What are the key events from Chapters 1–7 in To Kill a Mockingbird?

The key events from the beginning of To Kill a Mockingbird focus on Jem and Scout’s character development.

If you are creating a plot line of chapters 1 to 7 of To Kill a Mockingbird, you should include these events: Scout and Jem meet Dill, Jem goes back for his pants and finds that Boo Radley has mended them, and Boo Radley leaves gifts for Jem and Scout in the tree until Nathan Radley plugs the whole with cement.

When Scout and Jem meet Dill, the book really gets off the ground.  Dill is the one who is most interested in Boo Radley, who becomes important to the children’s lives from that point on.  The importance of this is demonstrated in Scout’s introductory paragraphs, when she explains where it all started.

He said it began the summer Dill came to us, when Dill first gave us the idea of making Boo Radley come out. (ch 1)

Clearly this event is important, since it is where things started.

Next, Jem going to get his pants is important.  Scout and Jem have a disagreement about whether or not he should go retrieve his pants when he loses them on the Radley porch. 

He blew out his breath patiently. "I- it's like this, Scout," he muttered. "Atticus ain't ever whipped me since I can remember. I wanta keep it that way." (ch 6)

Scout does not understand why Jem would risk his life, but the reader realizes that it is a sign of maturity that Jem does not want Atticus disappointed in him.  When Jem realizes that Boo Radley has mended his pants to keep him from getting into trouble, we see a different side of Boo.

Finally, the various gifts the children find in the tree are important.  At first, the children do not know who the gifts are from.  When they realize that the gifts are overtures of friendship from Boo Radley, they are saddened when Nathan plugs the hole.

When we went in the house I saw he had been crying; his face was dirty in the right places, but I thought it odd that I had not heard him. (ch 7)

This incident demonstrates Jem’s empathy for Boo, which is not fully developed in Scout yet.  Jem is more mature, and Scout is maturing.

What is the main point of chapter 1 in To Kill a Mockingbird?

In chapter 1, we are introduced to Scout's world, and our appetite is also whetted to find out the story behind Jem's broken arm.

The young Scout's universe includes her father, Atticus, her older brother, Jem, and the black maid, Calpurnia, a mother substitute to Scout because her real mother died when she was two. It also encompasses the immediate neighborhood around Scout's house and the larger community of Maycomb, a sleepy town in Alabama during the Great Depression. Scout, recounting as an adult a story that happened to her as a child, plugs into the memories of a generation of adults who would also be her age and would themselves be transported back to their own memories of the world she is evoking. We are also introduced to Dill and to Boo Radley, characters important to the novel's unfolding.

As significant as what's said in this chapter is what is left unsaid. Although Jem's damaged arm is intimately connected to the Tom Robinson trial, we learn nothing about that yet. In this chapter, Harper Lee is specifically introducing us to the world Scout occupied before the trial interrupted her childhood.

Chapter 1 is the narrative exposition of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Important information regarding the novel's main characters, setting, historical context, and plot are introduced throughout the exposition. In Chapter 1, we read that Jean Louise "Scout" Finch is the narrator of the novel who begins to tell the story explaining how her brother Jem broke his elbow. Scout gives a brief history on her family's background by explaining how Simon Finch immigrated and settled in Maycomb, Alabama. Scout provides the audience with details regarding her father's background and gives a description of the town of Maycomb, which is the setting of the novel. The audience learns about the Finch family dynamics throughout the first chapter and is introduced to Scout's friend, Dill Harris. The story begins the summer when Dill arrives in Maycomb. We read about the rumors surrounding the Finch's neighbor Boo Radley, which is essential to the plot of the story, and gain an understanding of how the children feel about him. Harper Lee introduces the main characters, describes the setting of the novel, and begins to set the plot in motion throughout the first chapter of To Kill a Mockingbird. 

What is the main point of Chapter 8 in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Chapter 8 in To Kill a Mockingbird gives us a peek into two major thematic ideas.  To recap the chapter, snow comes to Maycomb, and it’s a shocking but wonderful surprise for Jem and Scout.  School is cancelled, and Jem tries to make a snowman out of mud and the thin layer of snow.  That night, it turns bitterly cold and Miss Maudie’s house catches on fire and burns down.  Since Miss Maudie lives next door to the Finches, Jem and Scout are told to go down and wait in front of the Radley house to be safe.  While they are watching the fire, Boo Radley puts a blanket around Scout’s shoulders to keep her warm.  Scout is unaware that he did this and gets scared when Atticus figures out that it is Boo who gives her the blanket.  Jem also confesses to Atticus about their antics trying to see Boo.  He tells him about the cemented knothole in the tree and his torn pants.

