To Kill A Mockingbird Chapters 21-31: Summary of Important Points

The Trial:
• Tom Robinson was convicted because the town could not overcome its racist nature
• “Only children weep”, further establishing the element of innocence in the novel, and how exposure past childhood and opinions can blur the truth. Also adding to this was when Atticus told Jem, “If you had been on that jury, son, and eleven boys like you, Tom would be a free man”
• Led to Bob Ewell becoming more outcast (for white person) and furthermore, his increased hatred of Atticus that led to the attack
• The coloured people showed Atticus immense respect for his efforts
• The trial builds on the theme “courage, even when you think you have lost”
Characters:
• Bob Ewell threatened Atticus who brushed it off and continued to see the good in people rather than what they are capable of
• The Cunningham’s had a change of heart toward Atticus and Tom during the trial, they needed the most convincing to say “guilty”
• Tom Robinson got killed trying to escape, possibly because he had given up hope or as Atticus said “was tired of white men’s chances and preferred to take his own”
• Jem continues to mature, while keeping some innocence and developing a greater understanding of the situations at hand
• Arthur Radley exited his house to help Jem and Scout
• Scout develops a greater understanding of Boo and doesn’t fear him
Themes and Reoccurring Elements:
• Scout no longer fears Boo because she realizes there are other, scarier things to fear. This builds on the element of childhood and growing-up
• The mockingbird symbol was further developed, they were mentioned when Tom was convicted and after his death, which was said to be, “The senseless slaughter of a songbird”. It was also mentioned along the path where the kids got attacked. It was chirping on the path when they were headed toward the school, but on the way home when they got attacked there were no sounds
• Boo was a symbol of fear at the start of the book. As Scout grew-up, her understanding of Boo matured too, especially when she was at the window
• “You never really know a man until you stand in his shoes” was a major theme throughout the book. At the end as Scout imagines herself as Boo recollecting past events for his perspective, she says “and Boo’s children needed him” (Lee, 374) showing that Boo cared for the kids like his own