and in the process, they dehumanize him. Later in the story, Boo Radley rescues Jem andScout, and the moral is that we should not judge or alienate people simply because we do not understand them.

In chapter 3, Walter Cunningham Jr. is eating with Atticus, Jem, and Scout. Walter pours syrup all over his meat and vegetables, and Scout protests that this is a strange thing to do. Calpurnia, the family's housekeeper, is furious with Scout, and she tells him,

There's some folks who don't eat like us ... but you ain't called on to contradict 'em at the table when they don't. That boy's yo' comp'ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear? ... Yo' folks might be better'n the Cunninghams but it don't count for nothin' the way you're disgracin' 'em.

Calpurnia here is the voice of tolerance. She understands that Walter eats like he does because he has been brought up differently, and she tells Scout that it is not her place to judge anybody else just because they do things differently or have been brought up differently. Walter's family are also extremely poor, and Calpurnia doesn't like Scout behaving, as she puts it, "so high and mighty." Calpurnia reminds Scout that it is not by one's background that one should be judged, but by how one treats others, and especially by how one treats others from less fortunate backgrounds than one's own.

In chapter 5, we have another important quotation about tolerance and bigotry when Miss Maudie tells Scout,

sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whiskey bottle in the hand of—oh, of your father.

Miss Maudie is here referring to the prejudices and intolerance that some people justify with religion or, more specifically, with their reading of the bible. She is saying that somebody who is intolerant and prejudicial and who can rationalize their intolerance and prejudices with religion is far more dangerous than somebody who is made violent by drinking alcohol. Indeed, we see the consequences of religious intolerance all over the world today, with many people committing terrorist acts in the name of their religions.

CHAPTER 2.  I've always loved the final lines of this chapter concerning Scout's mixed feelings of sympathy toward her inexperienced teacher, Miss Caroline. Scout has been ridiculed by Miss Caroline for being able to read above grade level; she has had to endure Miss Caroline insult Atticus's teaching skills; she has been punished unfairly; and she has been "whipped" with a ruler. The unruly class causes another teacher to berate Miss Caroline, leaving the new teacher with her head buried in her arms. As the class breaks for lunch, Scout sees Miss Caroline "sink down in her chair."

Had her conduct been more friendly toward me, I would have felt sorry for her. She was a pretty little thing.  (Scout)

CHAPTER 3.  Certainly one of the most famous and important quotes of the novel comes following Scout's terrible first day at school. Atticus's advice to Scout deals with his philosophy about tolerance, and how if you try and put yourself in another person's place, one might better understand their reasoning.

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."  (Atticus, to Scout)

One of Harper Lee’s challenges in To Kill a Mockingbird is to characterize the town of Maycomb. The town is really like a character in its own right, along with all the other characters that make up the book. There is a very nice quote in chapter one that does a good job of introducing the reader to the town:

A day was twenty-four hours long but seemed longer. There was no hurry, for there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy and no money to buy it with, nothing to see outside the boundaries of Maycomb County.

From this quotation we get an idea of what life is like for the characters in Maycomb. Life is sleepy, they are poor, and the rest of the world might as well not exist. This is the setting in which Scout and Jem and Dill will grow up and form their views of the world. Atticus, fortunately, exists within this setting. He is able to help the children expand beyond the drowsy borders of Maycomb.

When you look for quotations in books, look for statements that mean something in the story, something that helps the reader understand the characters, or the setting, or the theme, or key parts of the plot. Most books have a number of quotations in every chapter that could be used. It’s easier than you think! Then just ask yourself what this tells you about the story, and that’s your explanation.

Give chapters two and three a try.

With its moral messages and bildungsroman form, Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird is replete with significant quotes. As Jem and Scout mature, their father, whom they fondly call by his first name, Atticus,  teaches his children both by word and by example; in addition, the children learn some things from observation and experience.

• Chapter One 

In her description of her neighborhood, Scout recounts that the Radley place is

...inhabited by an unknown entity the mere description of whom was enough to make us behave for days on end; Mrs. Dubose was plain hell."

Here Scout exhibits the prejudices of a child who has formed judgments based upon emotional responses, not unlike the manner in which those prejudices formed by adults are made. 

• Chapter Two

When Scout spends her very first day in school, she encounters unexpected attitudes and judgments. Having acquired the ability to read because she has always sat on her fathers lap as he reads the Mobile Register in the evenings, Scout does not realize that her ability to do so is unusual.

...somehow I had been wallowing illicitly in the daily papers.
....Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read.

These quotes are certainly truisms. So often children assume that just because things are done in their home a certain way that others do the same. Also, as another typical example of human nature, people do not appreciate what they have unless there is a threat or they lose that which they own.

• Chapter Three

After Scout returns home and relates what has transpired, telling Atticus of her scoldings by Miss Caroline, begging him not so send her back to school, Atticus advises her of a "simple trick" to getting along with others:

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."

This is, perhaps, the most significant quote of the novel. Learning to understand others and their perspectives on various matters helps people to co-exist peacefully. Scout repeats her father's lesson in the final chapter as she stands on the Radley porch after having acquired new perspectives.

• Chapter Five

Miss Maudie is much like a grandmother to Jem and Scout; they feel comfortable with her and enjoy her affection for them. One day Scout asks Miss Maudie about Boo Radley; she quietly advises Scout that the Radley's is a "sad house," adding,

"The things that happen to people we never really know. What happens in houses behind closed doors, what secrets---"

She encourages Scout to be kind in her thoughts because one never knows of a person's private miseries.

• Chapter Nine

Atticus talks one evening privately with his brother; however, he knows that Scout is eavesdropping. So, when Jack asks Atticus if he cannot withdraw as the defense attorney for Tom Robinson in what will be a contentious trial, Atticus replies for Scout to hear,

"...do you think I could face my children otherwise? ...I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all, without catching Maycomb's usual disease." [racial bias]

• Chapter Ten

In this chapter Atticus buys the children air-rifles and cautions them not to shoot at birds, but only at tin cans. 

"Shoot all the bluejays [they eat other birds' eggs] you want, if you can hit  'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird"

Atticus adds that mockingbirds sing all day and do not bother anything. In the novel, the mockingbird becomes the metaphor for innocent victims of society.

Later in this chapter, Miss Maudie tells the children that Atticus is "civilized in his heart." This phrase can also be extended to a lesson for the children of how they should emulate their father.

• Chapter Eleven

As tensions rise over the upcoming trial, and people hurl invectives at the children about their father, Atticus advises them that they must

"make the best of things, and the way we conduct ourselves when the chips are down--...maybe you'll look back on this [trial] with some compassion and some feeling that I didn't let you down. This case...is something that goes to the essence of a man's conscience."

He tells the children that others are entitled to their opinions, but

"before I can live with other folks, I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."

This last statement is certainly one of the most important morals of the novel. And, in the end, Jem and Scout do, indeed, look back and think that their father did not let them down because he acted upon his conscience.

In chapter 5, Scout spends some time with Miss Maudie on her porch and inquires about their reclusive neighbor, Boo Radley. When Miss Maudie contemplates what goes on behind the Radley doors, she mentions that there are secrets inside that home and people would have no way of knowing how Mr. Radley keeps Boo indoors. Scout responds by saying that Atticus never does anything inside the house that he wouldn't do outside and Maudie responds by saying,

"Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets."

Miss Maudie's comment illustrates that Atticus is a morally-upright, honest man with nothing to hide.

In chapter 6, the children raid the Radley yard and narrowly escape when Nathan Radley comes outside wielding a shotgun. During their escape, Jem is forced to leave his pants behind in order to crawl underneath the fence. Later that night, Jem decides to travel back to the Radley house to retrieve his pants, which is a dangerous mission. Despite his sister's protests, Jem demonstrates his respect and admiration for Atticus by telling Scout,

"I—it’s like this, Scout ... Atticus ain’t ever whipped me since I can remember. I wanta keep it that way."

At the beginning of chapter 9, Atticus has a conversation with Scout about representing Tom Robinson in the upcoming trial. When Scout asks if he will win the case, Atticus tells her that he will not. Scout wonders why her father would even attempt to defend Tom knowing that he will lose and Atticus illustrates his integrity, courage, and optimism by saying,

"Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win."

At the beginning of chapter 10, the children are playing with their air rifles and Atticus tells them that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Miss Maudie then elaborates on Atticus's comment by telling the children,

"Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird" (Lee, 93).

Throughout the novel, mockingbirds symbolically represent innocent, vulnerable beings in need of protection. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley both fit this description and are considered symbolic mockingbirds.

In chapter 11, Jem loses his temper when Mrs. Dubose makes a derogatory comment about his father and ends up destroying her camellia bush. As punishment, Atticus makes Jem read to Mrs. Dubose for two hours each day for an entire month. One evening, Scout asks her father the definition of "nigger-lover." She also asks Atticus if he is one and Atticus responds by saying,

"I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody ... I’m hard put, sometimes—baby, it’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn’t hurt you."

“[Sometimes] the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whiskey bottle in the hand of—oh, of your father.” (5)

Sometimes the most pious people are the most destructive.  Since religion was used as an excuse for racial prejudice and discrimination, this is an important statement.

As Atticus had once advised me to do, I tried to climb into Jem’s skin and walk around in it. (7)

You can’t really understand why another person does something unless you put yourself in the person’s place.

"[If] I didn’t [defend Tom Robinson] I couldn’t hold up my head in town"(9)

Atticus explains to Scout that he is defending Tom Robinson because he feels it is the right thing to do.  It is an indication that to Atticus, a person’s moral code is more important than facing community condemnation.

I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all, without catching Maycomb’s usual disease. Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don’t pretend to understand… I just hope that Jem and Scout come to me for their answers instead of listening to the town. I hope they trust me enough.” (9)

Atticus is worried that his children will be infected with the town’s racist notions.  He wants them to learn from his example, and knows that it will be difficult for them to fight off society’s influences.

Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird. (10)

This quote from Atticus is one of the most famous in the book.  Literally and metaphorically, it means that people tend to go after the weak, even though the weak often make the most contribution.

“Well now, Miss Jean Louise,” she said, “still think your father can’t do anything? Still ashamed of him?” (10)

The children are ashamed of Atticus until he shows considerable courage and skill when shooting the mad dog.  This demonstrates that people are not always what they seem.

This case, Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience—Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man.” (11)

Again, Atticus demonstrates that while he is wrestling with the trouble the case is causing his family, he is still upholding his own moral code.  He tells her that, “the one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”

I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.  ... She was the bravest person I ever knew.” (11)

This quote demonstrates how physical and emotional courage are both two sides of the same coin, and sometimes courage is shown in unexpected ways.

“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.” (12)

Race barriers work both ways.  It's also an example of Calpuria being educated, but acting differently with uneducated people in order to fit in.

Dill was becoming something of a trial anyway, following Jem about. He had asked me earlier in the summer to marry him, then he promptly forgot about it. He staked me out, marked as his property, said I was the only girl he would ever love, then he neglected me. I beat him up twice but it did no good, he only grew closer to Jem. (chapter 5)

Dill Harris could tell the biggest ones I ever heard. Among other things, he had been up in a mail plane seventeen times, he had been to Nova Scotia, he had seen an elephant, and his granddaddy was Brigadier General Joe Wheeler and left him his sword. (chapter 5)

In the above two quotes, Harper Lee paints a portrait of Dill as a fanciful, mischievous, and mercurial character. Dill is prone, of course, to melodramatic hyperbole. He tells Scout that she is the only girl for him but disappoints her in becoming Jem's lackey. Of course, Dill is just a child seeing the world through his own limited life experience. However, we can all agree that Dill is sensitive, creative, and unorthodox.

Later in the story, it is Dill who cries at how Mr. Gilmer browbeats Tom Robinson during cross-questioning. Dill's sensitivity is notable and highlights his ability to relate emotionally to Tom's humiliation.

“What is it, Dill?” asked Atticus.
“Ah—I won ‘em from him,” he said vaguely.
“Won them? How?”

Dill’s hand sought the back of his head. He brought it forward and across his forehead. “We were playin‘ strip poker up yonder by the fishpool,” he said.

Jem and I relaxed. The neighbors seemed satisfied: they all stiffened. But what was strip poker?

We had no chance to find out: Miss Rachel went off like the town fire siren: “Doo-o Jee-sus, Dill Harris! Gamblin‘ by my fishpool? I’ll strip-poker you, sir!” (chapter 6)

In the above quotes, Harper Lee highlights Dill's loyalty to Jem and Scout. Despite his fear of being in trouble with Miss Rachel, Dill speaks up for Jem. What Dill says, however, is characteristic of his penchant for creative hyperbole. Yet, although Dill has played fast and loose with the truth, he endears us to him with his display of loyalty to Jem. Again, Dill's sensitivity to others and his ability to relate to them can be seen in his defense of Jem here, and later, of Tom Robinson.

In the above quotes, Harper Lee makes a strong social statement through a child's compassion: if we could all try to see life from another point of view, the world would be a better place. We see this statement reiterated through Atticus's words:

“First of all,” he said, “if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-”
“Sir?”
“-until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”

Chapter 5

"There are just some kind of men who---who're so busy worrying about the next world they've never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results." (Lee 60)

In this quote, Miss Maudie is explaining to Scout why Mr. Radley, who is a "foot-washing Baptist," is such a strict man. She tells Scout that "foot-washing Baptists" believe that anything that causes pleasure is a sin. Maudie attempts to explain how some people take the Bible literally and become callous towards others in their pursuit of faithfulness.

"Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets." (Lee 61)

Miss Maudie is describing Atticus' personality. Atticus is the morally upright character throughout the novel who is the epitome of integrity and honesty. Unlike many of the citizens in Maycomb who harbor prejudice behind their friendly dispositions, Atticus is the same regardless of where he is, or who he's around. ___________________________________________________________

Chapter 6

"Mr. Radley shot at a negro in his collard patch." (Lee 72)

This quote reflects the racist attitudes of the community members. No one is sure who infiltrated Nathan's yard, yet they automatically blame an African American. 

"Atticus ain't ever whipped me since I can remember. I wanta keep it that way." (Lee 75)

Jem displays his reverence for his father by risking his life to retrieve his pants to avoid a beating from Atticus. Jem looks up to his father and is afraid of disappointing Atticus.

"Sometimes I did not understand him, but my periods of bewilderment were short-lived. This was just beyond me." (Lee 75)

Scout struggles to understand why her brother is taking the risk of getting shot to retrieve his pants. This quote reflects Scout's naive childhood innocence by not fully understanding Jem's feelings towards his father.

In Chapter 7 and 8, Jem comes to understand Boo Radley but Scout is still wary of him.

One of the most memorable events from this chapter is the finding of the soap dolls.  Scout and Jem have been getting friendly with Boo Radley, but from a distance.  Boo leaves the soap dolls in the tree’s knothole for them to find.

I pulled out two small images carved in soap. One was the figure of a boy, the other wore a crude dress. Before I remembered that there was no such thing as hoo-dooing, I shrieked and threw them down. (Ch. 7)

Scout is still uncertain about Boo Radley.  As this chapter demonstrates, Jem is growing up and Scout is still in childhood.  Scout is afraid that the soap dolls are voodoo dolls at first.  However, the presence of the dolls is very touching.  It shows that Boo has been watching them and cares about them.

The children want to leave a thank you note in the hole, but when they go back to it someone has filled it with cement.  Nathan Radley is trying to prevent Boo from having further communication with the children.

When Scout finds a blanket on her shoulders during Miss Maudie’s fire, and doesn’t remember who put it there, Jem realizes that Boo Radley put the blanket there.  He gets upset, because he is afraid Atticus will report it to Nathan Radley and Boo will get in trouble.

“…Mr. Nathan put cement in that tree, Atticus, an‘ he did it to stop us findin’ things—he’s crazy, I reckon, like they say, but Atticus, I swear to God he ain’t ever harmed us, he ain’t ever hurt us…” (Ch. 8)

This quote demonstrates that Boo Radley is indeed a benevolent force.  It also shows that Jem is more mature than Scout.  Scout is afraid when she realizes that Boo put the blanket there.  There is plenty of evidence that Boo is a friend, but it takes Scout longer to connect the dots than Jem.

Much of Harper Lee's classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird, of course, involves the racism endemic to the fictional southern town in which the story takes place. So much a part of the culture of Lee's fictional town of Maycomb is the racism that permeates the atmosphere that one can't help but pause and reflect on Scout's description of her and Jem's efforts at constructing a snowman out of the relative paucity of snow that has unexpectedly fallen on this venue in the heart of the Deep South. Having failed to elicit much encouragement or advise from their father, Atticus, with regard to the process by which a snowman is traditionally built, the two siblings attempt to perform the task on their own. Because the level of snow is so minimal, however, Jem's efforts involve the presence of dirt in the otherwise pristine white snow. The presence of the dirt causes the snowman to appear to Scout as of African heritage, prompting the following observation: "Jem, I ain't ever heard of a nigger snowman."

Scout's seemingly innocent use of the highly pejorative "n" word speaks volumes of the depth of racism endemic to the society Lee depicts in her novel. With the trial of Tom Robinson, the physically disabled African American falsely accused of raping a white woman at the center of the novel's narrative, this use of the offensive word illuminates the sickness eating away at the core of the society Lee depicts. This otherwise innocuous passage, therefore, is illustrative of the racism endemic in the culture Lee describes.

I looked down and found myself clutching a brown woolen blanket I was wearing around my shoulders, squaw-fashion.

Scout narrates this line after Atticus asked why she was wearing a blanket that the Finch family certainly did not own. This line of questioning from Atticus aligned with much of the trouble the children recently experienced because they were repeated missing things or taking things from strange places and Atticus had been taking note. Since the children stood in front of the Radley's place, everyone jumps to the conclusion that Boo put it around her, but she was too distracted to notice. 

This is significant because although the children fear Boo, this situation demonstrates the paradoxical thought that Boo actually protects them. Furthermore, their perception of Boo is that he never emerges, even when they try to get him out. Here he comes out because of necessity and of his own choice. Ironically, that whom the children wanted to see was within a hand's reach, had they only known he was there. 

In chapter ten, Scout described how she and Jem found their father to be old and rather dull.  They found his occupation to be uninteresting.  Their father "did not do the things our schoolmates’ fathers did: he never went hunting, he did not play poker or fish or drink or smoke."  Instead, their father "sat in the living room and read."  

Atticus was sometimes strict with Jem and Scout. He told them that he did not want them shooting birds.  He especially never wanted them to shoot a mockingbird. He thought that such a thing was a sin. Scout asked Miss Maudie about this, and she agreed:

"Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy.  They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us.  That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird."

One day on a Saturday in February, Jem spotted an old dog behaving in a strange way.  This was a local dog named Tim Johnson.  They told Calpurnia, and she realized that it was a mad dog.  She called Atticus from his office, and he came immediately with the sheriff.  With much hesitation, Atticus shot the mad dog and killed it with a single shot.  Jem and Scout were amazed.  They found out that their father had, long ago, been called "one-shot" because of his skills in marksmanship.  Jem was thoroughly impressed, and his opinion of his father was transformed.

In chapter eleven, Scout described how she and Jem hated mean old Mrs. Dubose.  On multiple occasions, she was rude to both Scout and Jem.  Atticus always defended her.  One day, Scout and Jem were walking by her house when she insulted them.  She also insulted their father for defending Tom Robinson, a black man.  This was the final straw for Jem and he became enraged.  He took Scout's

"baton and ran flailing wildly up the steps into Mrs. Dubose’s front yard, forgetting everything Atticus had said, forgetting that she packed a pistol under her shawls."

