Chapter 22 - TKAM

Mickaela Noonan

May 28, 2010

Block F

To Kill A Mockingbird

Chapter 22

Summary:
At the beginning of chapter 22, Jem is crying because he is upset about Tom Robinson being determined guilty. Jem and Scout then meet Atticus outside the courthouse and walk home together. When they get home, Aunt Alexandra is sympathetic when talking to Atticus, a side of her that is not usually seen. Unfortunately, Aunt Alexandra soon goes back to her normal self and begins to lecture Atticus on how the children should not have been in the courtroom. In the morning, the family awakes to find a ridiculous amount of food sent over from supporters of Tom Robinson. This is there way of thanking Atticus for the food. Even though he may not have won, they still appreciate him fighting for them. Atticus appreciates the food, but says that he never wants people to do this again because “times are too hard…”(Lee 286). After Atticus heads to town, Dill arrives and tells everyone of Miss. Rachel’s reaction, which was “if a man like Atticus Finch wants to butt his head against a stone wall it’s his head”(Lee 286). He also tells them about Miss. Rachel’s drinking problem. The children then go outside and find Mr. Avery, Miss Stephanie, and Miss. Maudie having an argument about the trial. Miss Maudie calls Jem, Scout, and Dill over for some cakes that she made especially for them. Miss. Maudie then gives Jem a talk about how not things are never as bad as they seem and his father is one of the men that will do the unpleasant jobs for other people. She tells Jem that they are the safest people and the trial happened for a reason, that it was a baby-step toward the greater picture. Jem speaks of becoming a Christian lawyer and Dill jokes of being a clown because all he can do about people is laugh. As they’re walking home, Miss. Rachel and Miss. Stephanie call the children over and tell them to get in the house. Mr. Avery informs them that Mr. Ewell spit in Atticus’s face while he was in town and said he was going to come for him.

Major Changes and Developments:
In this chapter we yet again see Jem becoming more mature. It is able to be seen when he cries with sympathy and sadness over the ruling of Tom Robinson. This can also be seen when he is talking to Miss. Maudie about how he thought that the people of Maycomb were the safest people in the world. We also find out about Miss. Rachel’s drinking problem. In the beginning of the chapter, we can see Atticus once again becoming more aquaintanced with the black community when they all send over food for him. For once, we see Aunt Alexandra showing some sympathy and kindness for Atticus when she finds out that he has lost the case.

Significant Quotations:
“…if a man like Atticus Finch wants to butt his head against a stone wall it’s his head”(Lee 286). This quote is said by Dill when he is explaining Miss. Rachel’s reaction to the charge of Tom Robinson. This quote is significant because it shows how much the odds were against Atticus in the first place and how everyone knew that the odds were against him.
“’It’s like bein’ a caterpillar in a cocoon, that’s what it is, he said. ‘Like somethin’ asleep wrapped in a warm place. I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, least that’s what they seemed like.’”(Lee 288). This quote is said by Jem when he is talking to Miss. Maudie about his reaction to the news. This shows how separated the children in the town are from the rest of the world. Jem never could have imagined that people would accuse someone of such an awful crime because of his color. He never would have thought that people in Maycomb and around Maycomb could ever be that evil.

Literary Elements:
In this chapter, there is some foreshadowing at the end when Miss. Stephanie warns the children about Mr. Ewell spitting in Atticus’s face. This foreshadows what is sure to happen later on in the book.

Vocabulary:
Impassive - adjective, without emotion
Rabbit-bites - noun, small bites
Heathen - adjective, irreligious

Critical Thinking Questions:
Why do you think Miss. Rachel reacted sourly to Atticus’s defending Tom Robinson? Do you think she really meant it?
Do you think things with Miss. Maudie will really go back to the way things were or do you think that their relationship will be muddled?
What do you think is going to happen between Mr. Ewell and Atticus? How do you think this will affect the feelings of others in town?

Chapter 21: Katie Ernst

Plot Summary

The chapter begins when Scout, Jem, and Dill are sitting in the black balcony at the trial and Calpurnia walks up the aisle and hands Atticus a note saying his children are missing. Atticus demanded they come down from the balcony and they met downstairs where Atticus agreed to let them come back if they went home and ate their supper slowly. However Calpurnia and Aunt Alexandria both agreed that it was not appropriate for the kids to be at the trial. Dill joined them for dinner and when they finished and returned to the court house nothing had changed. Scout had a bad feeling, and Tate called the court to order and walked Tom Robinson back in next to Atticus. Judge Taylor polled the jury and the unanimously voted that Tom was guilty and Atticus left the court immediately after.

