Chapter 22
How does Jem react to the verdict? How has he changed as a result?
Jem grew up under atticus’s moral code and rational way of doing things . jem struggles to understand how the jury could come up with an illogical verdict. This is demonstrated when he says ||how could they|| and ||it ain’t right|| this situation has changed jem into a grown up person. He is trying to make up his morals. He is slowly giving up childhood perspective and innocence
At the end of this chapter, Jem forms a new theory about why Boo Radley has never left his house in years. What is this?
After the Finch family discusses the outcome of Tom Robinson’s trial and the racism in Maycomb, Jem comes to the realization that “If there’s just one kind of folks, why can’t they get along with each other? If they’re all alike, [all humans,] why do they go out of their way to despise each other?” (Lee 23.304). This leads Jem to believe that “Boo Radley’s stayed shut up in the house all this time … because he wants to stay inside” (23.304). Jem believes Boo Radley wants to stay inside because Boo does not want to have to deal with the racist, unjust, discriminatory actions and habits of the people of Maycomb County.
How was Tom killed?
Tom was killed after being put in jail because he was found guilty of the rape of Mayella Ewell. During his time in prison, he tried to jump the fence while in the yard and the guards tried to warn him to stop, he did not. The prison guards shot at him at least 17 times.
How does Maycomb react to Tom’s death?
The topic of Tom’s death was gossipped about for the next few days in Maycomb, but surprisingly it very few people made a big deal about this event. On the last page of this chapter, there is a line that says, “Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed”. Once Tom was put on trail, most had concluded that he would lose and die. It was not rare, but quite typical for a black man to get killed in Maycomb. Black people were already thought so low of therefore making the death of a black man almost normal.
Why does Dill say that he will be a clown when he grows up? What does this suggest?
Dill says that he wants to be a clown when he grows up because he thinks that he does not have enough qualifications for any other job. This is shown when he says || there ain’t one thing in this world i can do about folks except laugh, so i am going to join the circus and laughing my head off” this suggests that dill is not currently able to make informed decisions. He does not realize his own abilities yet. He is still living in a childhood phase.
Why does Aunt Alexandra accept that the Cunninghams may be good but are not “our kind of folks”? How does Scout react?
Aunt Alexandra accepts that the Cunninghams may be good but are not “our kind of folks”. She believes they are good people because Mr. Cunningham’s kin did not prejudge Tom Robinson by believing he was guilty of the rape of Mayella Ewell because he is of African-American descent. Mr. Cunningham’s kin wanted to hear the evidence first before making a determination. However, she believes that the Cunninghams are not “our kind of folks” because “you can scrub Walter Cunningham till he shines, you can put him in shoes and a new suit, but he’ll never be like Jem” (Lee 300) “Because-he-is-trash” (Lee 301). This statement shows that the white folks in Maycomb, like Aunt Alexandra, also have discriminatory views on about other white families. Aunt Alexandra believes the Cunninghams are of a lower social class than the Finch family. This Scout reacts by burying his head in Jem’s shoulder and sobbing in fury into his bedroom.
How does Aunt Alexandra show she has changed?
When Aunt Alexandra arrived she wanted nothing but bad things for the African-American folk in the community, however, she defuses the situation because she wants to smooth things over more and try to take the conversation in a less dangerous direction.
What does Mr. Underwood do? How is this significant?
Mr. Underwood published an editorial under the obituary section in The Maycomb Tribune. This editorial talked about how it was “a sin to kill cripples, be they standing, sitting or escaping.” and how this was senseless killing. This could go against what the people of Maycomb think and how Tom deserved to die but according to the book, he could “write whatever he wanted to, and still get his advertising and subscriptions.”Regardless, the significance of this act is tremendous. He compared this “harmless act” to the atrocious act of killing mockingbirds. This could be an event that started the acception of black people as equals.
How do Aunt Alexandra and Atticus differ in their opinions about Bob Ewell? Who is more accurate in this case?
Atticus Finch shows empathy towards Bob Ewell when he says, “Jem, see if you can stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility at that trial, if he had any to begin with. The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does. So, if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I’d rather it be me than the house full of children out there” (Lee 293). Atticus does not fear Bob Ewell. However, Aunt Alexandra believes Mr. Ewell’s threats are legitimate. She says “I wouldn’t be so sure of that Atticus, his kind’d do anything to pay off a grudge. You know how those people are” (293). In my view, Aunt Alexandra’s opinion is more accurate since if Mr. Ewell is capable of beating his own family, showing no remorse, he would certainly be capable of harming Mr. Finch or his family.
Explain how the ladies of the missionary circle prove to be hypocritical.
The ladies prove to be hypocritical because they think that black people are the name of people's existence. They go on to say that some people are misguided because they try to help the African-American folk in the community. The missionary is supposed to be helping people and not criticizing people for whom they relate to.
Comment on how Jem and Scout differ in maturity at this time.
We are shown that Jem possesses more maturity than Scout through his knowledge and consideration of others, specifically family. When Jem and Scout heard the dreadful line Mr. Ewell spouted, “One Down, two to go.”it was Jem that immediately told her not to worry but also made something very evident. It is mentioned in the book that “Jem also told me that if I breathed a work to Atticus… Jem would personally never speak to me again.”This shows that Jem knows his father and even though he is a calm and rational individual, he can get frustrated by injustice and inequality. Jem knows that he could make bad decisions and possibly get hurt. Jem is looking out for his family.
What are two examples of the Mockingbird theme used in this chapter?
The first example of the Mockingbird theme being used in this chapter is when Scout is about to crush a bug under her foot but Jem stops her. He says “Because they don’t bother you” therefore this is just senseless killing. Jem sees this the same way as any living creature, thus he is trying to preserve the life of this insect. He sees pointless killing as just senseless.
The second example of the Mockingbird theme being used in this chapter is when we read part of Mr. Underwood's editorial. It says, “he likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of mockingbirds by hunters and children,” thus showing once again how senseless killing is despised and how the Mockingbird analogy is made.