Jem was determined to get back at Mrs. Dubose for the mean things she said about Atticus.  He decided to destroy something that was important to her.  Filled with rage, Jem

"did not begin to calm down until he had cut the tops off every camellia bush Mrs. Dubose owned, until the ground was littered with green buds and leaves. He bent [Scout's] baton against his knee, snapped it in two and threw it down."

When Atticus found out about this, he made Jem apologize.  Jem did so, and he also promised to clean up the mess and help the plants to grow back.  Atticus still insisted that Jem spend two hours almost every day reading to Mrs. Dubose.  He was to do this for a month.  Jem completed this task, and slowly his opinion of Mrs. Dubose began to change slightly.  After Mrs. Dubose died, Atticus told his children that she "was a morphine addict."  He explained that as Jem was reading to her, she was trying to break her addiction.  She was trying to go longer and longer without morphine, so she would be "beholden to nothing and nobody."  When she died, she did so free "as the mountain air."  

Mrs. Dubose left Jem a camellia flower. Atticus explained that this "was her way of telling [him]—everything’s all right now, Jem, everything’s all right."  Atticus finally told Jem what he really thought of Mrs. Dubose:

"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand.  It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.  You rarely win, but sometimes you do.  Mrs. Dubose won, all ninety-eight pounds of her.  According to her views, she died beholden to nothing and nobody.  She was the bravest person I ever knew."

1. Shortly after entering First Purchase African M.E. Church, one of the prejudiced members questions Calpurnia about bringing Jem and Scout. Lula asks,

"I wants to know why you bringin‘ white chillun to nigger church." (Lee, 120)

2. Following the sermon, Scout asks several questions concerning the Robinson family and Tom's upcoming case. After Cal attempts to explain why Tom is on trial, Scout says, 

"Well, if everybody in Maycomb knows what kind of folks the Ewells are they’d be glad to hire Helen . . . what’s rape, Cal?" (125)

3. Jem finds it fascinating that Calpurnia lives a "modest double life" and asks why she speaks informally around her community members when she knows that it isn't right. Calpurnia responds by saying,

"Suppose you and Scout talked colored-folks’ talk at home it’d be out of place, wouldn’t it? Now what if I talked white-folks’ talk at church, and with my neighbors? They’d think I was puttin‘ on airs to beat Moses." (127)

4. In chapter 13, Aunt Alexandra moves into the Finch household and Scout attempts to describe her aunt. Scout mentions that Alexandra is obsessed with heredity and judges individuals based on the families they come from. Scout mentions that according to Aunt Alexandra,

Everybody in Maycomb, it seemed, had a Streak: a Drinking Streak, a Gambling Streak, a Mean Streak, a Funny Streak. (131)

5. Towards the end of chapter 13, Aunt Alexandra convinces her brother to give his children a lesson regarding their family history. Atticus attempts to act serious and tells Jem and Scout,

"Your aunt has asked me to try and impress upon you and Jean Louise that you are not from run-of-the-mill people, that you are the product of several generations’ gentle breeding . . . " (134)

Scout in Love.  Dill has sent Scout a message: He will not be arriving in Maycomb this summer, and Scout is heartbroken that her "permanent fiance" is not there.

... summer was Dill... summer was the swiftness with which Dill would reach up and kiss me when Jem was not looking, the longings we sometimes felt for each other. With him, life was routine; without him, life was unbearable.  (Chapter 12)

First Purchase Church.  Maycomb's black citizens can never completely escape the dominance of the white man. Even their place of faith is compromised. Located in the black section of town known as the Quarters,

     Negroes worhipped in it on Sundays and white men gambled in it on weekdays.  (Chapter 12)

Calpurnia's Black and White Worlds.  Jem and Scout had only seen one side of Cal--that of the faithful Finch housekeeper. But they soon saw a different Cal when they accompanied her to church services in the Quarters.

     That Calpurnia led a modest double life never dawned on me. The idea that she had a separate existence outside our household was a novel one, to say nothing of her having command of two languages.  (Chapter 12)

Aunt Alexandra.  Alexandra's permanent visit was not entirely welcomed by everyone in town.

     Aunt Alexandra fitted into the world of Maycomb like a hand into a glove, but never into the world of Jem and me.  (Chapter 13)

Gentle Breeding.  Aunt Alexandra is a fanatic about family heritage and she badgers Atticus into explaining the importance of "gentle breeding" to the children. But when Scout is reduced to tears during his lecture, Atticus tells them to "Forget it."

     I know now what he was trying to do, but Atticus was only a man. It takes a woman to do that kind of work.  (Chapter 13)

One of the conflicts that becomes evident is classism among the Maycomb residents. When Aunt Alexandra comes to visit, Scout reflects,

I never understood her preoccupation with heredity. Somewhere, I had received the impression that Fine Folks were people who did the best they could with the sense they had, but Aunt Alexandra was of the opinion, obliquely expressed, that the longer a family had been squatting on one patch of land the finer it was. (chapter 13)

Since Scout has been raised by Atticus, she sees a person's character and not his economic status as the determining factor in being a "fine" person. In Scout's eyes, a family like the Cunninghams could therefore qualify as "fine folks." However, her views stand in opposition to Aunt Alexandra's, who wants Scout to believe herself innately better than people like the Cunninghams because the Finches have lived in Maycomb longer and have a higher socioeconomic standing in town.

When Dill arrives unexpectedly, Atticus handles the situation with his typical sense of calm and levelheaded parenting:

“Whoa, son,” said Atticus. “Nobody’s about to make you go anywhere but to bed pretty soon. I’m just going over to tell Miss Rachel you’re here and ask her if you could spend the night with us—you’d like that, wouldn’t you? And for goodness’ sake put some of the county back where it belongs, the soil erosion’s bad enough as it is.” (chapter 14)

I don't believe many parents would handle this particular situation so calmly; finding a runaway friend hiding under your own child's bed would likely send most parents into a frenzy of planning. This situation demonstrates the character that Atticus will take with him into Tom's trial, which will cause great conflict for his entire family. He is certain to let Rachel know that Dill is safe, but he also calmly smooths over Dill's fears and even jokes about his dirty appearance, lessening the tension in the room.

When the lynch mob shows up at Tom's cell, it is Scout who finds a way to disperse the tension in the crowd:

“Well, Atticus, I was just sayin‘ to Mr. Cunningham that entailments are bad an’ all that, but you said not to worry, it takes a long time sometimes … that you all’d ride it out together. …” I was slowly drying up, wondering what idiocy I had committed. (chapter 15)

Scout finds a way to show Mr. Cunningham that Atticus is not his enemy; in fact, Atticus has found ways to help him when the Cunninghams could not afford payment. Her efforts are effective, and the gang leaves without harming Atticus or Tom.

In chapter 15, Mr. Underwood's voice emerges from the darkness; it turns out he'd been covering Atticus with a gun from an upstairs window. It would be easy to classify him as a "good" character until the following chapter:

“You know, it’s a funny thing about Braxton,” said Atticus. “He despises Negroes, won’t have one near him.”

Local opinion held Mr. Underwood to be an intense, profane little man, whose father in a fey fit of humor christened Braxton Bragg, a name Mr. Underwood had done his best to live down. Atticus said naming people after Confederate generals made slow steady drinkers. (chapter 16)

Mr. Underwood is known as a racist, yet he also helps Atticus and Tom that night. This quote shows the inherent mix of both goodness and evil in humanity. Mr. Underwood is a complex man who is capable of both.

Aunt Alexandra shows up to live with her brother and his children in chapter 13. One of her biggest agendas is to teach Jem and Scout about their family history and how important the Finch name is to Maycomb County. In addition to this knowledge, she wants them to also learn to behave like a gentleman and a lady. She sends Atticus in to talk to the kids when her efforts don't seem to be helping them as she would like. Atticus says the following:

"Gentle breeding. . . She asked me to tell you you must try to behave like the little lady and gentleman that you are. She wants to talk to you about the family and what it's meant to Maycomb County through the years, so you'll have some idea of who you are, so you might be moved to behave accordingly" (133).

This passage is important because it is a big part of the children's life once Aunt Alexandra enters their life. There are many other discussions about "gentle breeding" and everything that goes with it throughout the book.

In chapter 14, there is a big shift in Jem and Scout's relationship. After a fight with Jem, Scout discovers that Dill has run away from his home in Meridian and is hiding under her bed. Scout sneaks into the kitchen to get him some food, but Jem tells Dill that he has to tell Atticus. Scout's description of what happened next is priceless:

"Dill's eyes flickered at Jem, and Jem looked at the floor. Then he rose and broke the remaining code of our childhood. He went out of the room and down the hall. 'Atticus,' his voice was distant, 'can you come here a minute, sir?'" (141).

Jem's growing up and acting like an adult. He tells Dill that he shouldn't worry his mother by running away. This is shocking for Scout and Dill to hear from a child because only adults talk that way. Jem is clearly changing, and as Scout so aptly puts it, "he broke" the childhood code of never snitching, which proves he will never be the same.

Next, in chapter 15, a lynch mob shows up to the jail for Tom Robinson on the night before his trial. The children show up to check on Atticus and Scout decides to talk to Mr. Cunningham about his son that she knows and his legal problems. Scout does not know what she's saying or doing, but she rambles on long enough to get Mr. Cunningham to change the mob's mind.

"Atticus said nothing. I looked around and up at Mr. Cunningham, whose face was equally impassive. Then he did a peculiar thing. He squatted down and took me by both shoulders. 'I'll tell him you said hey, little lady,' he said. Then he straightened up and waved a big paw. 'Let's clear out,' he called. 'Let's get going, boys'" (154).

This is a great moment because a child tames an angry mob of men. Scout not only tames the men, but they stand down and leave so that Tom lives and is able to show up for his trial the next day. The reactions on everyone's faces shows just how ironic the situation is--so much so, that there's nothing else to do but go home.

