Tate is friendly toward Atticus and seems like he is trying to be helpful, but it is apparent to

the reader that Tate never questioned the validity of the Ewells’ accusation. He did not bother

to have a doctor come tend Mayella’s wounds or verify that she was raped. He never mentions

questioning Tom about his whereabouts that evening or his version of what happened. He

gives the impression that he believed the Ewells and arrested the African-American, although

he never says it directly. Lee is beginning to show the discrimination that will become evident

in the trial of an African-American man accused of raping a white woman in the South.

Bob’s given name is Robert E. Lee Ewell, having been named after the General of the

Confederate Army. Since one of the causes of the Civil War was the practice of slavery in

the southern states, General Lee is associated with the pro-slavery/anti-African-American

viewpoint. Having Bob Ewell named after Lee reminds the reader of the war that was started

because of the relationship between African-Americans and white people.

The reader can infer that Atticus suspects Ewell is the person that beat Mayella. The reader

can also infer that there is something that would prevent Tom from causing the injuries that

both Tate and Ewell describe.

This is a metaphor in which Lee compares Ewell to a bantam rooster strutting around the

barnyard to illustrate Ewell’s confidence and his pride in being involved in the trial.

Mr. Gilmer understands the significance of Atticus’ questions about Ewell being right- or

left-handed, but Mr. Ewell does not. When Mr. Gilmer asks if Ewell is ambidextrous, Ewell

responds, “I most positively am not, I can use one hand good as the other. One hand good as

the other.…” (p. 178) His answer says that he is ambidextrous, which is an example of verbal

irony, because of the emphasis he uses to deny being ambidextrous.

Jem is convinced that Atticus has proven Robinson’s innocence by showing that Ewell is

left-handed. However, Scout is more skeptical as demonstrated by her statement, “I thought

Jem was counting his chickens.” (p. 178) The reader can infer that Scout has a better

understanding than Jem of what it will take for an all-white jury to fi nd an African-American

man innocent of rape. Jem focuses only on the facts of the trial, whereas Scout accepts the

reality of the prejudice involved.

Lee uses the Ewell family to emphasize the racial implications of Tom Robinson’s trial. Based

on Lee’s portrayal of Burris Ewell in earlier chapters as well as Atticus’ discussions with

Scout about the Ewell family, the reader knows that no one in the town thinks highly of the

Ewells. They live in a run-down house near the town dump, and Bob Ewell uses the public

assistance money he receives to buy liquor for himself rather than food for his children. The

white people of Maycomb would never believe any accusation that Bob Ewell made against

another white person; however, because Tom is African-American, they side with Bob rather

than allow an African-American disgrace a white man by winning a lawsuit against him.

Scout notes that initially Mayella seems to be fragile, but as soon as she sits in the witness

box, Mayella shows her true self—a strong girl used to physical labor. This observation

shows that Scout is maturing, because she is beginning to see that initial impressions can be

deceiving.

Mayella’s statements and expressions during Atticus’ cross-examination show that she does

not trust him, even though he appears to be a nice, gentle man. For example, she tells the

judge she does not want Atticus making fun of her like he did her father. Scout describes

Mayella’s attitude toward Atticus as “…looking at him furiously.” (p. 181)

Scout implies that Mayella seems to be hiding something. For example, in referring to

Mayella’s increasing confidence, Scout says, “…there was something stealthy about hers, like

a steady-eyed cat with a twitchy tail.” (p. 181) When Atticus asks if the day of the alleged

rape is the first time Mayella asked Tom to come inside the fence, Scout notices that Mayella

jumps slightly and does not answer at first.Atticus’ long list of questions about Mayella’s everyday life draws out the suspense, because

Through Atticus’ litany of questions about her life, the reader learns that Mayella has a very

difficult and lonely life, and she does not realize how bad it is. She claims to be able to read

and write as well as her father, which the on-lookers know is not very well. When Atticus

calls her Miss Mayella and refers to her as ma’am, Mayella sees this as mocking her rather

than as a gentlemanly sign of respect. She is surprised and then angry when Atticus asks

about friends, but in fact she does not have any.

Mayella loses the reader’s sympathy because she continues to accuse Tom Robinson of raping

her, and she threatens the jury with being cowards if they do not believe her. However, looking

at her background, the reader can understand that she is also afraid that her father will get

angry at her if she tells the truth.

Scout says that as Atticus sat down, he looked like he had a stomach ache and that it is clear

to her Atticus does not like what he did to Mayella. Atticus’ reaction is consistent with his

attitude toward seeing the best in people and trying to understand the reasons behind their

actions. Atticus believes that Mayella is an unfortunate person who told those lies because

her father forced her to do so, and Atticus wants to believe that she would not have done this

on her own.

