To Kill a Mockingbird

True to the predications of Atticus, the children start to hear whispering in town about the trial. Scout asks Atticus about Tom Robinson and the accusation of rape, bringing up her visit to Calpurnia’s church. She asks if she can go to see Calpurnia outside of their home, and Alexandra declares she may not. Atticus and Alexandra then argue about Calpurnia’s importance to the family.

Jem urges Scout not to agitate Alexandra. He seems to appreciate that Atticus is trying to protect their family’s reputation. They fight because Scout is tired of him acting superior to her. Atticus swiftly breaks up the fight.

Dill—who has been hiding under the bed—emerges after Atticus leaves. He spins an elaborate story, but it is clear that he has really run away because he feels no one wants him and he is tired of being ignored. Jem tells Atticus, demonstrating his newfound maturity. Atticus prepares a meal for Dill and allows him to spend the night, but notifies Dill’s relatives of his whereabouts.

Later that night, Scout wonders why Boo Radley never ran away from home. Dill grimly speculates, “Maybe he doesn’t have anywhere to run off to” (163).

After much pleading over phone with his mother, Dill is allowed to stay with Finches. A week after his arrival, a group of men arrives at the house with the sheriff, Heck Tate. They tell Atticus that Tom Robinson is being moved to the county jail. They suspect that a lynch mob will come after Tom Robinson as a result.

The following evening, Atticus leaves to go downtown. Later, in the night, the three children secretly venture into town to look for him. They find him outside the jail where Tom Robinson has been transferred, sitting in a chair with a reading light and the paper.

A group of strange men pulls up in cars. Scout runs to Atticus from her hiding place. She notices Mr. Cunningham among the mob and addresses him as a friend. Scout speaks toward what she believes to be Mr. Cunningham’s interests: his son, Walter, and his entailment. Mr. Cunningham is unexpectedly moved by her empathetic words. He responds by calling off the mob.

Mr. Underwood—owner of The Maycomb Tribune—calls out to Atticus from the window of his office across the street. He reveals that he was covering Atticus the whole time, holding his double-barreled shotgun out the office window. Accompanied by Atticus, the children return home. 

The next morning, Scout makes a connection in her imagination between Atticus’ shooting of Old Tim Johnson and his defense of Tom Robinson the night before. In her own words: “The full meaning of the night’s events hit me and I began crying” (177).

Over breakfast, Alexandra scolds the children for venturing out, but Atticus tells them he’s thankful for their bravery. When Alexandra protests that Mr. Underwood was covering Atticus with his shotgun, Atticus reveals that ironically, Mr. Underwood hates Black people. Alexandra tells Atticus he shouldn’t say things like that in front of Calpurnia, and he responds, “Well, I’m sure Cal knows it. Everyone in Maycomb knows it” (178).

Atticus explains that he considers Calpurnia family and therefore, she should be privy to all of their family discussions. He complicates the conversation of family by referencing back to the mob, stating “Every mob in every little Southern town is always made up of people you know” (179).

The children venture into town, where they see everyone in town going to the trial. The lower level of the courthouse is completely full. Greeted by Reverend Sykes, they secretly venture into the colored section of the courthouse.