Major Changes or Development

Scout becomes more mature during this chapter. Being in court she learns how to compose herself and is really able to follow along with what is taking place. She is asking questions if there is anything she doesn’t understand because she is mature enough to want to be involved. The main conflicts are the differences in opinions to whether the children should have been at the trail. Atticus isn’t thrilled with the idea but he does not oppose it, nor does he see the harm. However Calpurnia and Aunt Alexandria are horrified at the idea. Even the reverend commented on it. The society as a whole didn’t think it was appropriate, and frowned upon Atticus for allowing them to be there, and return. This conflict is not resolved in the chapter but Atticus doesn’t particularly care about what other people think of his parenting.

Significant Quotations

“’You think they will acquit him that fast?’ asked Jem. Atticus opened his mouth to answer, but then shut it and left us.” Page 277

This quotation occurs after Atticus tells them how he expects the trial will be over by the time they returned and Scout interpret this the wrong way and think Atticus is trying to say he will win. Therefore, Jem asks if he thinks they will acquit him that fast and Atticus doesn’t reply. This portrays that Atticus truly knows his chances of winning are very low because Tom is black. It also expresses what little faith he has in the decision making of the jury. However, Atticus does not want to admit to his children that there is little hope.

“I shut my eyes. Judge Taylor was polling the jury: ‘Guilty…guilty…guilty…guilty” Page 282

This is when the jury unanimously finds Tom Robinson guilty of rape. It is a very important quote because it means that their troubles are not over and Atticus is going to have to keep working for him. It foreshadows that there will be and appeal ad it also expresses the shallowness of the jury. The jury deep down knew Tom didn’t commit the crime, but because Maycomb is so racist the facts didn’t matter to them, only the color of skin.

Literary Element: foreshadowing

In church before the say their verdict Scout describes how she is having a sour feeling, like a cold February morning when everything is silent and houses are locked up tight. This foreshadows that something bad is going to happen and the Atticus and Tom will not win the case.

Vocabulary

Acquit- to relieve from a charge of fault or crime; declare not guilty

Biblical- in accord with the Bible

Preliminary- preceding and leading up to the main part, matter, or business; introductory

Critical Thinking

Do you think if the jury consisted of more of the higher class members of the society in Maycomb the outcome of the trial would have been different?

After the trial the town gossiped about how Atticus allowed his children to watch the trail. Do you think it was right of Atticus to let them stay? Do you think Atticus cares about how the community judges his parenting?

Chapter 20

TKAM Chapter 20
Summary:
At the end of chapter 19 Dill and Scout go outside because Dill is not feeling to well and has started to cry. Then Mr. Dolphus Raymond came up. Mr. Dolphus Raymond offered Jem a drink from his notorious bag with a straw that everyone thinks is liquor. Dill takes a sip and discovers that it was not liquor in the bag but coca-cola. Dill and Scout have a nice conversation and Mr. Dolphus Raymond explains why he drinks coca-cola and not liquor. He says that he pretends to be drunk to give white people a reason why he lives the way he does. Dill and Jem are fascinated with Mr. Dolphus Raymond and talk to him for a while. Dill and Jem then remember they were missing Mr. Gilmer’s cross examination and go back into the court room. When they enter the courtroom Atticus is giving his speech to the jury. Atticus makes his point by explaining that it is impossible for Tom Robinson to attack Mayella the way she was bruised with a handicapped left arm. Atticus also says that Mayella broke an unwritten code by throwing herself on to a black man, something that is unheard of in Maycomb. Atticus also brings up the point that there was a biased against Tom Robinson going in to this trial. This bias is that black people are immoral and bad people, and are a danger towards women. Towards the end of his speech Atticus has a great ending by saying that all men are created equal. He explains that all men might not be created equal at birth but should all be equals when in court in front of a jury. At the very end of the chapter Dill points out that Calpurnia is walking down the middle of the isle towards Atticus after his speech. Jem and Scout cannot believe there eyes when they see Calpurnia walking towards Atticus.


Major Changes and Development:
Mr. Dolphus Raymond: When Scout and Dill talk to him his character changes from a mean drunk to a nice man who is misunderstood. He is misunderstood because people to not understand his life choices so he covers this up by pretending he has a drinking problem.
Atticus: He changes in Scout and Jem’s mind because he does some things in the courtroom that they rarely see him do. They saw Atticus sweat which could be a sign that he is nervous. They also see him undress to his shirt and unbutton it a little bit. Atticus never does this at home except when he is getting ready to go to bed.

Significant Quotations:
Mr. Dolphus Raymond:
“I try to give `em a reason, you see. It helps folks if they can latch onto a reason. When I come to town, which is seldom, if I weave a little and drink out of this sack, folks can 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.” (268)
This quote shows that Dolphus Raymond really does care about his image, because if he didn’t care he wouldn’t have to drink to give people a reason why he lives the way he does. This quote also shows a lot about Maycomb because being a drunk can be an excuse to live a way which is not respected.
Scout:
“We followed his finger with sinking hearts. Calpurnia was making her way up the middle aisle, walking straight towards Atticus.” (275)
This shows that Calpurnia may be different then Scout and Jem thought. This is because Calpurnia is the last person they would expect to walk down the aisle straight towards Atticus.

