The reader knows the result of Tom Robinson's trial in Chapter 21 of To Kill a Mockingbird. In Chapter 22, Maudie shares with the children that there are more people on their father's side than they might think. For example, she says that Judge Taylor knew what he was doing by naming Atticus to defend Tom. She also believes that Heck Tate did what he could to help Tom. However, we do not become aware of the opinions of many neighbors until Aunt Alexandra's missionary circle meeting in Chapter 24.
Mrs. Merriweather offers her opinion that the black citizens of Maycomb County just need to know that they are forgiven. Once they are, "then this whole thing'll blow over." Referring to the decision in Tom's trial, she believes that "the cooks and field hands are just dissatisfied, but they're settling down now." Mrs. Merriweather believes that by showing disappointment, one is simply not being a good Christian.
Next, Mrs. Farrow shares her feelings of the black citizens by saying, "we can try till we drop to make Christians out of 'em, but there's no lady safe in her bed these nights." Her statement makes her opinion quite clear on Tom's guilty verdict. Mrs. Merriweather agrees and adds that there are "some good but misguided people in this town." Although she doesn't mention his name specifically, she seems to be of the opinion that Atticus may be a good person, but by defending Tom Robinson, all he did was "stir 'em up." Miss Maudie puts an end to the conversation, for which she is silently thanked by Aunt Alexandra.
This is a rich chapter on how people responded to the trial.
First, Jem knew at the core of his hear that the outcome was not right. He could not believe the injustice.
It was Jem’s turn to cry. His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd. “It ain’t right,” he muttered, all the way to the corner of the square where we found Atticus waiting.
Aunt Alexandra commiserated with Atticus. She knew the truth as well.
She was in her dressing gown, and I could have sworn she had on her corset underneath it. “I’m sorry, brother,” she murmured.
The black townspeople knew that Tom was innocent and was judged wrongly, but they really appreciated Atticus. They knew that Atticus was a heroic man who sacrificed much. They brought so much food for him in a very touching way. It was their way of honoring him.
Calpurnia said, “Tom Robinson’s daddy sent you along this chicken this morning. I fixed it.”
We followed him. The kitchen table was loaded with enough food to bury the family: hunks of salt pork, tomatoes, beans, even scuppernongs. Atticus grinned when he found a jar of pickled pigs’ knuckles. “Reckon Aunty’ll let me eat these in the diningroom?”
Calpurnia said, “This was all ‘round the back steps when I got here this morning. They—they ’preciate what you did, Mr. Finch. They—they aren’t oversteppin‘ themselves, are they?”
Finally, Miss Maudie helped Jem to see that there were others in the town who were on Tom's side. She says:
“His colored friends for one thing, and people like us. People like Judge Taylor. People like Mr. Heck Tate. Stop eating and start thinking, Jem. Did it ever strike you that Judge Taylor naming Atticus to defend that boy was no accident? That Judge Taylor might have had his reasons for naming him?”
So, even if the town was still racist, there were a few good people.
Aunt Alexandra displays a sympathetic, kind disposition to her character that we haven't seen before Chapter 22. She seems to be truly genuine when she expresses how sorry she is to Atticus.
Mr. Avery and Miss Stephanie represent those in society who are so prejudiced that they refuse to see the good that Atticus has accomplished. They taunt the kids about the trial and even berate them for sitting with Calpurnia and the other blacks at the trial. Mr. Avery and Miss Stephanie want the social order to stay the same as it has always been, so they cannot be anything but vindictive and hateful.
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