Chapter 22 Summary and Analysis
After the verdict, Jem starts crying, saying it isn't right. Together, they all head home, exhausted, and sit up for a while, considering what happened. Aunt Alexandra tells Atticus she's sorry about the verdict, but wishes the children hadn't watched the trial. Atticus says that they had every right to watch and the racism of the trial is "as much Maycomb County as missionary teas," meaning it is part of their heritage and way of life, unfortunately.
In the morning, they discover that the African American community has left them a pile of gifts on their back porch to thank Atticus for defending Tom. There are tomatoes, beans, pickled pigs' knuckles. Atticus grins at those. Soon after, Dill comes in and tells them that Miss Rachel said a few nasty things about Atticus and the trial ("if a man like Atticus Finch wants to butt his head against a stone wall it's his head"). When they go outside, Miss Stephanie Crawford, Mr. Avery, and Miss Maudie are all talking out on Miss Maudie's porch. Miss Stephanie asks them a series of gossipy and irritating questions, but Miss Maudie saves them from this by inviting them in for cake. She made one little one each for Scout and Dill, but cuts a slice from a big one for Jem, in recognition of his being older.
Jem's feeling glum because of the verdict and thinks no one tried to help Tom, but Miss Maudie corrects him, suggesting that Judge Taylor deliberately chose Atticus to defend Tom so that he'd get a fairer trial. She says Atticus is the only lawyer who could've made the jury deliberate on a case like this for that long—if anyone else had defended Tom, the jury would've found him to be guilty in five minutes. Outside, Dill says that Miss Stephanie Crawford and all the other gossips should be "ridin' broomsticks," meaning that they should be recognized for the witches they are. He declares that when he grows up he's going to be a clown and spend all day laughing at other people, especially the terrible ones.
When Miss Stephanie and Miss Rachel wave to the kids, they feel obliged to go up to them. The adults then tell them to get inside, because there's been trouble: Bob Ewell spat in Atticus's face and threatened to "get him if it took the rest of his life."
Foreshadowing
An example of this is when Ewell said he'd "get" Atticus "if it took the rest of his life." He will in fact die in the process of trying to get back at Atticus, which makes this line especially ominous.
Hyperbole
One example of this would be when Mr. Avery "nearly blew [the kids] off the sidewalk" with his sneezing fit.
Idiom
Scout uses an idiom when she says, "I stole a glance at Jem."
Metaphor
Perhaps the most important metaphor in this chapter comes at the end, when Dill says that Miss Stephanie and the other gossips should be "ridin' broomsticks," the implication being that they're witches and that the Tom Robinson trial has been a metaphorical witch hunt. Another example is Dill eating in "rabbit-bites," which further solidifies the image of him as a rabbit that Harper Lee introduced in Chapter 14 when he "shivered like a rabbit" at the sound of Miss Rachel's voice.
Symbols
Clowns. Dill has long been a joker in this novel, so it's fitting that he would want to be a clown when he's older. Though his reasons for wanting this are sad (he's disillusioned with the world and wants to laugh at the racist people who convicted and vilified Tom), the clown is nevertheless a symbol of humor and mirth. For Dill, being a clown would merely be a continuation of his youth and would represent his childish innocence, which makes it difficult for him to cope with the harsh reality of the adult world.
Gifts. In Chapter 7, we saw how the gifts in the knothole were symbols of Boo's affection for the Finch children. In this chapter, the gifts on Atticus's back steps are symbols of the respect and gratitude that the African American community feels for Atticus. They appreciate the fact that he defended Tom despite the backlash and want to thank him somehow, so they give him what they can: food. This is an incredible gesture that almost moves Atticus to tears.
Themes
Gossip. The morning after the trial, the children make a pointed effort to avoid any gossip about the trial. However, when they head outside, they're immediately confronted by Miss Stephanie, Mr. Avery, and Miss Maudie, who've been gossiping on Miss Maudie's porch. Dill later says that all of these town gossips should be "ridin' broomsticks," because it would be a more accurate representation of their character. In this metaphor, we can clearly see that gossip has become a malicious force, and that the kids are trying to avoid it for good reason.
Expert Q&A
What does Atticus mean by "it seems that only children weep" in chapter 22 of To Kill a Mockingbird, and why is it significant?