This chapter is significant because the odd winter weather signifies something bad or significant is going to happen.  Mr. Avery even blames Scout and Jem that the snow is due to them being bad kids.  The unseasonable winter weather foreshadows a change in not only Maycomb but in the children as well.  From this chapter on, the mood and tone of the novel changes.  No longer is the book about two children playing in Maycomb.  The novel becomes a more adult book with the trial of Tom Robinson and the racist actions of Bob Ewell.

Another purpose the chapter serves is to give us another glimpse at Boo.  Harper Lee has been giving us hints and clues about Boo throughout the subsequent chapters, but Boo covering up Scout and protecting her from the cold really tells us something about his kindness and character. 

What events occur in Chapter 12 of To Kill A Mockingbird?

The Finch children go to Calpurnia's church.

At the beginning of the chapter, Scout is worried about her brother Jem because he is acting strangely.  They seem to have grown apart.  He eats a lot, and seems to act more like an adult.  Scout finds this disturbing.

Scout is even more depressed when Dill does not come as he normally does for the summer.  Instead he sends a picture of himself with his new father.  The state legislature is called into emergency session, and Atticus has to leave for two weeks.  Scout is all alone.

Since Atticus is away, Calpurnia takes Scout and Jem to church with her.  She does not trust them to go to church alone, because there was an incident with some kids at church unsupervised before.  Cal makes sure the kids are cleaned up well, and fusses over their clothes.  She wants to make a good impression.

When they arrive, they are greeted by Lula, a woman at Calpurnia’s First Purchase church (called so because they bought it themselves), who accosts Cal and the children.  She is not happy that Cal brought white children to her church.  While most people are respectful and polite to the Finches, Lula is plain rude.  Cal defends them.

"They's my comp'ny," said Calpurnia. Again I thought her voice strange: she was talking like the rest of them.

"Yeah, an' I reckon you's comp'ny at the Finch house durin' the week." (Ch. 12)

Although Lula says that the whites have their church and the blacks have theirs, Cal comments that it is the same God.

Scout is surprised at Cal’s simple speech when she talks to Lula.  Although Cal is educated, she codeswitches when she is among the people at church.  In order to fit in and not seem pretentious, she talks the same way they do. 

Scout is also surprised that no one at the church other than Cal and her son Zeebo can read.  Cal got her education from the Finches, but it is rare among her population.  The black church sings hymns through a method called “linin’” where the person who knows how to read reads the line and the others repeat it.

At the church, Reverend Sykes collects money for Helen Robinson, reminding everyone that with Tom Robinson’s legal troubles the family needs help.  This puts the Robinson case in broader perspective, and reminds the reader that he has a family too.  Cal will not allow the Finch children to contribute.

On the porch when the children return they find Aunt Alexandra.

I looked down the street. Enarmored, upright, uncompromising, Aunt Alexandra was sitting in a rocking chair exactly as if she had sat there every day of her life. (Ch. 12)

This is significant, because it demonstrates that a change is about to occur in Scout and Jem’s home life.  Atticus did not want to go off and leave his children alone for long, and with the trial coming Alexandra wanted to be there to be an influence for them.

What significant events occur in chapter 22 of To Kill a Mockingbird?

The children are affected by the guilty verdict leveled at Tom Robinson, but Jem seems most affected. His is angry and upset that such an injustice could occur. The black citizens of Maycomb bring food to the Finch household to show their appreciation. Meanwhile, Miss Maudie tries to help Jem see the positive things that have occurred such as Atticus being appointed Tom's lawyer when the judge could have just assigned a public defender who didn't care. She also addressed the length of time the jury took for a conviction, which showed that there were some people who didn't immediately rush to convict. And while that is all positive, the children are also informed that Bob Ewell attacked Atticus, spitting in his face and swearing revenge.

eNotes has some great resources for further information.

What events occur in Chapter 23 of To Kill a Mockingbird?

