In Chapter 14 of To Kill a Mockingbird, we see the characters of Jem and Scout Finch continue to grapple with the complexities of race and justice in their small Southern town of Maycomb. The chapter begins with the children attending the trial of Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. As the trial progresses, the children witness the blatant racism and prejudice of the white people in the courtroom, including the judge and the prosecutor, who seem determined to convict Tom despite a lack of concrete evidence against him.
The chapter also introduces us to Atticus Finch, the children's father and the defense attorney for Tom Robinson. Atticus, who is a fair and just man, tries his best to present a strong defense for Tom, but he is up against a biased and oppressive legal system. Despite his efforts, Tom is ultimately found guilty and sentenced to prison.
Throughout the chapter, we see the growing awareness and understanding of the children as they witness the injustice of the trial. They begin to see the deep-seated racism and prejudice that exists in their community, and they struggle to make sense of it all. Jem is particularly affected by the trial, and he becomes more mature and introspective as a result.
One of the most poignant moments of the chapter comes when Scout asks Atticus why Tom was found guilty, even though he was innocent. Atticus explains to her that the trial was not about justice or truth, but about the power dynamics between white people and black people in their society. He tells her that Tom was found guilty because the white people in the courtroom were afraid of change and wanted to maintain the status quo.
Overall, Chapter 14 of To Kill a Mockingbird is a powerful and poignant examination of race and justice in the Deep South. It shows us the deep-seated racism and prejudice that exists in society, and the ways in which these biases can shape and distort the legal system. At the same time, it also gives us hope and inspiration through the character of Atticus Finch, who stands up for what is right and just, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 14 Summary
What reasons does he give? Place is also important in the sense that Dill feels compelled to return to Maycomb, even though that means running away from home. 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. Bravery takes on a new role as the children face the mob threatening Atticus at the jail. With Scout out of the room, she comments that they really don't need a housekeeper now that she's come to stay, recommending that Atticus let Calpurnia go. What happens at the beginning of the chapter? The children get more insight into Miss Maudie's feelings about the trial and her distaste for mob mentality when she tells them that she has "'no business with the court this morning. In fact, Aunt Alexandra thinks that Atticus should terminate Calpurnia's employment with the family.
TKAM Chapter 14 Questions
What does Jem tell Scout she should do when dealing with Aunt Alexandra? Alone in her room after, Scout thinks she feels a snake, but it turns out to be Dill, who has ridden the train by himself because he wants to escape his new stepfather, whom he doesn't like. Dill is unhappy with his new stepfather, but readers sense that summers in Maycomb have become part of Dill's sense of place. The last date is today's date — the date you are citing the material. Atticus breaks up the confrontation and sends them both to bed. They can't understand why Atticus isn't angry at the men who were ready to hurt him and lynch Tom.
To Kill a Mockingbird – Chapter 14
Dill's mother doesn't know where he went, so Jem calls Atticus in to help. What is the one thing that Atticus finally does involving Aunt Alexandra He stands up to her and puts his foot down about letting Calpurnia go Why is scout glad that Jem is beating her up? He tells them that he was bound in chains but escaped to join a small animal show, but in reality he just stole thirteen dollars from his mother's purse and took the nine o'clock train to Maycomb Junction, then walked the rest of the way to the Finch house. At bedtime, he, Scout, and Dill walk downtown themselves to see what's happening. He likes to have his imagine world. Scout, however, is braver by addressing the mob, although, ironically, she has no idea how brave she's being. Aunt Alexandra's presence is in itself a result of her questioning Atticus's ability to raise his children and is, thus, a threat to Scout and Jem, who would prefer to think of Atticus as a stand-up if old and bookish father.
To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 14 Summary and Analysis
Scout doesn't agree and therefore doesn't respect Aunt Alexandra's authority. What are people saying? Aunt Alexandra is critical of his parenting skills, particularly where it comes to Scout, who hasn't had a strong white female role model growing up. We don't see Jem's response to this. Somewhat relieved, Scout determines that after so many generations, race doesn't count, but Jem says, "'around here once you have one drop of Negro blood, that makes you all black. Jem also moves one step closer to adulthood when he refuses to obey his father for the first time in his life.
To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 14
For Scout, Maycomb and her family are as much a part of her as her own skin. He was in office from 1929 to 1933, and the beginning of his first and only term roughly coincided with the 1929 Stock Market Crash, which drove the country into the Great Depression. He tells Atticus that Dill ran away. They find Dill under her bed. By suggesting that a trail of candy will make Boo leave his home, Dill still applies methods that would appeal to children, not adults. Allusion Herbert Hoover 1874 - 1964.
Finally, readers are introduced to Judge Taylor, who the children earlier discovered — much to their surprise — appointed Atticus to defend Tom Robinson. Their fight in this chapter stems from a larger conflict over how Atticus raises his children. A Hoover cart is one that has been fitted with the wheels of a car and is being pulled by a mule or horse. Jem, who's now old enough to be called Mister Jem, has begun to take on airs and to talk down to Scout, which understandably irritates her. When Reverend Skyes offers the children a seat in the "Colored balcony," they happily and naively accept. Think you understand the values Atticus tries to teach Jem and Scout? Jem tells Scout not to antagonize Aunt Alexandra.