Atticus has Tom stand up to show the jury that his left arm is injured, as explained by

Reverend Sykes. Because Tom only has one good arm, Atticus wants the jury to see that it is

impossible for Tom to grab Mayella, strangle her, hold her down, and rape her.

The difficulty that Tom has keeping his left hand on the Bible creates sympathy for him. It

also emphasizes how useless his left arm would be if he were trying to hold Mayella down

while she fought against him.

Atticus wants the jury know that Tom is honest and is not hiding anything from them. By

having his own lawyer ask about his trouble rather than waiting for the prosecuting attorney

to ask, Tom is able to explain what happened and the penalty he served because of it.

Scout has matured enough to put herself in other people’s positions and see what their lives

are like—something that Atticus fi rst explained to her when they talked about Miss Caroline.

Scout realizes that Mayella must be lonelier than Boo Radley, because neither white people

nor African-Americans will have anything to do with her. Although Scout has developed the

ability to see life through other people’s eyes, she is still confused by Mayella’s anger at Tom

Robinson, the only person who has been nice to her. This shows that Scout does not fully

understand the full extent of the racist attitudes of white Maycomb people.

In this time period, no white person would believe that an African-American could pity any

white person, so when Tom admits he felt sorry for Mayella, it diminishes the credibility

of everything that Tom says. The prosecutor further emphasizes Tom’s error by continually

asking Tom if he is saying Mayella was lying during her testimony.

Tom is smart enough to know that no one would believe him if he defended himself by

fighting off Mayella’s advances or if he hurts her father if Bob attacks him; yet Tom knows

that by running away, he looks guilty of something.

Mr. Gilmer is being demeaning; by referring to Tom as a boy, he insinuates that Tom is not

a man who deserves equal treatment under the law. Dill understands this type of demeaning

treatment, because his mother and step-father talked to him the same way.

Atticus is consistent in how he treats people regardless of who they are, where they are, or

what they are doing.

Lee uses Link Deas to show the reader that there is at least one white man other than Atticus

who believes that Tom Robinson is innocent. By having Link attest to Robinson’s excellent job

performance, Lee counters the white people’s stereotypical image of the lazy, good-for-nothing

African-American.

Even though it is not yet dark outside, the lights come on the moment Tom says Mayella

hugged him. The lights symbolize the truth of what happened in the Ewells’ house that day.

Until Tom explains this, the reader is unsure why the Ewells have accused him of attacking

Mayella. Once Tom describes Mayella’s advances toward him, the reader realizes the

significance of the truth—a white girl approached an African-American man for love and

affection.

Raymond’s comment indicates that he has been following Scout and Dill’s conversation, and

he agrees with Dill’s condemnation of the way most white people belittle African-Americans.

Evidently he is not drunk, or he could not understand what they are discussing. This

foreshadows a revelation about Raymond’s relationship with his African-American wife and

the theme that appearances can be deceiving.

Lee uses Raymond to explain Dill’s distress about the way white people talk to African-

Americans. Raymond reflects on the fact that children are sensitive to comments that hurt

other people; but by the time Dill gets older, he may notice the harm. If he is like most adults,

however, Dill will not stand up for the minority. Through this conversation, Lee shows that

all the white citizens of Maycomb are to blame for the injustice against Tom Robinson, not

just the jury that delivers the verdict. Because they do not stand up for Tom, they allow the

Ewells to get away with their false accusations. This attitude exemplifies the mob mentality

that Atticus previously described to his children.

Raymond’s bag actually contains a bottle of Coca-Cola, but the citizens of Maycomb assume

that it is alcohol. The bag represents Raymond’s way of misrepresenting himself as a drunk,

thereby getting the freedom to live the life he wants to live without having people ostracize

him for living with an African-American wife.

Atticus wants to reduce the formality of the courtroom setting and talk to the jury like he is

just another one of them. By eliminating his formal attire, Atticus hopes that the jurymen can

look at him as a simple man and relate to what he is saying more easily.

This is an example of an idiom in which Atticus is referring to the simplicity of the case—the

jury only has to choose which version to believe. This is an example of verbal irony, because

Tom Robinson is an African-American man accused of raping a white woman, so the case is

simply about black and white statements.

Lee is reinforcing the reality that the men on the jury could never fi nd Tom innocent if they

are supposed to believe that Tom is the equal of Mayella or Bob Ewell. Lee has Atticus

acknowledge that all people are prejudice as part of their normal lives, so he does not ask

the jury to deny that. He simply asks them to honor their role in the democratic process

by basing their decision on the facts of the case, not the race of the parties involved. This

important than any personal beliefs.