The chapter begins with the account of how Bob Ewell spit in Atticus’s face and threatened him, and his only reaction was to say he wished Bob Ewell did not chew tobacco.  The children are frightened because Ewell seems to be holding a grudge, but Atticus is convinced that the man is all talk and that he has had his fun.

“Jem, see if you can stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility at that trial, if he had any to begin with. The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does. …” (Ch. 23) 

The conversation turns to Tom Robinson’s appeal.  Rape is punishable by the death sentence in Alabama.  Atticus believes that Robinson has a chance, but the first trial was not fair due to his race.  Atticus and Jem debate circumstantial evidence and reasonable doubt.  Atticus tries to convince Jem that the system isn’t perfect but is hard to change. 

The conversation changes to class.  Aunt Alexandra explains to Scout that Walter Cunningham and his family are not suitable for her company.  She calls them “trash.”  This supports Alexandra’s viewpoint that the Finches are superior.  Later, Jem tries to explain it to Scout. 

“…There’s four kinds of folks in the world. There’s the ordinary kind like us and the neighbors, there’s the kind like the Cunninghams out in the woods, the kind like the Ewells down at the dump, and the Negroes.” (Ch. 23) 

Scout struggles to understand the difference between the Cunninghams and the Finches.  Jem explains that “Background doesn’t mean Old Family.”  The Finches are better because they are landowning and have the right background.  

Jem tells Scout that he is beginning to understand Boo Radley. He does not stay in his house because he has to.  He stays inside because he wants to.

What are five major events in To Kill a Mockingbird?

When considering five major events in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, one might focus on those that contributed the most to a major theme of the story, such as the loss of social innocence in Scout and Jem, as well as the fact that the book is a bildungsroman—a coming of age story. I would ask myself what events contributed most to the children learning about the world's messes and how there are no easy answers to why people act the way they do.

First of all, one of the biggest mysteries for the children is Boo Radley. Is he a monster or not? During the first summer, the children act out stories about Boo and even spy on him. After the episode involving the house fire, Jem realizes the following:

"but Atticus, I swear to God he ain't ever harmed us, he ain't ever hurt us, he coulda cut my throat from ear to ear that night but he tried to mend my pants instead ... he ain't ever hurt us, Atticus—"

[ ... ]

"Thank who?" I asked.

"Boo Radley. You were so busy looking at the fire you didn't know it when he put the blanket around you." (72)

Next, there is a big change for Scout when Aunt Alexandra comes to live with the family in chapter 13. She comes because Atticus knows the upcoming trial will take a lot out of his time and energy, but also probably because he knows that the children need a female family member who can teach them the ways of society—especially Scout, who "needs" to learn how to be a lady. She doesn't like it, but Scout learns about how white women behave through her aunt's example and through the social gatherings of the missionary circle at her house.

A third event that sheds light on Scout's maturing over the course of the novel. Scout goes from shouting out loud that Walter is crazy for pouring syrup on his food to pondering the inconsistencies between what adults say and do. For example, Scout nails Ms. Gates's hypocrisy when she tells Jem the following:

"Well, coming out of the courthouse that night Miss Gates . . . was talking with Miss Stephanie Crawford. I heard her say it's time somebody taught 'em a lesson, they were gettin' way above themselves, an' the next thing they think they can do is marry us. Jem, how can you hate Hitler so bad an' then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home—" (247)

Another major event is, of course, the trial of Tom Robinson. Not only does this gather the whole community together under one roof to discuss complicated and intense issues, but it is a definite learning experience for the children. They see their father over the course of the year as he prepares for and then presents a strong case for a black man in front of a white jury. Then, when the case is lost, the children must deal with difficult feelings from which they must learn some hard lessons.

Finally, when Mr. Ewell attacks the children on Halloween, not only is Boo Radley permitted to prove his good nature by protecting the children, but Mr. Ewell meets karma at the end of his own knife. As justified as that might be, Jem doesn't escape unharmed, because his arm is mangled to the point that he never gets to play football competitively afterwards, which was a dream of his. That's a pretty major event in Jem's life, but Scout gets to meet her hero and walk him home that night, which solidifies the fact that just because someone thinks another person is a monster simply because they are different does not mean that they should be discriminated against. In fact, those people who seem different to one might wind up being a hero to many others.

What are three key events in the first five chapters of To Kill a Mockingbird?

