To Kill a Mockingbird

1. To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 21-25

2. Chapter 21 Awaiting the Verdict

3. Kids in Trouble • Calpurnia finds out the kids have been sitting in the balcony all day • Atticus tells them to go home • Jem want to stay to hear the verdict • He believes Atticus is going to win • Atticus makes them go home for dinner • Aunt Alexandra is upset when she finds out where they have been

4. Awaiting the Verdict • They return after they eat; Reverend Sykes has saved their seats • Jem tells Reverend Sykes that he believes Atticus will win based on the evidence that was presented • Reverend Sykes tells Jem that he has never seen a jury decide in favor of a colored man over a white man

5. The Verdict • It takes three hours to reach a verdict (this is unusually long for Maycomb) • The Verdict: guilty • Jem can’t believe the verdict • He is sickened over it • The Negroes in the balcony stand when Atticus is ready to leave to show that they respect him and know he did his best

6. Chapter 22 Trying to Understand

7. Jem’s Belief • Jem cries over the outcome of the trial; • He tells Atticus, “ it ain’t right.” • Jem does not understand how the jury could convict Tom based on the evidence presented in the case

8. Weighing the Evidence • Atticus said he didn’t know but they did; they’ve done it before and they’ll do it again • Atticus will now appeal the case to a higher court

9. Miss Maudie’s Rationale • Miss Maudie tells the children that Atticus was born to do the unpleasant jobs for the rest of us. • Jem asked her "Who helped Tom?" • She replies: the Negro community, Judge Taylor, Atticus, and people like Scout, Jem, Dill, and Miss Maudie • We find out the case should have gone to Maxwell Green the court appointed attorney • Judge Taylor specifically asked Atticus if he would take the case.

10. Threat from Bob Ewell • Bob Ewell spits in Atticus’s face in front of a crowd downtown • This is a threat and a challenge • Atticus does not take him seriously • Should he?

11. Chapter 23 Reactions

12. Fearful for Atticus • Atticus’s reaction to Bob spitting at him was “I wish Bob Ewell wouldn’t chew tobacco.” • Miss Stephanie has a version of what happened • The children are now fearful for their father • Scout believe Atticus needs a gun • This goes against Atticus’s beliefs • passive resistance, non-violence

13. Bob’s Viewpoint • Atticus does not think Bob will do anything • He is too trusting • Atticus tells Jem to look at the situation from Bob Ewell’s shoes (point of view) • Atticus destroyed Bob’s credibility in court • Bob needs to get back at someone • Atticus said he’d rather it be him than Mayella or one of the other Ewell children

14. What’s Next for Tom? • Tom has been moved to Enfield Prison, seventy miles away • What happens if Atticus loses the appeal? • Tom goes to the electric chair or the governor could commute the sentence • Rape is a capital offense in Alabama • The jury sentenced him to death; • Jem argues they could have given him twenty-years

15. Explaining the Verdict • Was his sentence given because of the color of his skin? (black versus white) • Atticus is upset over sentencing based on circumstantial evidence • Atticus explains the jury’s decision • In a case like this, the verdict is usually returned quickly • This one took three hours • Mr. Cunningham originally voted not guilty

16. Jem’s Realization • Jem says he understands why Boo has stayed shut up in his house for all these years; • It is because he wants to

17. Chapter 24 Tea and Tragedy

18. Missionary Ladies Tea • Aunt Alexandra’s Missionary Tea Party • Members present: • Mrs. Grace Merriweather • Miss Stephanie Crawford • Mrs. Gertrude Farrow • Miss Rachel Haverford • Mrs. Perkins • Miss Maudie Atkinson • Aunt Alexandra treats Calpurnia like a servant/slave • She makes Scout wear a dress • Scout has her pants on underneath

19. Hypocrites • They discuss the situation of the Mrunas in Africa • They are all hypocritical • except Maudie • They are willing to send money to help convert the natives in Africa to Christianity • They are unwilling to give any money to help Helen Robinson, a Christian Negro woman in their own town

20. Tragic News • Atticus comes home and talks to Calpurnia • He tells her that he needs her to go with him to tell Helen that Tom is dead • Tom tried to escape • He was shot 17 times as he was going over the fence • Atticus is very upset • He had told Tom they stood a good chance at the appeal • According to Miss Maudie, Maycomb trusts Atticus to do what is right

21. Chapter 25 Affects of Tom’s Death

22. Telling Tom’s Family • Dill and Jem get to go with Atticus (he picks them up as they are walking home) • Helen faints at the news • The town is interested in the news for about two days • They quickly lose interest • not sympathetic

23. Mr. Underwood’s Opinion • Mr. Underwood writes an editorial • He believes it was a sin to kill a cripple • According to Mr. Underwood, 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 from the minute Mayella opened her mouth and screamed” • Atticus still does not think that Bob Ewell poses a threat to him.