Literary Elements:
Stereotypes
This is a motif because it is shown again and again throughout the book and is a major part of Maycomb. Mr. Dolphus Raymond is stereotyped as a drunk who cannot help himself so isn’t questioned about the way he lives. Atticus also brings the stereotypes of a black male in front of the jury.

Vocabulary:
Corroborative: to make more certain; confirm:
Subsequent: adj. Following in time or order; succeeding.

Critical Thinking:
Do you think Mr. Dolphus Raymond faking to be a drunk is worth the reputation it gives him? Or should he not fake being a drunk and live an open life?
What do you think Calpurnia will do once she walks all the way down the aisle and meet up with Atticus?
Do you think Tom Robinson will plead guilty or not?

Pat Killion’s TKAM Chapter 16

Pat Killion’s
TKAM Chapter 16
Review
Plot Summary:

Chapter 16 started out with Scout finally realizing what had happened that night outside of the Maycomb Jail, until a point where she was in tears to be comforted my Jem. Aunt Alexandra and Atticus got into a discussion about how Mr. Underwood despises black people but yet he still defends them, as was an example of how he and a double barrel shotgun were perched in a window in case trouble was to start at Tom Robinson’s cell. They also discussed what should we said in front of Calpurnia and Atticus was quick to say that anything fit to be said at the table is fit to say in front of Calpurnia. Then Jem and Scout questioned why Mr. Cunningham was going to possibly hurt Atticus even though they had always considered him a friend of the family. That is when Atticus said the quote, “… you children last night made Water Cunningham stand in my shoes for a minute.”(Lee210) Referring to how they stood up for Atticus outside the Jail the previous night. We meet a new character in Mr. Dolphus Raymond who had a relationship with a black woman and ended up having several children of a mixed race. Jem describes the mixed children sad because they didn’t belong with anyone, not with white people because they were half black and vice versa. They overhear the court house people discussing the true intent of Atticus during the trial. Then they noticed that Atticus had neither books nor papers of any sort on his table. When Jem, Scout, and Dill finally made it into the courtroom there were no seats remaining so Reverend Sykes managed to get them seats in the Black balcony. They learned that Judge Taylor had the case, and as they sat down, Mr. Heck Tate was on the witness stand and the trial had begun.

Major Changes and Developments

Character Developments:
Atticus: He begins to show signs of Irritation towards Aunt Alexandra
Jem, Scout, and Dill: All three Children begin to understand the extent of the emotions behind the court case that there father is in.
New Characters:
Mr. Dolphus Raymond: Man with children from a relationship with a black women, often drunk due to the horror his life has turned into
Judge Taylor: Judge preceding over Tom Robinson Trial



Significant Quotations

Page 210
“… you children last night made Water Cunningham stand in my shoes for a minute.”
This quote refers to how the children stood up for Atticus outside the Jail the previous night. This quote connects to the main idea of that things are different from all perspectives. This quote reveals that Atticus believes in his case and that he wishes for others to see it like him.

Page 218
“Yeah, but Atticus aims to defend him. That’s what I don’t like about it.”
Some men outside the courtroom were talking about the true intentions of when Atticus took this case. This quote reveals that the common person does not agree with what Atticus is doing in regards to defending Tom Robinson


Literary Elements

Foreshadowing:
The quote on page 218 “Yeah, but Atticus aims to defend him. That’s what I don’t like about it.” This reveals the feeling of the common man and possibly foreshadows the dangerous to come to Atticus and friends.


Vocabulary:

Formidable (213): Arousing fear, dread, or alarm
Litigants (221): (Law) a party to a lawsuit

Critical Thinking

1.) Why does the man outside the courtroom not like how Atticus is aiming to defend Tom Robinson?
2.) Why would Atticus have no books or tablets on his table in the court room?