Lee reminds the reader that Calpurnia frequently walks the dividing line between the

affluent, white neighborhood and the African-American community. When talking to the

judge, Calpurnia’s demeanor is that of a subservient African-American; however, she speaks

correct English when addressing him, not the “negro- talk” Scout previously heard from her

at church. Even when she is angry with Jem for disobeying her and Aunt Alexandra, she uses

correct grammar; however, she treats Jem as a disobedient child while showing deference to

him by calling him Mister Jem. By having Calpurnia appear at this moment, Lee gives the

reader a stark reminder of the differences between Calpurnia and Tom Robinson.

The phrase “…wear you out…” is an idiom that means to give someone a spanking for doing

something terribly wrong. This phrase is another illustration of the duality of Calpurnia’s

role. In one phrase, she is angry at Jem and threatens to spank him if his father does not,

but at the end of the sentence she refers to Jem as “sir.” By calling him “sir,” Calpurnia

acknowledges the racial difference between them—he is white, and she is African-American,

so he must be treated with respect.

Jem is optimistic that the jury will find Tom innocent, and when Reverend Sykes and Scout

both raise doubts, Jem simply reiterates the facts, without considering the deep-seated

prejudices of the members of the jury. He rationalizes the amount of time as being necessary

to consider the Alabama laws concerning rape. Scout, on the other hand, does not understand

the significance of the length of time, but emotionally she knows that something is not right.

She compares it to the winter day her father shot the mad dog, something that normally

appears in only the hot days of the summer.

Although Atticus lost the case, the African-American community stands up as Atticus walks

by to show respect for his valiant efforts. They understand that most lawyers would not have

made any attempt to provide Tom’s innocence.

This is significant because it is the first time she has called Atticus “brother.” At a time when

she could remind Atticus that she had predicted this outcome, she shows that she values

family loyalty above anything else, even proving that she was right.

Both Atticus and Mr. Raymond have always believed that the adults of Maycomb ignore the

injustice that results from their prejudice against African-Americans, and they will continue

to do so. Before taking on Robinson’s trial, Atticus was seen as one of the most upstanding

citizens by the Maycomb community, whereas they shun Raymond because he lives with

an African-American woman. However, the moment Atticus became Robinson’s lawyer, the

Maycomb community shuns him just like Raymond. The significance of Atticus statement

is that he reminds the children that he has not changed his attitude; the town changes its

impression of him because he acted on his beliefs just like Raymond does—the belief that

there is nothing wrong with associating with African-Americans—Atticus was treated like

Raymond was.

Miss Stephanie remains true to her character by immediately starting to question the children

based on the gossip she had heard in town. Miss Rachel shows her lackluster attitude toward

others by saying that it is okay with her if Atticus wants to continue to “…butt his head

against a stone wall.…” (p. 213) As is typical of Miss Maudie, she takes the children inside

her house to have cake, answer their questions, and console them, particularly Jem.

She is explaining to the children that their father is an unusual man who is willing to do

whatever needs to be done, regardless of how difficult, painful, or unpopular the task may be.

Although most lawyers would not have made an effort, Atticus tried his hardest to provide the

best defense for Tom Robinson.

A child of Scout’s age is not sophisticated enough to understand, and therefore explain, that

Atticus is not an average person but a truly remarkable man. Therefore, having a character

such as Miss Maudie close to the children allows Lee to remind the reader of Atticus’

dedication.

Although Ewell should be happy that Tom was found guilty, he is furious because Atticus

made a fool of him on the witness stand. This foreshadows that the violence may not be over,

and Ewell will continue to stir up the town.

Lee again draws on darkness to create suspense. Because Scout is in her costume, it is very

dark, she cannot see very well, and Jem has to lead her through the darkness. When Scout

realizes that she left her shoes at school, they turn around to get them, only to see the lights

at the school go out, which emphasizes that they are all alone out there. Because of her

costume, Scout cannot see what is happening when they get attacked.

Lee also uses silence to increase the suspense. First Jem thinks he hears something, but when

they stop, it is completely quiet. Then they both think they hear something, probably Cecil,

and holler at him; but again, it is completely silent. Finally, they hear the soft swish of

someone wearing cotton pants as they walk, but the person does not speak to them.

Scout’s costume prevents her from seeing what is happening, being able to escape, and

therefore, increasing her sense of disorientation and helplessness, which in turn increases

the suspense for the reader. Because she cannot see, she is only able to describe the attack for

the reader based on what she hears and feels fi rsthand. If this incident were told in the third

person, the reader would know who attacks the children and who saves them.

Although Aunt Alexandra calls her “darling” two times (p. 264), the act that makes Scout

realize Aunt Alexandra loves her is that she gives Scout her overalls to put on once she gets

out of the costume. Aunt Alexandra hates Scout’s overalls more than anything, because in

Alexandra’s mind, only boys should wear overalls. However, Scout sees the overalls as a

representation of who she is—a tomboy.