Finally, in chapter 16, Jem expresses his concern for Atticus and that Mr. Cunningham would have hurt him that night by the jail. Jem is also surprised that Atticus would call Mr. Cunningham a friend after that. Atticus responds as follows:

"Mr. Cunningham's basically a good man. . . he just has his blind spots along with the rest of us. . . but son, you'll understand folks a little better when you're older. A mob's always made up of people, no matter what. Mr. Cunningham was part of a mob last night, but he was still a man. Every mob in every little Southern town is always made up of people you know--doesn't say much for them, does it?" (157).

This passage has to do with Atticus's credo. He tries to see things from other people's perspectives before judging them. He usually doesn't criticize them even then. There are so many learning and growing experiences in these passages that anyone can apply each on to his or her life and recognize its true impact in life and the world around us.

Chapter 14 has a lot to do with relationships, and what the characters think of each other. It deals with Calpurnia's relationship with the family, Scout's relationship with Jem, Scout's relationship with Atticus and Calpurnia, and Dill's relationship with his family.

 When Aunt Alexandra wants to get rid of Calpurnia because she thinks it is not good for Scout to go to Calpurnia's home, Atticus tells her,

"Alexandra, Calpurnia's not leaving this house until she wants to.  You may think otherwise, but I couldn't have got along without her all these years.  She's a faithful member of this family and you'll simply have to accept things the way they are." (pg 137)

He also explains to her,

"....I don't think the children've suffered one bit from her having brought them up.  If anything, she's been harder on them in some ways then a mother would have been...she'd never let them get away with anything, she's never indulged them the way most colored nurses do.  She tried to bring them up according to her lights, and Cal's lights are pretty good ---- and another thing, the children love her." (pg 137)

When Scout and Jem have a fight, Scout gets philosophical and tells the readers that,

"His maddening superiority was unbearable these days.  he didn't want to do anything but read and go off by himself.  Still, everything he read he passed along to me,but with this difference: formerly, because he thought I'd like it; now, for my edification and instruction. (pg 138)

When Dill shows up after having run away from home, Scout thinks of her relationship with Atticus and Calpurnia.  She thinks,

".....what I would do if Atticus did not feel the necessity of my presence, help, and advice.  Why, he couldn't get along a day without me.  Even Callpurnia couldn't get along unless I was there.  They needed me." (pg 143)

Dill tells Scout of his relationship with his parents, and the reason he ran away.

"....they do get on a lot better without me.  I can't help them any.  They ain't mean.  They buy me everything I want, but it's now-you've-got-it-go-play-with-it. " 

Finally, Scout explains Dill to the reader.  She says,

"Beautiful things floated around in his dreamy head.  He could read two books to my one,but he preferred the magic of his own inventions.  He could add and subtract faster than lightning,but he preferred his own twilight world, a world where babies slept, waiting to be gathered like morning lilies." (pg 144)

The page numbers are from my edition of the book, but they should be close to the same page.

Chapter 15 of Harper Lee's novel brings a significant turning point in the reader's understanding of the high stakes involved in Tom Robinson's imprisonment and trial. Jem, being older, is more attuned than Scout is to the potential danger that their father faces for defending Robinson. Neither child seems aware, however, that Tom is not safe in jail. He is likely to become a victim of vigilantism. Their lack of knowledge about his danger may be because there have been no lynchings in and around Maycomb. Alternatively, Atticus may have shielded his children from learning of race-based murders.

When Atticus goes out one night, the Finch children and Dill are intrigued by his absence and go looking for him. Finding him outside the jail, they see a group of men approach Atticus and engage him in conversation. Still not understanding the men's intention but expecting to see a fight, Scout calls out and runs up to them. Shocked to see fear in her father's eyes, Scout is further upset when one of the men grabs Jem. After yelling at and kicking the man, she surveys the "sullen-looking...men." Spotting the father of her classmate Walter, Scout greets him and, getting no response, elaborates.

Hey, Mr. Cunningham. How's your entailment getting along?

Scout's precociousness, normally off-putting to adults, breaks the tension. Walter's father finally acknowledges her, and breaks up the group.

After they leave, Robinson speaks to Atticus from inside the jail. Atticus assures him that he is, at least temporarily, safe. He tells Robinson that

They won't bother you any more.

In chapter 15, Jem demonstrates his developing maturity. Scout mentions that her brother no longer engages with Dill and her in some of their activities. Additionally, Jem also seems to be more observant of the adult world and the interactions of his father with his sister, Alexandra.

After Scout overhears her father arguing with Aunt Alexandra, she seeks Jem in his room where he seems to be very pensive. Since she has heard her father arguing with Aunt Alexandra, she asks Jem about their confrontations.

 “Have they been at it?” I asked. 
“Sort of. She won’t let him alone about Tom Robinson. She almost said Atticus was disgracin‘ the family. Scout. . . I’m scared.”
“Scared’a what?”
“Scared about Atticus. Somebody might hurt him.”

Jem's anxiety for his father demonstrates his maturity, a maturity that later proves to be valuable. That evening, Atticus departs, saying that he will be gone for a while and everyone will probably be in bed when he returns. Later, Scout hears Jem stirring in his room. She asks Jem what he is doing, and when he tells her that he is going to look for Atticus, Scout insists upon accompanying him. Before they go downtown, they wake up Dill, and he eagerly goes along. The three children seek Atticus at his office in the bank building, but he is not there. Instead, he sits in a chair, propped against the jailhouse door. The cord and light that Atticus took with him are overhead as he reads his newspaper. Jem tells Scout and Dill that they can leave; he has just wanted to know where Atticus was. However, at that moment, the children hear cars pulling in near them. They run around and hide where they are out of sight. When Scout overhears her father talking with the men, he uses a phrase that he often says when playing checkers. Scout does not realize the danger, and she races to see her father. Jem hurries after her; Atticus tells Jem to go home and take Scout with him. 

Jem shook his head. As Atticus’s fists went to his hips, so did Jem’s, and as they faced each other I could see little resemblance between them: Jem’s soft brown hair and eyes, his oval face and snug-fitting ears were our mother’s, contrasting oddly with Atticus’s graying black hair and square-cut features, but they were somehow alike. Mutual defiance made them alike.

Significantly, Jem defies his father for the first time. Jem does so because he does not want Atticus to be alone as he faces the mob. Certainly, Scout cannot help but notice the maturation of her brother.

In the beginning of Chapter 15, Heck Tate and some community members drive to the Finch household to speak with Atticus. They begin discussing whether or not the Tom Robinson trial should get a change of venue, when Mr. Link Deas makes the comment to Atticus, "You've got everything to lose from this, Atticus, I mean everything." (Lee 195) Atticus responds with the significant quote,

"Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told." (Lee 195)

This quote explains Atticus' reasoning for defending Tom Robinson. Atticus is aware of the fact that he will lose this case because of the overwhelming prejudice of the Maycomb community, but he must preserve justice by exposing the truth. Atticus' goal in the Tom Robinson case is simply to reveal the truth to the community.

Towards the end of Chapter 15, the Old Sarum bunch has Atticus surrounded in front of Tom Robinson's jail cell. Scout surprises everyone when she runs into the middle of the mob, unaware of the precarious situation at hand. Scout seeks out a familiar face in Mr. Cunningham and attempts to make friendly conversation with him. Mr. Cunningham tries to ignore Scout after she tells him to say "hey" to his son Walter, and goes into detail about his entailment. He eventually gives Scout his attention and says,

"I'll tell him you said hey, little lady." (Lee 206)

After Mr. Cunningham acknowledges Scout, he tells the group of men to head out. This significant quote is the "ice-breaker" which ends the intense scene. Scout's innocent conversation makes Mr. Cunningham reflect on his actions, and his comment to Scout confirms that he made a noble decision.

"Things haven’t caught up with that one’s instinct yet. Let him get a little older and he won’t get sick and cry. Maybe things’ll strike him as being—not quite right, say, but he won’t cry, not when he gets a few years on him." (Lee, 205)

"She [Mayella] has committed no crime, she has merely broken a rigid and time-honored code of our society, a code so severe that whoever breaks it is hounded from our midst as unfit to live with." (Lee, 210)

"Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men’s hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed." (Lee, 245)

Two important quotes in To Kill A Mockingbird from chapters 17-25 are as follows:

In chapter 21, Scout and Jem are waiting in the courtroom to hear the jury's verdict in the case of Tom Robinson. Although Atticus has told Scout from the beginning that he is waging a losing battle in defending a black man against the charge of raping a white woman, the finality of the jury's verdict chimes like a death knell in the following quote. This makes it clear to Scout and readers that Tom will not experience the miracle of an acquittal:

Judge Taylor was polling the jury: “Guilty… guilty… guilty… guilty…”

In chapter 25, we learn of the casual way white Maycomb responds to Tom Robinson's death. After two day's they lose interest. Also, rather than try to understand Robinson as an individual, they use stereotypes about blacks they have learned that allow them to dismiss him as just another black criminal "'runnin‘ fit to beat lightnin’" to evade the law:

Maycomb was interested by the news of Tom’s death for perhaps two days; two days was enough for the information to spread through the county. “Did you hear about?… No? Well, they say he was runnin‘ fit to beat lightnin’…” To Maycomb, Tom’s death was typical.

I have provided you with one important quote from each of your requested chapters. A good rereading should provide you with some additional ones.

