Chapter 15 Summary and Analysis
This chapter opens on a dark note, with Heck Tate and several other men showing up outside the Finch house to tell Atticus that there might be trouble when Tom is moved to the town jail. These men don't intend to hurt Tom themselves, but give Atticus an ominous warning that he could lose everything because of this case. Atticus doesn't think so and turns his back on the other men with complete confidence, though Jem and Scout, watching from inside the house, are terrified. Jem's lie about the phone ringing breaks the tension outside and causes the group to scatter.
Inside, Jem asks Atticus if those men were part of a gang like the Ku Klux Klan. Atticus explains (somewhat erroneously) that the KKK is gone and is never coming back, then tells the kids not to worry, because those men were still their friends and neighbors. The next day, Sunday, these men approach Atticus again outside church, but Scout and Jem don't hear what they say. After church, the kids bum around, bored out of their minds, and then settle in for a lazy evening when to their surprise Atticus announces that he's going out and takes an extension cord with him. Curious, the Finch children fetch Dill, who's still staying at Miss Rachel's, and follow Atticus into town. They find him sitting outside the jailhouse, reading the newspaper.
Soon after the children find Atticus, a mob approaches him, intending no doubt to lynch Tom. To Scout's dismay, these men are strangers hailing from Old Sarum, and though they're related to the Cunninghams, they have no reason to refrain from hurting Atticus. Scout jumping in between the mob and Atticus shames them enough for them to stop, particularly after Scout kicks one of them in the groin and calls out Mr. Cunningham (Walter's father) for having legal troubles; because of this, the men shuffle off, leaving Atticus and the kids alone.
Before they go home, Tom calls down to thank Atticus for protecting him. Then Mr. Underwood reveals that he has been watching all along, holding his loaded shotgun at the ready in case there was any real trouble and he needed to defend Atticus.
Allusions
Gothic Architecture. An architectural style popular in the late medieval period and characterized by the use of pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, which were built in a comically small scale inside the jailhouse, which consists of only two cells. The Gothic style is meant to make it seem foreboding and sinister, but its size turns it into a joke.
Henry W. Grady (1850 - 1889). A journalist who helped reintegrate the Confederacy into the Union following the Civil War. His stance as a white supremacist complicates Atticus's seeming admiration for him, making the fact that he forces Jem to read Grady's work very questionable.
Ku Klux Klan. A hate group often referred to as the KKK or, simply, the Klan. It was first founded in the 1800s, around the time of the Civil War, but didn't gain momentum until the early 1900s, when they first began burning crosses and organizing mass parades to assert their white supremacist beliefs. The traditional image of a Klan member is that of a man draped in a white sheet with a pointed hat on top. Atticus erroneously says that the Klan is dead, but in fact it still exists today, and the kids are right to be afraid that the Klan will intervene in Tom's trial (even though they don't, in the end).
Themes
Fear. Up until the moment Scout jumps into the circle...
(This entire section contains 1159 words.)
Unlock this Study Guide Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
of men, all the fear in this chapter belongs to the children: fear that Atticus is in trouble, fear that trial the will destroy him, fear that the men won't let him go home. Once Scout shows up, however, the fear shifts to Atticus, who worries that both she and Jem will get hurt if this turns into a fight. In this, we see that Atticus's only vulnerability is his children and that he has been trying to keep them safe by keeping them away from the trial and any discussion of it. Unfortunately, he won't be able to protect them from everything.
Light vs. Dark. Traditionally, "light" and the color white are associated with goodness or purity, while "dark" and the color black are associated with evil. However, given the racially charged subject matter of the novel, Lee avoids associating black with evil and instead focuses on how light is associated with goodness, education, and enlightenment. When Atticus sits alone in the light of that one bulb, he appears to be an oasis of morality and rationality.
Manners. In this chapter, Scout misinterprets Atticus's lessons in manners to humorous effect, dropping the subject of Walter Cunningham because Atticus told her it was impolite to make people talk about things only you're interested in talking about. Scout stops asking Mr. Cunningham about his son, reverting to her first line of questioning: his entailment. Needless to say, Mr. Cunningham doesn't want to talk about this, either.
Racism. This is the first chapter in the novel where Maycomb's racism is directly linked to violence. Thus far, it has mostly been a sociological phenomenon affecting the way people think while dictating where they can and cannot live. Here, that racism shows its violent potential for the first time and prepares the reader for what lies ahead in Tom Robinson's trial.
Safety. In a poignant reversal of roles, Atticus, who previously defended his children from the rabid Tim Johnson, himself has to be defended from the mob by Scout, who jumps in front of him to be his human shield. This emphasizes the fact that Atticus can't protect his children from all of the bad things in the world and that pretty soon they'll have to face something they might not yet be able to understand.
Shame. Once again, the theme of shame is connected to one of the Cunninghams. In Chapter 2, we saw Miss Caroline embarrass Walter Cunningham by offering him money for lunch, and now we see Scout embarrass Walter's father by reminding him that he's drunkenly threatening a man who has done nothing but help him through his legal troubles. Mr. Cunningham sobers up and goes away with his relatives from Old Sarum, but it's only because Scout put him in his place.
Violence. Thus far, the violence in the novel has been fairly innocuous, consisting mostly of Jem and Scout fighting and the children being afraid of Boo. Up until the Cunninghams came up to Atticus with the intent of killing Tom, the most violent thing to happen was Boo stabbing his father in the leg with a pair of scissors. Here, the threat of violence is sinister enough that it shakes Atticus up and makes him worry about exposing his kids to the trial. It's set to start on Monday.