In Chapter 2, Scout gets off to a rough start on her first day of school. During lunch, Miss Caroline notices that Walter Cunningham did not bring a bag lunch and offers him a quarter to buy one. When Walter refuses to take the quarter, Miss Caroline insists that he take it. Scout feels the need to explain why Walter will not accept the quarter and simply says, "Miss Caroline, he's a Cunningham" (Lee 26). Scout does not take into consideration the fact that Miss Caroline is not from Maycomb, and she has no idea about the Cunningham family's background. Scout mentions that she doesn't have the ability to explain what type of family Walter comes from and says, "You're shamin' him, Miss Caroline. Walter hasn't got a quarter at home to bring you, and you can't use any stovewood" (Lee 28). Miss Caroline gets fed up with Scout's behavior and punishes her by patting Scout's open palm with a ruler a half a dozen times. Later on, Scout tells her father about her rough first day, and he teaches her an important lesson in perspective.

In Chapter 4, the children's obsession with Boo and the Radley family leads to the creation of a game they call "One Man's Family." Jem plays the leading role of Boo and acts like a monstrous psychopath. Dill plays a variety of roles and Scout reluctantly joins the game. They act out numerous scenes which depict their rendition of Boo's life story. Most of the information they gather about Boo's life stems from neighborhood gossip, rumors, and legends. Dill and Jem both add interesting details to Boo's life story for dramatic effect. After Atticus catches them playing the game, Scout comments that she doesn't want to participate anymore.

In Chapter 5, Scout feels neglected by the boys and talks with Miss Maudie on her front porch. Scout asks Maudie whether she thinks Boo is still alive, and Maudie elaborates on Arthur "Boo" Radley's tragic life. Their conversation is significant because it is the first time Scout hears an accurate description of their reclusive neighbor. Maudie explains that Arthur was a kind child who unfortunately grew up with a radically religious father. After getting caught participating in minor adolescent pranks, Boo's father kept him inside the house. Scout finds out that many of the rumors Miss Stephanie is spreading are false, which opens the possibly that Boo Radley may not be the "malevolent phantom" every child thinks he is.

What are the three main events in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Certainly, the two major events of To Kill a Mockingbird are the trial of Tom Robinson and Bob Ewell's attack of Jem and Scout and their rescue by Boo Radley. Other important events include:

• Scout's first day at school.
• The children's abortive attempt to get a glimpse of Boo Radley on the night that Jem loses his pants.
• The various gifts that are found in the knothole of the Radley oak tree.
• The unseasonal snowfall which precedes Miss Maudie's house fire.
• Atticus shooting the rabid dog and the children learning of their father's former nickname.
• Jem's attack on Mrs. Dubose's camellias and her later death.
• Scout and Jem joining Calpurnia at her church.
• The death of Tom Robinson.

This may be a matter of opinion, because every teacher likes to focus on different aspects of a novel like this one. When I take a look with my students, I find the book to demonstrate innocence in several ways, but three in particular.

1. There is this storyline of Boo Radley throughout the book. From the beginning, the children find him to be the persona that the town believes: a phantom. The mystery of his character seems to turn out to be different than their original suspicions. In fact, he ends up being a hero.

2. The story of Tom Robinson's accusation and our experience of his innocence as facts are revealed throughout the trial and beyond seems to be a second major purpose of the novel.

3. Finally, the loss of the children's innocence as they discover the problem of humanity's judgement and Maycomb's prejudice occupies the majority of the book. This is important because these children seemed to live a life in which they can learn from the mistakes of the generation before them.

Your teacher may be looking for something different, but in short, this is one way to divide the book into 3 major happenings.

What are five important events from To Kill a Mockingbird?

Trying to Make Boo Come Out.  The children make many attempts to catch a glimpe of Boo, but their most dangerous adventure comes when they try to peak in through a window on the Radley's back porch. When a shadow suddenly appears--probably that of Boo--the children run for their lives; a shotgun blast follows, and Jem loses his pants on the Radley fence. It is their last attempt at making contact with Boo, because when Jem returns later that night for the pants, he finds them mended and waiting for him on the fence, compliments of Boo. Jem sees once and for all that Boo is not an unseen monster, but a friendly neighbor trying in his own way to be friends with the children.

