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To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

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Unusual events concerning the Finches in the concluding chapters of To Kill a Mockingbird

Summary:

In the concluding chapters of To Kill a Mockingbird, several unusual events affect the Finch family. Bob Ewell attacks Scout and Jem, but Boo Radley intervenes, saving them and killing Ewell in the process. This incident leads to the revelation of Boo's true character, highlighting themes of prejudice and moral courage.

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What three unusual events in chapters 27-31 of To Kill a Mockingbird concerned the Finches?

For a small town like Maycomb, there seemed to be many unusual things happening during the course of To Kill a Mockingbird. The three things that Scout mentioned during Chapter 27 included:

  • Helen Robinson being stalked and harrassed by Bob Ewell. This happened as a direct result of Bob being embarrassed during the trial by Atticus.
  • Judge Taylor discovering a prowler on his back porch, where "A shadow on the corner of the house caught his eye." It was probably Bob Ewell again, seeking revenge against the judge.
  • How Bob Ewell "acquired and lost a job in a matter of days." Naturally, he blamed Atticus for losing it.
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In Chapter 27 of To Kill a Mockingbird, what three events indirectly concern the Finches?

1. The first event that indirectly concerns the Finch family is the fact that Bob Ewell loses his job working for the WPA. After Bob is fired for laziness, he openly accuses Atticus of "getting his job."

2. The second event...

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takes place on a quiet Sunday night at Judge Taylor's home. Judge Taylor is home alone when he hears a scratching noise coming from the back door of his home. When Judge Taylor gets up to let his dog out, he sees the screen door swinging open and barely sees the shadow of the intruder. The intruder does not return, and Judge Taylor spends the rest of the night sitting with a shotgun across his lap.

3. The third event that takes place involves Helen Robinson. Helen has been taking the long route to work in order to avoid Mr. Ewell, who "chunked at her" the first time she walked past his home. After Link Deas discovers why Helen was taking the long route to work, he threatens Bob Ewell. The next morning, Helen takes the shortcut and walks past Bob's home. Unfortunately, Bob Ewell follows behind her the entire time, cussing and threatening her until she reaches Link Deas's store.

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BOBEWELL, THEUNEMPLOYED.  Scout relates that Bob became "the only man I ever heard of to be fired from the WPA for laziness." The Works Progress Administration was a program founded by President Franklin Roosevelt to establish jobs for local work projects. Apparently, just about anybody could be hired--but only Bob could be fired. He later blamed Atticus for "getting" his job.

BOBEWELLSTALKS. Bob began stalking and harrassing Tom Robinson's wife, Helen, following her while quietly cursing her and making other crude remarks. Link Deas threatened to have him arrested, so Bob finally gave it up.

BOBEWELLPROWLS.  Bob apparently tried to break into Judge Taylor's house while the judge's wife was away. But when Taylor went onto his porch to investigate, he only saw an escaping shadow.

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