Expert Q&A
In chapter 15 of To Kill a Mockingbird, why do men visit Atticus on his porch?
Sheriff Tate and others come to warn Atticus that Tom Robinson has been moved to the Maycomb County jail for his trial on Monday. Much of the community is upset about the crime Tom is (wrongfully) accused of committing. The group visiting Atticus fears that members of the community such as the Cunninghams and the Old Sarum bunch will cause trouble or harm Tom on Sunday.
What do Chapter 15's mob scene and Mr. Underwood's actions in To Kill a Mockingbird reveal about human nature?
The mob scene in To Kill a Mockingbird tells us that humans will take on different characteristics when they are a part of a mob, losing their individuality. Mr. Underwood's actions demonstrate that even unexpected people can do the right thing in a time of need.
What literary devices are in chapter 15 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
Some literary devices found in chapter 15 of To Kill A Mockingbird include metaphor, imagery, onomatopoeia, simile, euphemism, and hyperbole.
In Chapter 15 of To Kill A Mockingbird, why does Jem disobey Atticus and what does it suggest about his character?
Jem disobeys Atticus in Chapter 15 to protect him and Tom Robinson from a potentially violent mob, showcasing his maturity and moral courage. This act of defiance highlights Jem's development into adulthood, as he chooses to stand by his father's side despite the danger. His actions reflect Harper Lee's theme of individual thought versus societal norms. Atticus's subtle gesture of affection afterward implies his pride in Jem's decision, despite the disobedience.
In chapter 15 of To Kill a Mockingbird, what "nightmare" descends upon the children?
In chapter 15, the "nightmare" that descends upon the children is the trial of Tom Robinson. This period is marked by escalating tension and violence, including a lynch mob targeting Tom at the jail, which the children witness. The trial exposes them to the harsh realities of racial injustice, deeply affecting them as they see the bias against Tom and the threats to their father, Atticus.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, where does Atticus go and why does Jem want to follow him in chapter 15?
In Chapter 15, Atticus goes to the Maycomb jail to protect Tom Robinson, who is being held there before his trial. Jem wants to follow Atticus because he senses something important is happening after overhearing a tense conversation between Atticus and other men about potential trouble from the Cunninghams. Jem's concern for his father's safety prompts him, along with Scout and Dill, to sneak out and find Atticus sitting outside the jail.
In Chapter 15 of To Kill a Mockingbird, why do the men leave Atticus and Tom alone?
The men leave Atticus and Tom alone because Scout's innocent conversation with Mr. Cunningham shames him. By greeting him politely and mentioning his son, she reminds him of his connection to Atticus, prompting him to disperse the mob. This act of innocence and respect defuses the tension and prevents potential violence.
In Chapter 15 of To Kill a Mockingbird, what does Scout's conversation attempt accomplish?
Scout's conversation in Chapter 15 serves to diffuse a potentially violent situation. By engaging Mr. Cunningham with innocent, ordinary questions about his son and entailment, she inadvertently shames him, reminding him of his humanity and community ties. This unexpected display of innocence and normalcy leads Mr. Cunningham to disperse the mob, preventing a possible lynching of Tom Robinson and averting violence against Atticus.
What was Mr. Underwood doing during the Chapter 15 confrontation?
During the Chapter 15 confrontation in To Kill a Mockingbird, Mr. Underwood was watching from his office window with a double-barreled shotgun, ready to intervene if the mob became violent. He later informs Atticus that he had him covered the entire time, highlighting his readiness to protect Atticus despite his own prejudices.
What are the themes of Chapter 15 in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Chapter 15 of To Kill a Mockingbird explores themes like prejudice and tolerance, courage and cowardice, and humanity. Atticus and his neighbors show courage and tolerance as they protect Tom Robinson from a lynch mob, which contrasts with the mob's cowardice and racial prejudice. The children's bravery and Scout's innocent intervention highlight the themes of loss of innocence and the importance of human dignity.
What persuasive force does Atticus use in chapter 15 of To Kill a Mockingbird to change minds?
In Chapter 15, Atticus Finch uses the persuasive force of questioning to influence the mob's thinking. By repeatedly asking "Do you really think?", he encourages individuals in the mob, like Mr. Cunningham, to reflect on their actions rather than blindly following the group. This tactic appeals to their humanity and individuality, urging them to consider the moral implications of their intentions and to think critically about the consequences of their actions.
What positive result occurs in the jail scene of Chapter 15 in To Kill a Mockingbird?
The positive outcome of the jail scene is that Scout's interaction with Mr. Walter Cunningham diffuses the mob's hostility, preventing a lynching and earning the Finch family respect from the Cunninghams. This respect later influences a juror from their community to consider Tom Robinson's innocence during his trial, showing the potential for change in racial attitudes. Additionally, Atticus's moral stance and Jem's bravery are affirmed, highlighting the power of empathy and human connection.
What breaks the tension during the mob scene in chapter 15 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
The tension during the mob scene is broken when Scout, unaware of the danger, innocently engages Mr. Cunningham in conversation about his son, reminding him of his personal connection to the Finch family. Her innocent inquiry diffuses the hostility, leading Mr. Cunningham to order the mob to disperse. This moment highlights the power of empathy and personal connections to overcome prejudice and violence.