The Mad Dog.  Believing Atticus is feeble and boring, Jem and Scout soon discover that their father has at least one special hidden talent. When the rabid dog, Tim Robinson, threatens the street on which the Finches live, Atticus is called into action. The children are stunned when Sheriff Tate hands the rifle to Atticus, and they are even more amazed when he puts a bullet between the dog's eyes. Formerly the finest marksman in the county, Atticus has never told his children about his skill with the gun, one of which he is not proud. When Miss Maudie explains that "People in their right minds never take pride in their talents," the children learn a lesson in humility, and Jem proudly announces that he wants to be just like Atticus--"... a gentleman, just like me."

The Trial of Tom Robinson.  The primary plot of the second half of the novel, Tom is convicted by an all-white jury despite his obvious innocence. It teaches the children about racial prejudice and the injustice that lies "in the secret courts of men's hearts." They also learn about the evil that lies within Bob Ewell, who is unsatisfied with seeing Tom pay for his own misdeeds with his life; he also wants to see Scout and Jem dead, too. 

The Missionary Circle Tea.  Scout learns about religious hypocrisy from the good ladies of the Missionary Circle, but she also takes a giant step toward becoming a lady when she decides to emulate the actions of Aunt Alexandra and Miss Maudie instead of the self-righteous "ladies" like Mrs. Merriweather and Mrs. Farrow. Scout decides "... if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I."

Boo Comes to the Rescue.  Scout has just about given up on her fantasy of ever meeting Boo Radley face to face, but after the children are rescued from the murderous hands of Bob Ewell on Halloween, she finds herself bursting into tears and telling him hello. Boo turns from ghoul to hero over the couse of the story, and Scout proudly escorts him home, never to see him again. She then stands on Boo's porch, looking out over the neighborhood as if standing in Boo's shoes and seeing things through Boo's eyes.

     Atticus was right. One day he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough.  (Chapter 31)

What events occur in the first chapter of To Kill a Mockingbird?

In this first chapter, Scout provides a lot of background information about Maycomb, the South, and her family history. Scout, as an adult, first mentions the incident in which Jem breaks his arm. This incident occurs, within the context of the novel, in the final chapters. Scout then backtracks to discuss the events that will lead up to this incident. She goes back to the time of Andrew Jackson to explain how her family came to settle in the Maycomb area. She talks about her ancestor, Simon Finch, and how he came from England to settle in the South. Then she provides background information about her father, noting how he attended law school and put his brother through medical school. Scout ends these introductions by saying that Atticus is related by blood or marriage to everyone in Maycomb. She says this, perhaps an exaggeration, to show how her family has a long history in this area. 

Scout talks a bit about Maycomb and how her mother died when she was two years old. She introduces a lot of the people in Maycomb, particularly those she interacts with the most. These include the Radleys, Mrs. Dubose, Jem, and Dill. The remainder of the chapter is devoted to the children's infatuation with Boo Radley. Dill dares Jem to knock on the Radley's front door. Eventually, Jem takes the dare. He runs to the door, smacks it with his hand and then runs back to his own porch. The chapter ends with description of the Radley house as it looks just after Jem's raid: 

The old house was the same, droopy and sick, but as we stared down the street we thought we saw an inside shutter move. Flick. A tiny, almost invisible movement, and the house was still. 

What major events occur in To Kill a Mockingbird?

There are too many important events in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird to outline; however, there are several that might be considered.

It is important to note the connection that the children make with Arthur “Boo” Radley, as evidenced by his leaving presents for them in the tree. This connection becomes important later on to explain why Arthur helps Jem when he loses his pants, protects Scout by placing a blanket around her shoulders, and ultimately saves Jem’s and Scout’s lives when Bob Ewell attacks them. All of these events indicate that Arthur is not the menace that Maycombers have come to call him.

In addition, Atticus defends Tom both in and out of the courtroom. First, he stands guard to protect Tom from harm when the townspeople want to kill him for a crime they believe he committed. Then, Atticus shows that Tom is innocent and that the real criminal is Bob. His closing argument is quite noteworthy. Also important to the book is the aftermath of the verdict. The children become angry and disillusioned, which highlights the pain caused by ignorant and racist attitudes but also sparks some hope that they will grow up and make changes in society.

Another worthy event might be Jem’s reading to Mrs. Dubose to repay destroying her flowers. Atticus imposes what Jem sees as a punishment in order to teach a valuable lesson about strength under adversity. Additionally, Aunt Alexandra’s missionary group teaches a lesson about the hypocrisy of society as Miss Maudie stands up for her friends.