TKAM Chaptre 15

Summary:
In the beginning of chapter 15 of To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, it describes how the Finch household is more hectic with trial calls for Atticus, Dill’s arrival, and Aunt Alexandra’s demands, and plots to get Boo Radley to come out of his house, “’Dill had hit upon a foolproof plan to make Boo Radley come out at no cost to our selves, ’Place a trail of lemon drops from the back door to the front yard and he’d follow it, like an ant” (Lee 193). Then later next day some men, Mr. Underwood, Mr. Tate, Dr. Reynolds, and Mr. Avery, meet Atticus outside to talk about the Tom Robinson trial. Meanwhile, Jem, Scout, and Dill are eavesdropping on their conversation. After Atticus and them are done with their conversation, Jem asks Atticus about the men, asking if they were a gang or part of the Ku Klux Klan. Atticus tries to push a smile and tells Jem that they weren’t a gang and to not worry. On the next day, Sunday, Atticus meets with Mr. Heck Tate and Mr. Underwood, the sole owner, editor, and printer of The Maycomb Tribune, to get details on Tom Robinson’s moving to the Maycomb jail. That night Atticus drives out to ‘the office’, but actually sits outside the jail. When Aunt Alexandra goes to bed Jem, Scout, and Dill sneak out to go find Atticus. They find him at the jail reading the newspaper, but then four dirty old rustic cars pull up to the jail and more men form a semi-circle around Atticus. Scout, who was hiding with Jem and Dill across the street in the shadows, runs out to Atticus thinking she knows the men, but they are complete strangers. The men demand Atticus to send Scout, Jem, and Dill home, but when Atticus tells the children to leave they resist his orders. So then one of the men try to force Jem to leave, so Scout kicks the man in the place men don’t want to be kicked, ever, to let go of Jem. Then Scout realizes that one of the men is Walter Cunningham Sr. Scout then tries to ease things by making conversation with him. Mr. Cunningham Sr. is trying to be unaffected by her, but as Scout goes on about his son and entailments, he breaks and tells Scout that he’ll say hi to his son for her and tells the men to leave. After the men and Mr. Cunningham Sr. drive off, Tom Robinson asks Atticus from inside the jail if everything is all right. Lastly, Mr. Underwood and his double-barreled shot gun appear from the second floor of The Maycomb Tribune building saying if things got messy he would clean it up with his gun.

Major Changes and Developments:
In this chapter the external conflict that is introduced is how some people want to kill or at least beat Tom Robinson. This conflict is resolved when Scout makes Mr. Cunningham break and leave. Also there is a new conflict is that outside of the trial is starting to get dangerous for the people in it.

Significant Quotations:
One significant quote in this chapter was, “You’re damn tootin’ they won’t. Had you covered all the time, Atticus”-Mr. Underwood (Lee 206). This quote is important because it shows how Atticus isn’t alone in this trial, and has people to rely on for safety. Another important quote is, “’Don’t you touch him!’ I kicked the man swiftly. Barefooted, I was surprised to see him fall back in real pain. I intended to kick his shin, but aimed too high”-Scout (Lee 204). This quote is also important because it shows how far she’ll go to keep her brother safe, and it shows how outgoing she is.

Literary Elements:
One literary element that is described in this chapter is imagery. The imagery is when Scout describes the men and their cars, “…four dusty cars came in from the Meridian highway, moving slowly in a line…and stopped in front of the jail…there was a smell of stale whiskey and pigpen…most of them, in overalls and denim shirts buttoned up to the collars…some wore hats pulled firmly down over their ears”-Scout (Lee 201-204).

Critical Thinking:
1. Why did Jem resist Atticus when he was told to go home?
2. Can you guess Jem’s ‘feeling’ about Atticus when they left to go find him?
3. Why does Atticus take the car?

Summary:

In chapter 14 in the book To Kill a Mockingbird, we see new things beginning to unfold. Scout is becoming more defiant and doesn't like listening to people telling her what to do. Aunt Alexandra moves in and tells Scout she can’t visit Calipurnia. Jem also tells her to not antagonize Aunt Alexandra. This causes scout to attack Jem. Scout is starting to be less obedient in the chapter. After the kids are sent to bed, Scout notices something in her room but can’t see it. She then asks Jem to check under her bed. Jem swings a broom under the bed and ends up finding Dill. He hid under the bed for 2 hours after running away from home because his new father allegedly chains him up in the basement. Jem and Scout get him food and listen to his stories of how he got to the Finches house.

Major changes and development:

Scout begins to be more individual and defiant in this chapter. She sees Jem’s new found responsibility and thinks poorly of it and does not obey him. She also talks back at her aunt who is now living with her. Her aunt is not a new character but she is now closer to Jem, Scout, and Atticus. A new external struggle arises quickly between Scout and aunt Alexandra.

Significant quotations:

“You tryin’ to tell me what to do?”-Scout

Scout is telling Jem not to tell her what to do. She won’t be told what to do and defiantly not by Jem.

“Ain’t so high and mighty now, are you!”-Scout

This is when Scout and Jem are fighting. Scout is at equal with Jem still and this reinforces her disobedience to Jem.

Literary elements:

A motif within the chapter could be growing up. We notice Jem trying to be mature and ahead of others in the family. We also see Scout rebelling and becoming more of a teenager. These things give a sense of evolution of the characters.

Vocabulary:

Hoover cart - A metallic carriage used for transporting people.

Yonder - Over there, there are

Critical thinking:

How does Scouts aging and Jem’s aging correlate?

Why is Aunt Alexandra so against having Calipurnia work for Atticus’ family?