CHAPTER 17.  "I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin' on my Mayella." Bob Ewell's inflammatory remark put the courtroom in turmoil, and it took Judge Taylor "fully five minutes" to regain control.
CHAPTER 18.  "That nigger yonder took advantage of me an' if you fine fancy gentlemen don't wanta do nothin' about it then you're all yellow stinkin' cowards... the lot of you."  Mayella's final, emotional breakdown led to her storming from the courtroom, and Scout noted that she had never seen anyone show such hatred to her father as Mayella did when she ran from the stand.
CHAPTER 19.  "Yes, suh. I felt right sorry for her..."  This was Tom's biggest make on the stand--admitting that he, a black man, felt sympathy for a white woman.
CHAPTER 20.  "In the name of God, believe him."  These were Atticus' final words to the jury, but they did no good in the end.
CHAPTER 21.  "Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passin'."  Reverend Sykes' admonition to Scout showed the admiration that the African-Americans in the balcony--standing in unison--showed for Atticus.
CHAPTER 22.  "Tell them I'm very grateful... Tell them--tell them they must never do this again. Times are too hard."  Atticus tearfully responds to the gifts of food that he has received from Tom's supporters.
CHAPTER 23.  "I wish Bob Ewell wouldn't chew tobacco."  This was Atticus' humorous response to Ewell's spitting in his face after they had met on the street.
CHAPTER 24.  After all, if Aunty could act like a lady at a time like this, so could I.  Scout took a big step toward becoming a real lady when she followed her aunt's lead at the Missionary Circle tea after they had found out about Tom's death.
CHAPTER 25.  Mr. Underwood simple figured it was a sin to kill cripples, be they standing, sitting or escaping. He likened Tom's death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds...  The editorial by the owner of The Maycomb Tribune referred to the theme of innocence that the mockingbird played in the novel. 

Chapter 21:

In this chapter, the court proceedings of Tom Robinson, who has been put on trial for the rape and beating of Mayella Ewell, come to a conclusion. Despite Atticus's stunning revelation that the person who beat Mayella was left-handed and that Tom's left hand was mangled in an accident that has left it unusable, Tom is found guilty by the jury. This speaks to the legacy of racism that still runs Maycomb. Scout describes the experience of watching the guilty verdict come in as follows:

Chapter 22:

In this chapter, Jem reacts with shock to the guilty verdict. He ends up discussing the trial with Miss Maudie, who reassures Jem that things are never as bad as they seem and that Atticus, despite the loss, is doing important work—work that many choose to neglect:

Chapter 23:

Jem continues to discuss the court proceedings with Atticus, who explains that if the jury had been made up of eleven other boys just like Jem, Tom would have been found innocent. Atticus elaborates that something had come between the men on the jury and reason:

Chapter 24:

In this chapter, Atticus learns that Tom is dead after having been shot during an escape attempt from prison. Atticus recognizes that the guards still aren't capable of humanizing him:

Chapter 25:

In this chapter, Scout reflects on Tom's fate and the racism which dictated it:

These chapters focus on the events following the trial.  One of the impacts of the trial is that Bob Ewell blames Atticus for ruining his reputation.  Even though Mayella accused Tom Robinson of rape and he was convicted, Ewell hates Atticus for his role in parading the family’s dirty laundry in front of the whole city. 

Bob Ewell confronts Atticus in town and spits in his face.  This shows the depth of Ewell’s bitterness, but it also demonstrates Atticus’s personality.  Atticus remained calm and made a joke about the whole thing, and never took Ewell seriously. 

Mr. Ewell was a veteran of an obscure war; that plus Atticus’s peaceful reaction probably prompted him to inquire, “Too proud to fight, you nigger-lovin‘ bastard?” Miss Stephanie said Atticus said, “No, too old,” put his hands in his pockets and strolled on. (Ch. 23, p. 291) 

This quote is important because it demonstrates that Atticus is not willing to stoop to Bob Ewell’s level.  He is also not afraid. All he said was that he wished Ewell didn’t chew tobacco.  However, this quote is also significant because it foreshadows Ewell’s attack on the children. Look at these quotes of when his children want him to protect himself by carrying a gun. 

“You know he wouldn’t carry a gun, Scout. He ain’t even got one—” said Jem.

“You know he didn’t even have one down at the jail that night. He told me havin‘ a gun around’s an invitation to somebody to shoot you.” (Ch. 23, p. 292) 

This quote shows that even though Atticus is the best shot in town, he doesn’t use that skill often.  He shot the dog when he had to, to protect everyone, but he does not like guns and doesn’t even own one.  He doesn’t want to have to shoot someone, not even Bob Ewell. 

After Bob Ewell attacks Scout and Jem, Atticus and Heck Tate agree not to tell anyone that Boo Radley killed him.  Sherriff Tate makes the final decision. 

There’s a black boy dead for no reason, and the man responsible for it’s dead. Let the dead bury the dead this time, Mr. Finch. Let the dead bury the dead.” (Ch. 30, p. 369) 

They are trying to protect Boo Radley from the attention he would get, even though what he did was justified.  Radley is incredibly shy.  Atticus asks Scout if she understands, and she says that it would be “sort of like shootin‘ a mockingbird” (p. 370).  This demonstrates that Scout has developed an adult’s level of empathy.  She wants to protect Boo too. 

When Scout walks Boo Radley home, it is kind of like living out a fantasy.  She has spent all of her childhood wondering about him.  Radley is gentle, shy, and delicate.  Coming out of his house to save the children was a big deal for him.  After walking him home, Scout stands on his porch and relives her childhood from his point of view. 

Atticus was right. One time 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. (Ch. 31, p. 374) 

By standing literally in his place, Scout comes full circle.  She understands Boo Radley’s motivations even more.  She realizes that he cared quite a lot about her and her brother.  He watched them grow up, and was protective of them. 

(Note: Page numbers are from the fiftieth anniversary edition, and will vary by edition.)

In Chapter 30, Atticus and Sheriff Tate discuss and analyze Bob Ewell's attack. Atticus believes that Jem was responsible for Bob Ewell's death and says that he will refuse to cover it up. However, Sheriff Tate disagrees with Atticus and knows that Boo Radley stabbed Bob Ewell. Sheriff Tate implies that Boo was responsible for Bob's death, and he gives his reasoning as to why he will tell the community that Bob fell on his own knife. He explains to Atticus that the entire community would thank Boo for saving the children by knocking on his door and leaving gifts at his doorstep. Sheriff Tate considers the unnecessary attention that Boo would receive to be a sin, given the fact that Boo is such a shy individual. Dragging Boo into the limelight would essentially be harmful. When Atticus asks Scout if she understands Tate's reasoning, Scout says,

"Mr. Tate was right.... Well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird, wouldn't it?" (Lee, 169).

This quote is significant because it depicts Scout's moral development and maturity. Throughout the novel, mockingbirds symbolize innocent beings like Boo Radley. Scout applies Atticus's earlier lesson when he said that it was a sin to kill a mockingbird. Scout understands that exposing Boo to the limelight would be similar to shooting a mockingbird because Boo is a symbolic mockingbird. 

Then Mr. Underwood's meaning became clear: Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men's hearts Atticus had no case. (Chapter 25)

In many ways, this quote sums up much of the meaning of the entire novel.  First, it reveals a huge moment of growth for the narrator Scout.  This quote shows that she finally understands what has been going on in her town in the way of prejudice and injustice all along.

This quote reveals the character of Mr. Underwood, the editor of the local paper.  In a scathing attack against the outcome of the trial, Mr. Underwood shows his respect for Atticus and his anger toward the biased system through which Tom Robinson was convicted.

Finally, this quote sums up the general attitude of a prejudiced south, both in the novel and historically speaking.  The metaphor of the "secret courts of men's hearts" is so pin-pointed to reveal that even in what America boasts of as a system of justice, there is a secret place inside of every human that simply cannot let go of prior experience, prejudice, or weakness toward or against something they believe in.  The facts alone had more than adequately proven Tom's innocence, yet a jury of his "peers" found him nevertheless guilty.  This moment, and this quote, show that Scout finally understands this.

In chapters 26–28 of To Kill a Mockingbird, we see the aftermath of Tom's death, the kids' attempts to process the trial, mischief in Maycomb, and Bob Ewell's final attack.

Chapter 26

There was one odd thing, though, that I never understood: in spite of Atticus's shortcomings as a parent, people were content to re-elect him to the state legislature that year, as usual, without opposition. I came to the conclusion that people were just peculiar, I withdrew from them, and never thought about them until I was forced to. (243)

Here, we see a positive consequence of Atticus's work with Tom Robinson. The town, as traditional and prejudiced as most are, trusts Atticus to do the right thing, even when no one is watching. Scout's confusion reminds us of her age and her innocence. How can people chide his parenting, yet vote him in without question? Her innocence and naivety hold true in the following quote:

Jem, how can you hate Hitler so bad an' then turn around and be so ugly about folks right at home— (247)

In this quote, Scout reflects on how mad her teacher, Miss Gates, gets when discussing Hitler in class. However, Scout makes the connection to her comments at the courthouse where she openly makes a racist comment about the black community "gettin' way above themselves" (247). This quote connects the entire chapter by showing how even Scout can see the hypocrisy of her town at such a young age. She can't seem to figure out people in Maycomb, but it will take her years of living to realize why.

Chapter 27

In chapter 27, several incidents happen in town. Mr. Ewell loses his job and harasses Helen until Link Deas threatens him, and Judge Taylor has a shadowy visitor. Aunt Alexandra is concerned about these happenings, but Atticus understands Ewell's motive. Ewell knows "very few people in Maycomb really believed his and Mayella's yarns." Atticus also points out that he "proved him a liar," and Judge Taylor "made him look like a fool" (250). These comments set up the drama that will ensue in chapter 28.

Halloween approaches, and the kids prepare for the pageant. Scout is sad to hear neither Atticus nor Aunt Alexandra will be in attendance. Before Scout leaves, Alexandra states, "somebody just walked over my grave," foreshadowing the terror that will soon befall Jem and Scout (253). It's as if she knows something bad will happen that evening.

Chapter 28

After the pageant, the kids walk home in the dark and believe they are being followed by Scout's classmate, Cecil Jacobs. However, they quickly learn their "company" isn't a pranking peer.

Scout, in her large ham Halloween costume, feels someone "[crush] the chicken wire around [her]," which causes her to fall to the ground. Trapped in her costume, she hears "scuffling" and "kicking sounds" all around her until someone gets her on her feet (262).

This isn't an ordinary attack. Their attacker, whom we later find out to be Bob Ewell, is trying to do significant damage, possibly with the intent to kill. Thankfully, the kids survive.

Back at the Finch house, Sherrif Tate "glanced sharply at the man in the corner, nodded to him, then looked around the room—at Jem, at Aunt Alexandra, then at Atticus" (266).

