Editor's Choice
Are there quotes in To Kill a Mockingbird that show Scout being excluded from trial discussions?
Quick answer:
In To Kill a Mockingbird, there are several instances where Scout is excluded from trial discussions. Calpurnia avoids explaining rape to Scout, suggesting she ask Atticus instead. Atticus tells Jem and Scout to stay home during the trial to shield them from racial prejudice. Despite this, they attend. Reverend Sykes attempts to remove Scout from the courtroom during explicit testimony. Later, Atticus tries to send them home before the verdict but ultimately relents.
In chapter 12, Scout attends First Purchase African M.E. Church with Calpurnia, and she learns that the black community is collecting money for Helen Robinson. Scout is anxious to learn more about Tom's crime and asks, "...what's rape Cal?" (Lee, 125). Instead of giving her a direct answer, Calpurnia purposely avoids the question by saying,
It’s somethin‘ you’ll have to ask Mr. Finch about...He can explain it better than I can. (Lee, 125)
In chapter 16, Atticus heads to the courthouse to defend Tom Robinson and tells his son,
There’s a day ahead, so excuse me. Jem, I don’t want you and Scout downtown today, please. (Lee, 160)
Atticus realizes that he will not win the case and Tom Robinson will become a victim of racial injustice. He does not want his children exposed to Maycomb's ugly racial prejudice, which is why he tells Jem that he...
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wants him to stay home with Scout. Despite his father's directive, Jem disobeys Atticus by taking Scout to the courthouse to watch the trial.
Before Scout meets up with Jem and Dill to sit in the Negro balcony, she overhears the Idlers’ Club members mention that Judge Taylor made Atticus take the case. Scout was previously unaware that Atticus was forced to defend Tom Robinson and is astonished by the news. Scout says,
This was news, news that put a different light on things: Atticus had to, whether he wanted to or not. I thought it odd that he hadn’t said anything to us about it—we could have used it many times in defending him and ourselves. He had to, that’s why he was doing it, equaled fewer fights and less fussing. (Lee, 165)
When Bob Ewell takes the witness stand, he testifies that Tom Robinson was "ruttin’ on my Mayella!". Reverend Sykes immediately turns to Jem and says,
"Mr. Jem...you better take Miss Jean Louise home. Mr. Jem, you hear me?" (Lee, 175).
Despite Reverend Sykes's attempt to exclude Scout from listening to any more of the explicit testimony, Scout refuses to leave the courtroom and remains in the balcony.
In chapter 21, Calpurnia enters the courtroom with a note from Aunt Alexandra concerning the whereabouts of Jem and Scout. When Jem and Scout approach their father, he attempts to prevent them from hearing the verdict and tells his children,
"You’ve been here all afternoon? Go home with Calpurnia and get your supper—and stay home" (Lee, 210).
Atticus ends up relenting and allows his children to return to the courtroom to listen to the verdict.