they were to cover up the crime, Jem would have to grow up with it hovering over him: "I don't want anybody saying, 'Jem Finch...his daddy paid a mint to get him out of that.'" More importantly, Atticus would be a hypocrite and would lose the respect of his children: "...if I connived at something like this, frankly I couldn't meet [Jem's] eye, and the day I can't do that I'll know I've lost him. I don't want to lose him and Scout, because they're all I've got."

Who does Atticus think killed Bob Ewell? Why does he not want it covered up?

He wants to give the townspeople a reason to "latch onto" regarding his choice of lifestyle, so he pretends that he is an alcoholic: "When I come to town...if I weave a little and drink out of this sack, folks can say Dolphus Raymond's in the clutches of whiskey—that's why he won't change his ways. He can't help himself, that's why he lives the way he does." Scout admits that she probably should not be listening to "this sinful man who had mixed children and didn't care who knew it." However, she finds Dolphus Raymond fascinating. She tells the reader, "I had never encountered a being who deliberately perpetrated fraud against himself."

Why does Dolphus Raymond drink Coca-Cola and pretend it is liquor? What does Scout think of him and the reasons his gives for his behavior?

Scout's experience among the gossipy, two-faced ladies of the missionary circle is confusing and a little upsetting. She is mystified by the world of women and feels much more at home in her father's world. As she explains, "People like Mr. Heck Tate did not trap you with innocent questions to make fun of you; even Jem was not highly critical unless you said something stupid...There was something about [men], no matter how much they cussed and drank and gambled and chewed...there was something about them that I instinctively liked...they weren't—" As Scout is about to say what men are not, Mrs. Merriweather unwittingly and ironically interrupts her thoughts with the perfect word: "Hypocrites...born hypocrites...."

Why does Scout prefer the company of men as opposed to that of women?

He thinks the jury will decide the case based on the evidence, not on its prejudices. As he tells Reverend Sykes, "...don't fret, we've won it...Don't see how any jury could convict on what we heard—."

Why is Jem certain that Tom Robinson will be acquitted?

Scout has heard Miss Gates speak hatefully of black people. She tells Jem that she overheard Miss Gates speaking to Stephanie Crawford on the night of Tom Robinson's trial: "I heard her say it's time somebody taught 'em a lesson, they were gettin' way above themselves, an' the next thing they think they can do is marry us." Scout then asks, "Jem how can you hate Hitler so bad an' then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home—." Like Mrs. Merriweather and the other ladies in the missionary circle, Miss Gates is a hypocrite. She is outraged at the persecution of the Jews in Germany, yet she refuses to acknowledge the persecution of blacks in her own country. Moreover, she protests against prejudice to her students, yet her remarks to Stephanie Crawford demonstrate that she herself is a racist.

Why is Scout surprised that her teacher hates Hitler? How is Miss Gates similar in this regard to the ladies in the missionary circle from Chapter Twenty-Four?