Scout silently acknowledges this man and continues to wonder if he would like to sit or if he's more comfortable standing. She accepts Atticus's judgment of the situation but remains curious about the visitor. Little does she know that this is the man she's been dying to see her entire life.

Chapter 28 ends with the shocking news that "Bob Ewell's lyin' on the ground under that tree down yonder with a kitchen knife stuck up under his ribs" (266). Tate reveals that Ewell is dead, and the family is left to discover what events led to his murder.

One passage that is significant is found in Chapter 30:

"If this thing's hushed up it'll be a simple denial to Jem of the way I've tried to raise him....Before Jem looks at anyone else he looks at me, and I've tried to live so I can look squarely back at him... if I connived at something like this, frankly I couldn't meet his eye, and the day I can't do that I'll know I've lost him.

This passage is important because it relates to the motifs of Morals and Ethics, as well as Family. Throughout the narrative, Atticus Finch has been, as Miss Maudie says, the same "in his house as he is on the public streets." So, when he confers with Sheriff Tate who insists that Jem has not killed Bob Ewell because Ewell fell upon his own blade, Atticus tells him that he does not want any special favors done for his son because of his position in town. Nor can he "connive" a falsification of what has happened in order to spare his son notoriety. He must continue to be the same "inside his house" or he will lose his own self-respect as well as the respect of his son. Setting a good example for his children is extremely important to Atticus; being a fair and upright man is also important to Atticus in his community as a lawyer, and in his life as a man.

These words of Atticus emphasize his ethical nature. Being a moral and ethical man is of paramount importance to Atticus Finch. If he is not morally and ethically right, Atticus cannot feel that he is an attorney or a father worthy of respect.

As it turns out, however, Tate convinces Atticus that Jem did not kill Bob Ewell. However, with having Bob Ewell fall on his own knife, Tate tries to protect Boo Radley from having to appear in court. While Atticus has been willing to allow Jem to appear in court because he does not wish to lose his son's respect, he sees the wisdom of what Tate says by letting retribution be the justice against Ewell.

Chapters twenty-nine to thirty-one are the final chapters in Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird, and they are quite significant for many reasons. 

First of all, we learn what happened to Jem's elbow, something she mentions in the first chapter of the novel but is only explained here. Obviously he injured his arm when he was fighting first to save Scout and then himself from Bob Ewell's knife attack.

Second, we learn that Atticus lives what he preaches and is prepared for his son to go to trial for killing Ewell, though we learn later that it was not Jem who killed Ewell. Despite what happened to Tom Robinson, he still has faith in the criminal justice system.

The third thing is a big one, something we have been hoping for since almost the beginning of the novel: we finally meet Boo Radley in person. We have heard about him, we have seen his handiwork, and we have heard all manner of stories about him, some true but most untrue. When Atticus draws attention to the man hiding in the corner, Scout gradually realizes who it is. Her first words to him are a memorable understatement: "Hey, Boo."

Finally, we experience kind of a grand reversal, when Heck Tate insists that he and the Finches lie about Boo Radley's role in Bob Ewell's death. Though Boo would certainly be found innocent in a court of law, the people of Maycomb would all want to lavish Boo with praise and gifts for getting rid of a nuisance and saving Jem and Scout. This, according to the sheriff, would be a punishment for the heroic Boo, and he thinks they should spare him that by lying and saying that Ewell fell on his own knife. 

Atticus sat looking at the floor for a long time. Finally he raised his head. “Scout,” he said, “Mr. Ewell fell on his knife. Can you possibly understand?”
Atticus looked like he needed cheering up. I ran to him and hugged him and kissed him with all my might. “Yes sir, I understand,” I reassured him. “Mr. Tate was right.”
Atticus disengaged himself and looked at me. “What do you mean?”
“Well, it’d be sort of like shootin‘ a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?”

This is a striking couple of lines for two reasons. First, Scout does seem to understand, in a way that seems quite beyond her years, what her father and Miss Maudie meant when they said it was a sin to kill a mockingbird. Second, Atticus is doing something almost completely out of character for him--he is agreeing to participate in a lie. This goes against all of his personal principles as well as his unwavering commitment to the criminal justice and legal system; however, it also supports his belief about "mockingbirds" like Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. He believes they need to be protected, and this is the only way he sees to do that. He thinks about it for a time, and surely he is remembering what happened to Tom as he does so; he finally agrees to participate in this lie. It is a striking moment in the novel.

Charles Baker "Dill" Harris acts as a foil to the children at times while also providing comic relief from some of the seriousness of the novel; yet, at other times he contrasts with the moral turpitude of the townspeople in his childhood innocence. 

QUOTES ABOUT DILL

In Chapter I, Scout describes Dill,

Dill was a curiosity.  He wore blue linen shorts that buttoned to his shirt, his hair was snow white and stuck to his head like duckfluff; he was a year my senior but I towered over him.  As he told us the old tale his blue eyes would lighten and darken; his laugh was sudden and happy; he habitually pulled at a cowlick in the center of his forehead.

Desiring Boo Radley to come outside, he accuses Jem of being afraid to go to the house. 

But Dill got him the third day, when he told Jem that folks in Meridian certainly weren't as afraid as the folks in Maycomb, that he'd never seen such scary folks as the ones in Maycomb.

In Chapter 4, on his next visit to Maycomb, Dill wears shorts with a belt now. And, Dill rides a train to Maycomb from Meridian:

Two days later Dill arrived in a blaze of glory:  he had ridden the train by himself....he had eaten dinner in the diner, he had seen two twins hitched together get off the train in Bay St. Louis and stuck to his story regardless of threats....

Later, in Chapter 6, Dill convinces Jem to peep in the Radley window to see Boo.  But, for all his bravado, Dill is an innocent:

Dill stopped and let Jem go ahead.  When Jem put his foot on the bottom step, the step squeaked.

After Jem looks in, a shadow appears on the porch that Scout sees and

Dill saw it next. He put his hands to his face.

In Chapter 20 as the children listen to the testimony, Scout accepts the cross-examination of Tom by Mr. Gilmer as normal for him; however, Dill, who is more naive that Atticus's children, cries at the injustice of Tom's interrogation. Seeing him, Mr. Dolpus Raymond remarks,

"Things haven't caught up with that one's instinct yet. Let him get a little older and he won't get sick and cry […] about the simple hell people give other people – without even thinking. Cry about the hell white people give colored folks, without even stopping to think that they're people, too."

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 QUOTES BY DILL

Imaginative, Dill fabricates an excuse for Jem's lack of pants when the neighbors come outside after hearing the Radley shotgun fire at Jem who peeps in the window:

"We were playin' strip poker up yonder by the fishpool." Ch. 6

During the trial, Scout explains that Mr. Gilmer is "supposed to act that way...he was cross--" but Dill cuts her off,

"Well, Mr. Finch didn't act that way to Mayella and old man Ewell when he cross-examined them.  The way that man called him 'boy' all the time and sneered at him, an' looked around at the jury every time he answered--" Ch.19

After the conviction of Tom:

Dill gives his aunt Rachel's viewpoint, but says,

"I'da got her told...but she didn't look much like tellin' this morning [from] wonderin' where I was....But that woman drinks a pint for breakfast...." Ch 22

When Aunt Alexandra scolds him:

"I ain't cynical, Miss Alexandra. Tellin' the truth's not cynical, is it?

"I think I'll be a clown when I get grown […] There ain't one thing in this world I can do about folks except laugh, so I'm gonna join the circus and laugh my head off." Ch. 22 

One of my favorite quotes regarding the setting is found in chapter 1:

Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. In rainy weather the streets turned to red slop; grass grew on the sidewalks, the courthouse sagged in the square. Somehow, it was hotter then: a black dog suffered on a summer’s day; bony mules hitched to Hoover carts flicked flies in the sweltering shade of the live oaks on the square. Men’s stiff collars wilted by nine in the morning. Ladies bathed before noon, after their three-o’clock naps, and by nightfall were like soft teacakes with frostings of sweat and sweet talcum.

This really sets the tone of the Southern pace of Maycomb life. The town is old and not in a classy way; it's just tired. It's lacking the care needed in the details to keep things running well (reflected in the grass growing through sidewalks). It's unbearably hot, often symbolic of mounting tensions. The lack of care given to the details of the town will clash with the mounting racial tensions later in the novel.

The people in Maycomb share some common beliefs, which Scout notes are distinctly different from those in even northern Alabama:

Miss Caroline printed her name on the blackboard and said, “This says I am Miss Caroline Fisher. I am from North Alabama, from Winston County.” The class murmured apprehensively, should she prove to harbor her share of the peculiarities indigenous to that region. (When Alabama seceded from the Union on January 11, 1861, Winston County seceded from Alabama, and every child in Maycomb County knew it.) North Alabama was full of liquor interests, big mules, steel companies, Republicans, professors, and other persons of no background.

The setting of Maycomb during this time period therefore produces people who are like-minded, opposing this list of inflammatory categories common to people of "no background" who might live further north in Alabama. In evaluating this list, Maycomb isn't portrayed as the most progressive setting.

Maycomb is a small town and can be deathly silent even in the middle of the day. When Tim Johnson wanders down the street, everyone disappears inside, leaving an absolutely quiet street:

Nothing is more deadly than a deserted, waiting street. The trees were still, the mockingbirds were silent, the carpenters at Miss Maudie’s house had vanished. I heard Mr. Tate sniff, then blow his nose. I saw him shift his gun to the crook of his arm. I saw Miss Stephanie Crawford’s face framed in the glass window of her front door. Miss Maudie appeared and stood beside her.

This speaks both to the size of the town and the familiarity of the neighborhood. People know each other so well that they are able to be in instant contact if needed, and the streets are so sparsely used that one rabid dog can absolutely clear everyone from sight.