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's quote means that racial prejudice is ingrained in Maycomb's culture to the point that most adults are desensitized to racial discrimination. Only children are innocent enough to react to injustice and sympathize with victims of racism.
What quote represents Miss Maudie's reaction to Tom Robinson's verdict in Chapter 22 of To Kill A Mockingbird?
A quote that represents Miss Maudie's reaction to Tom Robinson's verdict in Chapter 22 is, "Atticus Finch won’t win, he can’t win, but he’s the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that." She acknowledges the small progress made, calling it a "baby-step," and appreciates Atticus's efforts in highlighting racial injustices.
What prompts Miss Maudie's "baby-step" comment in chapter 22 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
What causes Miss Maudie to say that at least they made a "baby-step" in the right direction is that it took so long for the jury to convict Tom Robinson.
In Chapter 22 of To Kill a Mockingbird, what does the phrase "only children weep" mean?
The phrase "only children weep" highlights how children, like Jem, are deeply affected by the injustice of Tom Robinson's conviction because they still possess innocence and a clear sense of right and wrong. Unlike cynical adults who accept societal injustices, children openly express their emotions and recognize the moral failure. This reflects the broader theme of innocence and moral clarity in To Kill a Mockingbird, emphasizing the contrast between childhood compassion and adult cynicism.
What are the themes in chapter 22 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
Chapter 22 of To Kill a Mockingbird explores themes such as the loss of innocence, the pain of racism, and moral heroism. The guilty verdict against Tom Robinson, despite clear evidence of his innocence, shatters Jem and Scout's naive belief in justice, marking their loss of innocence. The chapter also highlights racism's impact, cowardly hypocrisy, and different forms of heroism, exemplified by Atticus's calm response to Bob Ewell and Judge Taylor's decision to appoint Atticus as Tom's defender.
What is the meaning of "runner" as used by Jem in Chapter 22 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
In Chapter 22 of To Kill a Mockingbird, Jem uses the word "runner" to refer to the uneaten chicken leg Dill is holding. Dill is eating while telling a story that upsets Aunt Alexandra, prompting Jem to suggest they leave. The "runner" is likely slang for the chicken leg Dill should take with him as they exit the room.
In Chapter 22 of To Kill a Mockingbird, what three pieces of information does Miss Maudie give the children?
In Chapter 22, Miss Maudie tells the children three key things: First, she explains that some people, like Atticus, are born to handle difficult tasks. Second, she reassures them that Atticus and Tom Robinson have supporters, including Judge Taylor and Sheriff Tate, who believe in justice. Third, she highlights that Atticus's defense led to the jury deliberating longer than expected, marking a small step towards racial equality in Maycomb.
In chapter 22 of To Kill a Mockingbird, what prompts Dill to ask, "Tellin' the truth's not cynical, is it?"
Dill's question, "Tellin' the truth's not cynical, is it?" is prompted by Aunt Alexandra's reprimand after he comments on his Aunt Rachel's drinking habits. Dill sees his statement as a simple truth, while Alexandra views it as cynical because it casts Rachel in a negative light. This exchange highlights Alexandra's belief in maintaining decorum and her own prejudices, contrasting with Dill's straightforwardness and his exposure to the harsh realities of racism and family dysfunction.
In chapter 22 of To Kill a Mockingbird, what news does Miss Stephanie share with the children?
In Chapter 22, Miss Stephanie shares with the children that Bob Ewell confronted Atticus at the post office, spat in his face, and threatened to retaliate for Atticus's actions during the trial. Despite the provocation, Atticus remained calm and did not react. This incident highlights Atticus's lesson to his children about understanding and empathizing with others by putting themselves in their shoes before judging them.
What is the white neighbors' reaction (excluding Miss Maudie) to Atticus's defeat in chapter 22?
After Atticus's defeat, the white neighbors in Maycomb have varied reactions, mostly negative or indifferent. Mrs. Merriweather and Mrs. Farrow express racist views, blaming Atticus for unsettling the black community. Miss Stephanie and Mr. Avery mock Atticus's children, showing their prejudice. However, Aunt Alexandra and Miss Maudie offer support, acknowledging Atticus's efforts and the injustice of the trial. The black community, in contrast, appreciates Atticus's defense of Tom Robinson, showing gratitude through gifts of food.
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