Atticus says that he has no idea who would harm his children like this. However, it is obvious

to the reader that the person who attacked his children is Bob Ewell.

Lee says that Ewell has a kitchen knife stuck in his ribs, and Scout notes that a countryman

is standing in the corner of Jem’s bedroom whom Scout assumes is the man that saved them.

She remembers that she had the premonition that something bad was going to happen, but

she dismissed it. If she had paid attention to her feeling, then she would have been able to

prevent the attack by going to the play with the children or by having Atticus drive them to

and from the school.

Lee gives the reader several clues that Atticus feels guilty for allowing his children to be

attacked by Bob Ewell. He says he always plays his radio too loud, implying that if he played

it softer he would have heard his children screaming. He also comments on how Scout’s

costume is completely destroyed. Atticus then says he cannot understand anyone harming a

child. He is trying to reconcile his belief in the inherent goodness of all people with Ewell’s

evilness. He feels guilty, because he knows that his blindness to Ewell’s threats almost cost his

children their lives.

Lee has Scout notice the man’s sickly white hands; his face as white as his hands; his delicate

temples; his gray, colorless eyes; and his thin, feathery hair. Scout draws the conclusion that

the person has never spent time outside.

The reference to feathers symbolizes the innocence of Radley, which would have been

destroyed if he had to face a public trial—just like the innocence of a mockingbird being

killed.

Scout assumes that Boo prefers being in the dark since he never goes outside. She supports

Atticus’ decision to go to the porch by leading Boo to the rocking chair in the darkest part of

the porch.

Lee has several of the adults in the room treat Boo as a normal human being, thus

demystifying Boo for Scout. For example, Atticus introduces Scout to Arthur (Boo) as he

would any other human being. Then Dr. Reynolds says hello to Arthur as if he frequently

visits the Radley house. Dr Reynolds’ acknowledgement of Arthur makes Scout realize that

Boo probably gets sick just like everyone else does.

Heck wants to say that Ewell fell on his own knife, because Tate does not want to go to court

to prove that Ewell was killed in order to protect the children. Atticus assumes that Tate

wants to protect Jem from having to go to court, but Tate is not protecting Jem.

Atticus will not bend the law, even for his own child. As he said in his summation at the trial,

the judicial process is the great equalizer. He believes in justice for all, including his own son.

Scout is comparing Arthur Radley to a mockingbird. Arthur is truly innocent, like the

mockingbird, and even though any jury would find him innocent of murder, making Arthur

go through a highly publicized trial would kill him emotionally, just like shooting a

mockingbird.

Tate knows that he did not protect Tom Robinson from the evil of Ewell’s accusations, so he

believes that Ewell got his just reward by dying when he tried to kill Atticus’ children. Tate

wants to stand up and do the right thing this time by protecting Arthur from the publicity, as

seen in his statement, “…let the dead bury the dead.…” (p. 276)

 Some students may say that Atticus

learns the most because he realizes that there are some times when it is best to bend the law.

Although he had told Scout this early in the story when explaining why the Ewell children

did not have to attend school, he did not really agree with this view until tonight. Other

students may say that Scout learned the most, because she understands more clearly than her

father does why Tate is so adamant about reporting Ewell’s death as self-inflicted.

Scout has finally realized the importance of being a Southern lady and kind hostess. As she

stands on the Radleys’ porch, she also understands what it really means to see the world

through someone else’s eyes; she sees herself and Jem running to meet their father each day,

all the neighbors going about their daily business, a boy carrying a fishing pole, two children

shivering in front of his house on a cold winter night, etc.

Scout knows how much Arthur cares about her and Jem. Arthur does not have any children of

his own, but he has watched Scout and Jem grow up. When Arthur saw them being attacked

by Bob Ewell, he acted as if he were their father—he risked his life to protect them, knowing

that he could possibly be taken to jail or court if he hurt Ewell.

Lee uses The Gray Ghost to review the events in Scout’s life over the past year—Scout and

Jem thought of Boo Radley as a madman because they never saw him, just like the people

thought Stoner’s Boy was causing the trouble in The Gray Ghost. However, once Scout met

Arthur, she realized that he was a very kind person, just like the characters who met Stoner’s

Boy in The Gray Ghost.

Lee also uses the book as a way for Scout to explain to Atticus that she was not scared while

Ewell was attacking them. She did not get scared until she had to tell the story to Heck Tate,

just like getting scared when reading a book.

By having Atticus undress Scout and put her to bed, Lee is reminding the reader that Scout is

just a little girl. Even though she has learned quite a lot about human nature, Scout is still a

child.