Historical Setting

In the first chapter, Scout alludes to her ancestor Simon Finch, who profited from the loss of large tract of land by the Creek Indians who were moved to another state. "If General Jackson hadn't run the Creeks up the creek, Simon Finch would never have paddled up the Alabama . . . " (Ch.1)

There are several allusions to the Great Depression of the 1930's which is the backdrop of the setting of Lee's novel. Scout narrates that when her father began his law practice in Maycomb, during his first five years, "Atticus practiced economy more than anything" (Ch.1).

Further, Scout describes the era in which she lives, and she repeats the famous words of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President of the United States during the Great Depression:

There was no hurry, for there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy and no money to buy it with . . . But it was a time of vague optimism for some people: Maycomb County had recently been told that it had "nothing to fear but fear itself."

Community Setting

Like so many Southern towns of its era, Maycomb has its courthouse on a square where there are several other offices and businesses. Atticus's office used to be in the courthouse when he first began practicing law, but now he has his office in a quieter location inside the Maycomb Bank building.

On the night before the trial, Jem becomes worried because he has heard Atticus take the car to his office when he usually walks. So, when Atticus does not return at a customary time, Jem decides to try to find his father; Scout and Dill insist on accompanying him. They check at the office, but Atticus is not there. Then they see Atticus sitting under the single light bulb at the jail.

The Maycomb jail was the most venerable and hideous of the county’s buildings. . . . Starkly out of place in a town of square-faced stores and steep-roofed houses, the Maycomb jail was a miniature Gothic joke one cell wide and two cells high, complete with tiny battlements and flying buttresses.

Mr. Underwood has his newspaper office in a building close to the jail. He lives above his office and can look out to the jail. On the night that the mob approaches Atticus, Mr. Underwood watches from his window.

The Finch House

The Finches have a fairly comfortable home with rooms that have fireplaces. Like most homes in the South, there is no basement because the earth has a great deal of clay in it. This clay absorbs water, then dries, causing expansions and retraction that strain walls of any kind. The house is set upon stone blocks and has front and back porches. It is on the screened back porch that Jem and Scout sleep in the summertime. They enjoy the cooler air night often brings. On the front porch, as on many other porches, there is a swing. There is also a treehouse in the backyard. 

Following the incident outside of the Maycomb jailhouse, Atticus explains to his children mob mentality. He demonstrates his perspective by defending Walter Cunningham's character. Atticus says,

"Mr. Cunningham's basically a good man...he just has his blind spots along with the rest of us" (Lee 97).

In Chapter 20, Dolphus Raymond tells his secret to Scout and Dill. He then tells Scout that her father is different from most people in Maycomb. He demonstrates his perspective on society by telling Scout,

"Miss Jean Louise, you don't know your pa's not a run-of-the-mill man, it'll take a few years for that to sink in---you haven't seen enough of the world yet. You haven't even seen this town, but all you gotta do is step back inside the courthouse" (Lee 123).

In Chapter 23, Jem has a conversation with Scout about the different types of folks in Maycomb. Scout comments that she believes there is just one kind of folks, but Jem disagrees with her. He says,

"I think I'm beginning to understand why Boo Radley's stayed shut up in the house all this time...it's because he wants to stay inside" (Lee 139).

In Chapter 24, Atticus interrupts the missionary circle to tell Alexandra and Cal that Tom Robinson is dead. After Atticus explains that Tom was shot while he was attempting to escape, Alexandra says, "This is the last straw, Atticus" (Lee 144). Atticus urges her to look at the situation from a different perspective. He says,

"Depends on how you look at it...What was one Negro, more or less, among two hundred of 'em? He wasn't Tom to them, he was an escaping prisoner" (Lee 144). 

In Chapter 25, Scout reads Mr. Underwood's editorial. Mr. Underwood took a different perspective on Tom's murder than the other citizens of Maycomb. Scout mentions,

"He likened Tom's death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children..." (Lee 147). 

FIVE QUOTES ABOUT PERSPECTIVE IN TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

One of Atticus's first lessons to his children in the novel is delivered to Scout after her disappointing first day at school with Miss Caroline.

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around  in it."  (Chapter 3)

Jem and Scout are amazed at Atticus's shooting skill, and they wonder why he has never bragged about it.

     "People in their right minds never take pride in their talents," said Miss Maudie.  (Chapter 10)

Tom explains why he ran away from the Ewell house, even though he was innocent.

     "Mr. Finch, if you was a nigger like me, you'd be scared, too."  (Chapter 19)

Scout decides that Sheriff Tate's decision to call Bob Ewell's death self-inflicted is a wise one, since it eliminates the possibility of Boo having to face a public trial.

     "Well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird, wouldn't it?"  (Chapter 30)

After Scout walks Boo home, never to see him again, she looks upon her neighborhood from his porch, envisioning the scene as if standing in his shoes and looking through his eyes.

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

Please note: Page numbers will vary by edition. Chapter numbers are provided here for each quotation.

Dill Harris, whose real name is Charles Baker, is a beloved friend of both Scout and Jem. Although he and Scout are engaged, he grows closer to Jem, and the two boys sometimes exclude her because she is a girl. Dill has a difficult relationship with his family and enjoys spending time in Maycomb and with the Finches. Scout tries to be considerate of his feelings, although she knows he is a not merely an inventive story teller but a fantastic liar. The three of them are involved together in the surveillance of the Radley home and a related game they invent, as well as attending the Robinson trial together.

Dill shows great curiosity, such as about the Radley house, but he can also be sensitive to other’s feelings. In chapter 1, when Jem tries to think of a way to coax Arthur “Boo” Radley out of his house, he uses the metaphor of striking a match under a turtle’s shell. Dill thinks this idea is “hateful,” and challenges Jem’s assertion that it would not hurt the turtle.

“How do you know a match don’t hurt him?”
“Turtles can’t feel, stupid,” said Jem.
“Were you ever a turtle, huh?”

It is Dill who comes up with the idea of delivering a note to Boo Radley (chapter 6). Jem’s approaching the Radley house to make this delivery has the unfortunate result of Nathan Radley shooting at him and his losing his pants when they catch on the fence. Dill is very helpful in quickly coming up with a lie to tell Atticus when he asks Jem where his pants are.

“Ah—I won ’em from him,” he said vaguely.
“Won them? How?”
“We were playin’ strip poker up yonder by the fishpool,” he said.

Dill is Scout's best friend throughout the novel who lives in Meridian and visits his aunt during the summers. Dill runs away because he does not feel wanted. Dill has a conversation explaining his motivation to run away from home with Scout. Dill expresses his loneliness by saying, 

"The thing is, what I'm tryin' to say is---they do get on a lot better without me, I can't help them any. They ain't mean. They buy me everything I want, but it's now-you've-got-it-go-play-with-it" (Lee 88).

During the trial, Dill cannot stand seeing Mr. Gilmer treat Tom Robinson disrespectfully. At this point in the novel, Dill has not lost his innocence and is sickened at the way Mr. Gilmer speaks down to Tom. Dill's stomach begins to hurt and he starts to cry. When they get out of the courtroom, Dill tells Scout, 

"I don't care one speck. I ain't right, somehow it ain't right to do 'em that way. Hasn't anybody got any business talkin' like that---it just makes me sick" (Lee 121).

Following the trial, all of the children have lost their childhood innocence after witnessing Tom's wrongful conviction. Dill feels awful about the prejudiced community and tells Jem and Scout, 

"I think I'll be a clown when I get grown" (Lee 133).

Dill believes that being a clown will make him immune to the blatant prejudice and hate throughout the Maycomb community. 

Atticus is a good role model for his children because he values all people, stands up for what he believes in, is courageous, and protects others.

Atticus is a unique parent.  As a single dad raising two kids, he surely has some challenges.  He handles these with grace and dignity.  Atticus Finch makes standing up for what you believe in and doing the right thing look easy.

Atticus teaches his children that just because something is hard doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.  Defending Tom Robinson is very unpopular in Maycomb. It is probably one of the hardest things Atticus has ever done, yet he takes the case not just because he has been ordered to, but because he considers it important.  He explains to his children why he needs to do it.

“Atticus, are we going to win it?”

“No, honey.”

“Then why—”

“Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win,” Atticus said. (Ch. 9)

Showing his children different perspectives on courage is something that Atticus does often.  He defends his children and the town when they are faced with a rabid dog.  Atticus has not shot a gun in thirty years, but he is still the best shot in the town.  He knows that the town needs “one-shot Finch” and he takes the shot, despite what must have been a great deal of fear and self-doubt.  Miss Maudie explains this to his children. 

“ … Marksmanship’s a gift of God, a talent … I think maybe he put his gun down when he realized that God had given him an unfair advantage over most living things. I guess he decided he wouldn’t shoot till he had to, and he had to today.” (Ch. 10) 

Atticus is a role model not just because he shows his children courage himself, but because he is able to help them see it in others.  Atticus makes sure that his children understand the case of Mrs. Dubose, a horrible woman who nonetheless accomplishes the courageous feat of weaning herself off of morphine, a painkiller she is addicted to.  He tells them that although he may not agree with her ideas, he values her strength.

I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. (Ch. 11) 

Courage does indeed come in many forms.  Atticus’s defense of the town against the mad dog is similar to the role he is playing with the trial.  Once again, he is doing a job that no one else can do.  Atticus is capable of giving Tom Robinson a fair trial, or at least the fairest he can get in Maycomb.  No one else wants to or is able to do it.  He takes this seriously though.  He even goes so far as to sit outside Tom Robinson’s cell and face down a lynch mob. 

Even though the men tell him that Heck Tate has been called off on a “snipe hunt,” so he knows the sheriff can’t help him, Atticus does not back down to the mob.  

“Thought about it, but didn’t believe it. Well then,” my father’s voice was still the same, “that changes things, doesn’t it?”

“It do,” another deep voice said. Its owner was a shadow.

“Do you really think so?” (Ch. 15) 

Scout doesn’t show fear either, following her father’s example.  She confronts the mob, engaging her schoolmate Walter Cunningham’s father in friendly conversation.  The men realize what they are doing and leave.  Like father, like daughter. 

