To Kill a MockingbirdChapters 20-23

Chapter Summaries

The Trial Continues…

Racial Themes

Jem’s Development

Closing Remarks

To Kill a MockingbirdChapters 20-23

PLOT SUMMARIES

To Kill a MockingbirdChapters 20-23

THE TRIAL CONTINUES

COURTROOM LINGO – CLOSING ARGUMENT:The lawyer summarizes their argument to the jury and issues a plea for them to act ‘accordingly’.

Lack of medical evidenceUnreliable witnessesOffering of ‘real events’ with Mayella EwellDo not assume all black people are guilty

Jury deliberations… Twelve men must agree on a conviction or an acquittal.Jury takes longer than expectedJury does not look at Tom Robinson upon reentering the courtroom

Ewell represents the racist society but he also connects to Dolphus Raymond, who must act like an alcoholic as an excuse for his actions. Neither

man truly makes any sense.

To Kill a MockingbirdChapters 20-23

RACIAL THEMES

Chapters 20-23 continue to explore racial themes, though Harper Lee attempts to be optimistic. How?

Length of jury deliberation (Ch. 21)Length of jury deliberation (Ch. 21)Judge appointing Atticus as Tom Robinson’s defender (Ch. 22)Judge appointing Atticus as Tom Robinson’s defender (Ch. 22)

The town has taken “a step—it's just a baby-step, but it's a step.” (Miss Maudie, Ch. 22)

The town has taken “a step—it's just a baby-step, but it's a step.” (Miss Maudie, Ch. 22)

At the same time, Bob Ewell begins to harass Atticus and make threats against the Finch family.

He (and Mayella) have been shamed due to the accusations made in the trial.

Cunningham juror wanted to acquit (Ch. 23)Cunningham juror wanted to acquit (Ch. 23)

Therefore, at this point in TKAM, is society racist or is progress being made?

Therefore, at this point in TKAM, is society racist or is progress being made?

To Kill a MockingbirdChapters 20-23

JEM’S DEVELOPMENT

Jem’s character is a focus within these four chapters. Readers see Jem develop into a young man and see his childhood innocence taken away.

Injustice of verdict – Social issuesInjustice of verdict – Social issues

Jem’s loss of innocence (sees hatred in world) causes him to become a mockingbird. His innocent views of justice and the world have been crushed

Jem’s loss of innocence (sees hatred in world) causes him to become a mockingbird. His innocent views of justice and the world have been crushed

Jem somewhat mirrors Dolphus Raymond

Similar reaction to verdictSimilar reaction to verdict

Similar views of ‘shattered’ community:“You haven't seen enough of the world yet. You haven't even seen this town, but all you gotta do is step back inside the courthouse.”

Similar views of ‘shattered’ community:“You haven't seen enough of the world yet. You haven't even seen this town, but all you gotta do is step back inside the courthouse.”

Important for Jem not to believe this view or he will turn sad and cynical. Must embrace Atticus’ optimism.

Important for Jem not to believe this view or he will turn sad and cynical. Must embrace Atticus’ optimism.

To Kill a MockingbirdChapters 20-23

CLOSING REMARKS

Chapters 20-23 summarizes some of the novel’s important themes:

Loss of childhood innocenceLoss of childhood innocence

Racial Inequality / HateRacial Inequality / Hate

Moral BeliefsMoral Beliefs

Optimism for Advancement of SocietyOptimism for Advancement of Society

The children’s characters have developed a great deal throughout the novel:

SCOUT: Learning lessons about people and the world though too young to make a judgment yet.

SCOUT: Learning lessons about people and the world though too young to make a judgment yet. JEM: Has learned lessons and old enough to respond to them, (sometimes in conversation, other times through emotion – link to childhood)

JEM: Has learned lessons and old enough to respond to them, (sometimes in conversation, other times through emotion – link to childhood)

Judgement – Boo Radley: Is he trying to avoid all of this?

Judgement – Boo Radley: Is he trying to avoid all of this?

Have the adult characters developed? Atticus? Bob Ewell? Miss Maudie? Maycomb?