To Kill a Mockingbird Group

Question:

skaterboy1
skaterboy1
Student
High School - 10th Grade

Atticus - "They’ve done it before and they did it tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it – seems that only children weep?”

Atticus says that it "seems that only children weep" in Chapter 22, which takes place after the verdict of the trial. What does the quote mean and why is it significant?

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Posted by skaterboy1 on Tuesday November 11, 2008 at 4:53 PM and tagged with atticus, chapter 22, meaning, quote, significance, to kill a mockingbird.

Answers:


  1. troutmiller Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Atticus is referring to Jem, who cried upon hearing the verdict. No others were crying--no adults, no jurors, not even the Blacks in the balcony.

    This is significant because everyone has grown accustomed to the prejudice in Maycomb. It's accepted. Even after Atticus proved Tom to be innocent, the jurors found him guilty. There are a few who see Tom as a man, not as just another "Black." Atticus, Miss Maudie, Heck Tate, and even the judge wanted Tom to have a fair trial. However, they are all adults and have seen it before, and will unfortunately see it again. Only children are innocent to the ugliness of racism and prejudice. That is why they cry. Adults are numb to it.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird/

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    Posted by troutmiller on Wednesday November 12, 2008 at 5:40 PM