Chapter 18 summary to kill a mockingbird. To Kill a Mockingbird 2022-11-15
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Chapter 18 of To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is a crucial chapter in the novel as it marks the beginning of the trial of Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. The chapter begins with the arrival of Atticus, the main character and narrator Scout's father, at the courthouse to prepare for the trial. Scout, her brother Jem, and their friend Dill also attend the trial and watch as Atticus delivers his opening statement.
Throughout the trial, Atticus does his best to defend Tom, but he is up against a prejudiced and biased judge and jury who are determined to find Tom guilty. Despite Atticus' eloquent and logical arguments, the evidence against Tom seems to be stacked against him. As the trial continues, Scout becomes increasingly aware of the racism and discrimination that exists in her community, and she begins to understand the true meaning of her father's teachings about justice and equality.
One of the most memorable moments of the trial comes when Atticus cross-examines the prosecution's key witness, Mayella Ewell. Mayella is the alleged victim in the case, and Atticus uses her own testimony to show that she is lying about the rape. He asks Mayella questions that reveal that she is not only lying about the rape, but also that she is being abused by her father. This revelation shocks the courtroom, and it becomes clear that Tom is being falsely accused as a way for the Ewells to save face and cover up the abuse that Mayella has endured.
Despite Atticus' best efforts, the jury ultimately finds Tom guilty, and he is sentenced to prison. The verdict is a devastating blow for Atticus and his family, and it serves as a harsh reminder of the injustice and prejudice that still exists in their community. However, Atticus remains determined to fight for what is right and to stand up for those who are mistreated and marginalized.
In conclusion, chapter 18 of To Kill a Mockingbird is a powerful and poignant chapter that illustrates the themes of racism and prejudice in the novel. Through Atticus' defense of Tom Robinson, Lee shows the lengths to which people will go to protect their own interests and maintain the status quo, even if it means denying justice to others. The chapter also highlights Atticus' unwavering commitment to fairness and equality, and it serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles for justice and equality in our own world.
To Kill a Mockingbird
We are aware that the whole trial will be over in just a day. They were kind to him, but did not seem to need him around. Chapter 9 Christmas is near, and Scout and Jem learn that Atticus has taken the case of Tom Robinson, a black man accused of rapin. Atticus goes back through her earlier story, asking her to verify her earlier claims. Chapter 20 In the square Scout and Dill talk with Dolphus Raymond. The accident left him unable to use his left arm. After Mayella repeats her claims that Tom hit her, choked her, and raped her, Atticus says he wants her to be certain she has accused the right person.
To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis
. Mayella just says that she was taken advantage of, and if the upper class gentlemen won't prosecute Tom, they are cowards. When Atticus asks Mayella to identify her attacker she points to Tom Robinson who stands to face her. As she struggled, her father appeared at the window, calling Mayella a whore and threatening to kill her. Ewell for his version of the events.
Atticus forces Jem to read for an extra week and a month after he finishes, Mrs. Scout, Jem, and Dill sneak into the trial and watch the proceedings from the balcony, where the black people are forced to sit. He adds nothing new to the prosecution's story except that he claims he saw Tom Robinson beating Mayella. Radley died soon after and Calpurnia whispered that he was mean, which surprised Jem and Scout—she never speaks ill of white people. Midway through this chapter it becomes clear that Mayella is lying about what really happened and that Tom couldn't have possibly hurt her, because his left arm doesn't work.
Atticus doesn't hold a gun or any other weapon, but carries only a book. . Chapter Two Dill goes home and Scout goes to school for the first time. Atticus apologizes, saying he is getting older and does not always remember. Scout discovers she has been draped with a blanket for warmth, and it was Boo who put it round her! When Tom Robinson walked by, she asked him to do it for a nickel. Jem assures Scout the editor of the newspaper will not tell their father about them seated together with the colored people although there is a possibility he might write it in his newspaper's social section.
Many years later, they argue about when everything that led to the accident truly began. Atticus Finch then begins to cross-examine the witness. Scout wonders why Chapter 15 Dill is allowed to stay for the summer. Jem takes his time but races to the house, slaps the siding, and then races back to the safety of his own porch with Dill and Scout behind him. . Trying to be cordial, she innocently begins to talk to Mr. Judge Taylor reassures her that Atticus is not there to scare her.
To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 18 Summary & Analysis
Mayella Ewell Testifies: To Kill a Mockingbird Summary -- Chapter 18 The next person for cross-examination is Mayella Ewell whom to the Ewell's standards is a clean 19-year-old girl. Chapter 18 focuses on Mayella Ewell. Mayella reveals to Atticus that Bob Ewell is a good father except when he drinks and describes the poor conditions in which she and her seven siblings live. . Underwood reveals himself in a nearby window with a gun, pointing out that he had them covered the whole time. Dill and his imagination begin to situate these kinds of fantasy games as a hallmark of childhood in Mockingbird, while the fact that their games are based off of books indicates that all three children are literate.
Chapter Three Scout fights Walter Cunningham, but Jem breaks it up and Walter is invited to lunch at the Finches. Scout, Jem, and Dill sneak out of the house to figure out where Atticus went and join Atticus at the courthouse, who anticipated a mob attack on Tom. GradeSaver, 29 July 2007 Web. She then admits that she knows Tom since he passes by her house every day. .
Atticus's questions embarrass Bob Ewell who sneers and bristles when Atticus speaks to him. Aunt Alexandra urges Atticus not to speak like that in front of Calpurnia, but Atticus protests as usual, claiming fairness and honesty are important. . On the evening in question, he recounts, she asked him to come inside the house and fix a door. Why didn't they come running? It ended in a small shriveled hand, and from as far away as the balcony I could see that it was no use to him. Chapters 17-18 Chapter 17: Mr.
Its location was very far inland and away from the only form of transportation in that day - riverboats. Atticus then repeats back her prior testimony about being choked and beaten and asks her to confirm that Tom was the one who raped her. When she tells Atticus that she screamed, he asks where the children were. First, a group of men pay a call to Atticus at his home. Between her details and the sheriff's examin. Despite the unfairness of the trial, Mayella is a woman living in sad circumstances with no hope for a better future.
The sheriff, Heck Tate, knows that a mistake was made. In Chapter 17, the Ewells belong to the bottom set of Maycomb's whites. Underwood looking around the court finally notices the children sitting at the black area's balcony part of the courtroom. Though Tom and Boo are the primary symbolic mockingbirds of the novel, an argument can be made that Atticus is also figured as a mockingbird. Likewise, without people like Atticus going out of their way to help others, the darkness of prejudice could perpetuate itself indefinitely. That year, Atticus is appointed by the court to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, who is accused of raping Mayella Ewell, the daughter of a poor, notoriously vicious white man named Bob Ewell. However, as Jem and Scout walk home alone from a Halloween pageant one night, Mr.