Finally, there is the trial itself.  Atticus puts forward a convincing case that his client is innocent and that the crime did not take place.  The victim was attacked by her father for kissing a black man.  During his closing arguments, Atticus tries to convince the jury that a courtroom should be colorblind. 

It can be the Supreme Court of the United States or the humblest J.P. court in the land, or this honorable court which you serve. Our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal. (Ch. 20) 

Atticus tells the court that he is not an idealist, but that racism should not have any place in a courtroom.  While he is not successful in getting his client acquitted, he does get the jury to deliberate.  That is quite a feat in Maycomb, where prejudice runs deep.  Atticus made a little bit of a dent in the wall.

Much wisdom can be learned from Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. Here are some examples of quotes that are full of wisdom to get you started looking for your own.

Atticus Finch is a great source of wisdom and knowledge. Not only is he well-educated and experienced in the law profession, he is a man of integrity. Here, Atticus advises Scout as to how to better get along with other people:

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view. Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it."

Miss Maudie is also a source of wisdom and a paragon of womanliness to the motherless Scout and Jem. She speaks frankly about how she feels and what she thinks. Here, she discusses what she has learned about people who are unable to live in the moment:

"There are just some kind of men who—who're so busy worrying about the next world they've never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results."

Even young Dill understands more about the world than perhaps his youth lets on. After witnessing Mr. Gilmer's questioning during the trial, he gets upset and wisely rejects the possibility that talking to someone in a disrespectful manner is acceptable, even when the job requires it:

"It ain't right, somehow it ain't right to do 'em that way. Hasn't anybody got any business talkin' like that—it just makes me sick."

To Kill a Mockingbird is filled with many memorable quotations, but probably the two most famous quotes from TKAM are the following:

• "Remember, it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." (Atticus, to Jem, Chapter 10)
• "You never understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." (Atticus, to Scout, Chapter 3)

The first quote refers to one of the major themes of the novel, that of innocence. The mockingbird harms nothing and only makes music for others to enjoy. The second quote deals with another theme, tolerance, and how people need to understand the actions and feelings of another before judging them.

Other important quotes that can be found in the text include:

• "I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks." (Scout, Chapter 23)
• "When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness' sake. But don't make a production of it. Children are children, but they can spot an evasion quicker than adults, and evasion simply muddles 'em.  (Atticus, to his brother Jack, Chapter 9)
• "I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.  (Atticus, to Jem, Chapter 11)
• 'I was born good but had grown progressively worse every year." (Scout, Chapter 9)
• "The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience." (Atticus, to Jem, Chapter 11)
• "I'm not a very good man, sir, but I am sheriff of Maycomb County... There's a black boy dead for no reason, and the man responsible for it's dead. Let the dead bury the dead this time, Mr. Finch. Let the dead bury the dead." (Sheriff Heck Tate, to Atticus, Chapter 30)

There are several scenes throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird where Atticus talks about perspective. In Chapter 3, Scout is upset when she returns home from school because her teacher, Miss Caroline, said she couldn't read at home with Atticus anymore. Atticus tells her,

"if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view." (Lee 39)

Atticus explains how both Scout and Miss Caroline learned important information about each other and their surroundings on the first day of school. He tells her it is not fair to judge someone until you've considered things from their perspective.

Atticus speaks about perspective in Chapter 23 after Bob Ewell spits in his face while leaving the post office. Atticus calmly wipes the spit from his face and lets Bob Ewell berate him. Atticus tells Jem,

"see if you can stand in Bob Ewell's shoes a minute." (Lee 292)

Atticus explains to Jem how he destroyed Bob Ewell's credibility during the trial and expected Bob to retaliate. Atticus' ability to understand Bob Ewell's feelings towards him, is the reason Atticus can remain calm throughout the situation. Atticus displays his sympathy by saying, "if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that's something I'll gladly take." (Lee 293)

In Chapter 16, the day after the Old Sarum bunch attempted to harm Tom Robinson at his jail cell, Atticus tells Jem and Scout,

"you children last night made Walter Cunningham stand in my shoes for a minute. That was enough." (Lee 210)

Atticus explains how Jem and Scout made Walter Cunningham realize the weight of his actions. Walter Cunningham was able to understand Atticus' point of view. Atticus was in a tough position and Walter's ability to observe the situation from Atticus' perspective, led to his decision to tell the mob to leave.

Toward the end of chapter 28, Scout describes Bob Ewell's attack and attempts to identify the person who saved her life. When Scout mentions that a man came to their aid during the fight, Sheriff Tate asks Scout the man's name. Scout does not know the man's name but points toward him and says,

Why there he is, Mr. Tate, he can tell you his name (Lee, 274).

Scout proceeds to point toward Boo Radley, who is silently standing in the corner of the room. After examining the man's pale skin and hollow cheeks, Scout recognizes the person who saved her life by saying, "Hey, Boo" (Lee, 274).

In chapter 30, Sheriff Tate and Atticus are discussing the person responsible for Bob Ewell's death, and Sheriff Tate indirectly tells Atticus that Boo Radley killed Bob Ewell. Sheriff Tate tells Atticus,

To my way of thinkin’, Mr. Finch, taking the one man who’s done you and this town a great service an‘ draggin’ him with his shy ways into the limelight—to me, that’s a sin. It’s a sin and I’m not about to have it on my head. If it was any other man, it’d be different. But not this man, Mr. Finch (Lee, 280).

Sheriff Tate understands that informing the community will harm Boo, who is extremely reclusive and would not enjoy the excessive attention, which is why he does not publicly announce Boo's heroics.

All of these following quotes occurred on the last page of Chapter 30.  Heck Tate has the first two quotes.  In the first one he is explaining to Atticus why he doesn't want to tell the whole town that Boo killed Bob.  He didn't really commit a crime--he stopped one from happening.  In doing so, he saved the kids and is a hero.

"I never heard tell that it's against the law for a citizen to do his utmost to prevent a crime from being committed, which is exactly what he did..."

In the second quote he explains why he can't put Boo in the spotlight of being a hero.  It would be too much for him to take (since he is a recluse).  He can barely handle meeting Scout for the first time. The "great service" he did was saving the children along with ridding the town of "trash" like Bob Ewell.

"To my way of thinkin', Mr. Finch, taking the one man who's done you and this town a great service an' draggin' him with his shy ways into the limelight--to me, that's a sin."

The final heroic quote is from Atticus as he says good night to Boo on his porch.  He thanks him for saving their lives.

Before he went inside the house, he stopped in front of Boo Radley. "Thank you for my children, Arthur."

Here are some important quotes.

Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. (1)

Maycomb is a character in the book, as well as the setting.

“Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win,” Atticus said. (9)

Atticus knows that defending Tom Robinson is not going to be easy for him or his family, because he is up against significant racial prejudice.  Nonetheless, he is doing it anyway because it is the right thing to do.

Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird. (10)

This is the quote that gave the book its title.  It reminds us that the innocent are often targets, because their innocence is seen as weakness.  We see this in the book’s two symbolic mockingbirds, Tom Robinson and Boo Radley.

This case, Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience—Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man.” (11)

This quote demonstrates that Atticus thinks it is his moral imperative to defend Robinson, even if the townspeople disagree.

“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.” (11)

This is one of the most significant quotes from the book, because it highlights the importance of mental courage as well as physical courage.

Atticus was proceeding amiably, as if he were involved in a title dispute. With his infinite capacity for calming turbulent seas, he could make a rape case as dry as a sermon. (17)

This demonstrates something about Atticus.  He is calm and judicious, and people listen to him.

“I am confident that you gentlemen will review without passion the evidence you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this defendant to his family. In the name of God, do your duty.” (20)

When Atticus tells the jury to do their duty, he is aware that they are unlikely to acquit Tom Robinson.  However, he is still putting his faith in them and in the jury system, even though he knows the deck is stacked against them.

Atticus was right. One time 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. (30)

Scout learns that the key to getting along with people is seeing things from their point of view, which is really the lesson of the entire book.

Scout's in Love.  Scout and Dill are a couple, at least during the summer months, and she misses her "permanent fiance," who has written to tell her that he will be unable to come to Maycomb this year.

I had never thought about it, but summer was Dill by the whirlpool smoking string... summer was the swiftness with which Dill would reach up and kiss me when Jem was not looking, the longings we sometimes felt each other feel. With him, life was routine; without him, life was unbearable.  (Chapter 12)

Aunt Alexandra.  Scout is always at odds with her aunt after Atticus's sister comes to stay. Alexandra nags Scout about being more ladylike or having more respect for the Finch family heritage, so Scout's description of her may not be entirely kind.

She was not fat, but solid, and she chose protective garments that drew up her bosom to giddy heights, pinched in her waist, flared out her rear and managed to suggest that that Aunt Alexandra's was once an hourglass figure. From any angle, it was formidable.  (Chapter 13)

Dill Returns.  Although Dill was not supposed to spend the summer in Maycomb, he decides to run away from home and his new father, who Dill claims chained him in the basement. Dill appears under Scout's bed, and Atticus works it out so that Dill can spend the night at the Finch house. Scout and Dill spend an innocent night together--in Scout's bed--where he makes an astute observation about Boo Radley. Unlike Dill,

     "Maybe he [Boo] doesn't have anywhere to run off to."  (Chapter 14) 

Bob Ewell.  Making false accusations against Tom and putting him on trial for murder is not enough for Bob: An insult is also necessary, and Bob sends the courtroom into a frenzy when he states that

"--I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin' on my Mayella!"  (Chapter 17)

Dolphus Raymond.  After Dill becomes sick in the courtroom, he and Scout encounter the "sinful" Mr. Raymond, who reveals his secret about the bottle in the paper sack before telling them about the injustices that black men and women face from Maycomb's white citizens.

     "Cry about the simple hell people give other people--without even thinking. Cry about the hell white people give colored folks, without even stopping to think that they're people, too.  (Chapter 20)