Chapter 30 Summary and Analysis
Hearing Scout use the nickname "Boo," Atticus gently corrects her: "Mr. Arthur, honey." That's his real name: Mr. Arthur Radley. Scout's instinctive fear of Boo makes her run to Jem's side, but she calms down soon enough and leads Boo to the porch, where she offers him the rocking chair, thinking that he'll like the dark. On the porch, Heck and Atticus disagree about who should take the blame for Ewell's murder. Atticus wants to claim Jem did it in self-defense. Heck insists that Boo was the one who did it, but says it would be a "sin" to bring such a shy man into the public eye, suggesting that Ewell simply killed himself. Atticus is morally opposed to this, but Scout is in favor of it. She says it would be like shooting a mockingbird, harkening back to the title of the novel.
Allusions
Luke 9:60. In the King James Version of the novel, the full verse reads: "Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God." Heck alludes to this verse when he says "let the dead bury the dead," meaning, let's put the matter to rest and end the cycle of violence.
Symbols
Mockingbirds. In previous chapters, we've seen how both Tom Robinson and Atticus can be figured as symbolic mockingbirds, persecuted in spite of their innocence. Here, Scout makes it clear that Boo Radley is another mockingbird and that, though he has, in fact, committed a crime (that of killing Ewell), his intentions were so honorable that he remains innocent of any wrongdoing. Heck even says, "I never heard tell that it's against the law for a citizen to do his utmost to prevent a crime." He's the sheriff and thus has the authority to sweep the truth under the rug in this case, but under different circumstances (for instance, if Boo were African American like Tom), that wouldn't have been a possibility. The various symbolic mockingbirds demonstrate how different innocence is to people of different races.
Themes
Heroism. From the theme of courage comes the theme of heroism, which we saw in a nascent form back in Chapter 10, when Atticus had to shoot the rabid dog Tim Johnson. Here, Boo becomes a hero by quite literally saving Scout and Jem's lives and protecting them from Ewell. His heroism appears to come out of nowhere, fueled not by a sense of morality (like Atticus's) but by his affection for the Finch children, with whom he has developed a friendship almost without their knowledge. It takes a moment for Scout to understand what happened or why Boo saved her, but in the end she feels an enormous amount of gratitude for him. He's perhaps the greatest hero in the novel.
Innocence. This is the last we see of this theme, which has run its course throughout the novel. Ewell's death raises the question of what to do with Boo, the innocent man who acted like a hero. Like Atticus, Boo's innocence is twofold: he doesn't deserve to be vilified by the public, and his intentions are entirely honorable. Unlike Tom and Atticus, Boo is protected from the public, and he's able to go home without anyone besides Heck Tate and the Finches knowing who he is. In the end, he's the only character whose innocence remains intact after the traumatic events of the novel.
Sin. Many characters have used the word "sin," defining it variously as: killing a mockingbird, killing a disabled person, and bringing a shy man into the public eye. Here, Heck Tate's insistence that it would be a sin to spotlight Boo underscores that when we sin we're making a choice (either to do the right thing or not). However, when we consider the fact that people define "right and wrong" differently, it becomes clear that, like morality, "sin" can be relative. Some people would ardently disapprove of Heck's actions. Others would agree. Scout is one of the latter, and as the reader we are meant to side with her.
Expert Q&A
What does Scout mean in chapter 30 of To Kill a Mockingbird when she says, "Well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird, wouldn't it?"
Scout has heard her father use this phrase before and has come to learn it refers to innocent people who should not be harmed. Scout uses this phrase herself when arguing that Boo should not be jailed for Bob Ewell's death, since Boo was only trying to save Scout and Jem.
Why does Heck Tate lie at the end of Chapter 30 in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Heck Tate lies at the end of Chapter 30 in To Kill a Mockingbird to protect Boo Radley. He wants to spare Boo, a fragile and reclusive individual, from the public scrutiny and potential trauma of a trial. Tate believes exposing Boo to the limelight for his heroic act would be a sin, violating the novel's theme of not harming those who do good.
In chapter 30 of To Kill a Mockingbird, what evidence does Heck Tate tamper with?
In Chapter 30 of To Kill a Mockingbird, Heck Tate tampers with a switchblade knife. He removes it from the scene to cover up Boo Radley's involvement in saving Scout and Jem, claiming instead that Bob Ewell fell on his own kitchen knife. Tate insists he took the switchblade from a drunk man downtown, though it's implied Ewell was armed with it during the attack.
Why does Heck Tate hide the truth about Bob Ewell's death in chapter 30?
Heck Tate hides the truth about Bob Ewell's death to protect Boo Radley from unwanted attention. Boo killed Ewell while defending Jem and Scout, but as a shy, reclusive person, Boo would suffer from public scrutiny. Tate believes revealing Boo's heroics would harm him, likening it to "shooting a mockingbird." Instead, Tate decides to say Ewell fell on his knife, thus sparing Boo from the town's spotlight.
What literary devices are used in chapter 30 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
In Chapter 30 of To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee employs several literary devices, including alliteration, idioms, repetition, simile, and symbolism. Alliteration is used in the phrase "the same shy smile," while idioms like "from the bottom of my heart" and "let the dead bury the dead" appear in Atticus and Mr. Tate's dialogue, with repetition for emphasis. A simile describes the darkness as "black as ink," and the mockingbird symbolizes innocence, highlighted by Scout's comparison to shooting a mockingbird.
In chapter 30 of To Kill a Mockingbird, how did Dr. Reynolds' greeting influence Scout's perception of Boo?
Dr. Reynolds' casual greeting of Boo Radley influences Scout's perception by normalizing Boo's presence. His nonchalant remark, "Evenin', Arthur," makes Scout feel more at ease with Boo, as it humanizes him and suggests familiarity. This relaxed attitude helps Scout see Boo as a regular person rather than a mysterious figure. Consequently, Scout treats Boo with kindness and respect, illustrating Aunt Alexandra's positive influence on her behavior.
What lesson does Scout teach Atticus in Chapter 30 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
In Chapter 30, Scout teaches Atticus that Boo Radley, who saved her and Jem, should be protected from public attention. When Atticus worries about Jem being implicated in Bob Ewell's death, Scout suggests that exposing Boo would be like "shooting a mockingbird," highlighting Boo's need for privacy. This lesson emphasizes empathy and understanding, as Scout recognizes Boo's sensitive nature and the importance of shielding him from unwanted scrutiny.
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