To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 15-17 English 10 Dr. Good Arleta High School

A Visit from Heck Tate The sheriff, Heck Tate, visits Atticus and tells him that he thinks there will be some trouble when Tom Robinson is moved to the Maycomb County Jail Think/Pair/Share: What do you think could happen to Tom? What is a possibility? Hint: Think about Emmett Till…

A Trip to the Jail On the Sunday before the trial is set to begin, Jem tells Scout that Atticus has gone out. Jem is nervous, and he, Scout, and Dill walk to the town to see where Atticus is. When they reach the town square, the children see Atticus sitting in front of the jail, reading his newspaper by a single light bulb. As the children watch from across the street, they see a group of armed men approach the jail. “You know what we want.” another man said. “Get away from the door, Mr. Finch.” (202)

Scout Saves the Day (or Night) When the children go past the men to Atticus, one of the men treats Jem roughly, and Scout kicks him. She then recognizes Mr. Cunningham, Walter’s father, and begins to talk to him. “Don’t you remember me, Mr. Cunningham? I’m Jean Louise Finch. You brought us some hickory nuts one time, remember?” (205)

Trial Morning The day the trial is to begin, the family is too nervous to eat well. Atticus reveals that Mr. Underwood, the newspaper editor, had been watching the night before, and would have shot the men if they had tried to harm Atticus. Atticus says “You know, it’s a funny thing about Braxton (Underwood). He despises Negroes, won’t have one near him.” (209)

THINK/PAIR/SHARE What does this tell you about the difference between PREJUDICE and JUSTICE?

Reflections on a Mob Jem is still frightened by what happened at the jail. Atticus reassures him: “He might have hurt me a little, but, son, you’ll understand folks a little better when you’re older. A mob’s always made up of people, no matter what. Mr. Cunningham was part of a mob last night, but he was still a man. Every mob in every little Southern town is always made up of people you know…” (210)

THINK/PAIR/SHARE What is Atticus trying to get Jem to understand about the mentality of a mob?

Atticus Gives Advice “That proves something – that a gang of wild animals can be stopped, simply because they’re still human. Hmph…maybe we need a police force of children. You children last night made Walter Cunningham stand in my shoes for a minute. That was enough.” (210)

THINK/PAIR/SHARE What does Atticus mean by “standing in another person’s shoes?”

The Circus Comes to Town Atticus spends the morning picking the jury. After lunch, the children make their way to town. “It was a gala occasion. There was no room at the public hitching rail for another animal, mules and wagons were parked under every available tree. The courthouse square was covered with picnic parties sitting on newspapers, washing down biscuit and syrup with warm milk from fruit jars. Some people were gnawing on cold chicken and cold fried pork chops…In a far corner of the square, the Negroes sat quietly in the sun, dining on sardines, crackers, and the more vivid flavors of Nehi soda. Mr. Dolphus Raymond sat with them.” (214)

THINK/PAIR/SHARE What is the contrast between the white people at the trial and the African-American attendees?

Dolphus Raymond Although Dolphus Raymond is white, he spends his time with the black residents of Maycomb. Rumor is that he is living with a black woman and has fathered her children. When Scout asks “what’s a mixed child?” Jem tells her: “They don’t belong anywhere. Colored folks won’t have ‘em because they’re half white; white folks won’t have ‘em ‘cause they’re colored, so they’re just in-betweens, don’t belong anywhere. But Mr. Dolphus, now, they say he’s shipped two of his up north. They don’t mind ‘em up north.” (215)

THINK/PAIR/SHARE Why does the author include this story about Mr. Dolphus Raymond? What point do you think she is trying to make about race and prejudice? Do these same issues occur today?

Sitting at the Trial When Jem, Scout, and Dill arrive at the courthouse, there are no more seats. Reverend Sykes sees them and asks if they want to sit in the balcony reserved for African-Americans. They accept, and go in to watch the trial.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? This is important because: It shows that the children are not prejudiced – they don’t mind sitting in the African-American section of the courtroom The African-Americans in Maycomb respect Atticus for defending Tom, and therefore respect his children and treat them well

The Testimony of Heck Tate Heck Tate says that Bob Ewell called him to his house, that “some n-word had raped his girl.” (223) Tate admits that he did not call a doctor. He recalls that she had been beaten, and had a black right eye. Atticus gets him to admit that the victim had bruises all around her neck

Mr. Bob Ewell Every town the size of Maycomb had families like the Ewells. No economic fluctuations changed their stations – people like the Ewells lived as guests of the county in prosperity as well as in the depths of a depression. No truant officers could keep their numerous offspring in school; no public health officer could free them from congenital defects, various worms, and the diseases indigenous to filthy surroundings.” (227)

Ewell’s Testimony Bob Ewell is disrespectful to the court and to Atticus. He testifies that he was bringing home wood when he heard his daughter Mayella scream, and when he looked in the window, he saw Tom Robinson sexually assaulting her. He admits he did not call a doctor. Atticus proves that Bob Ewell is left-handed.

Scout Reflects… “…Atticus was trying to show, it seemed to me, that Mr. Ewell could have beaten up Mayella. That much I could follow. If her right eye was blacked and she was beaten mostly on the right side of the face, it would tend to show that a left-handed person did it. Sherlock Holmes and Jem Finch would agree. But Tom Robinson could be easily left-handed, too…His back was to us, but I could see his broad shoulders and bull-thick neck. He could easily have done it.” (238)

What do YOU think? Is Atticus doing a good job? Why or why not?