Chapter 22: Kaela Towne

Summary:
That night, Jem cries, upset about the unfairness of the outcome of the trial. The next day, Maycomb’s black population delivers a large amount of food to the Finch household. Outside, Miss Stephanie Crawford is gossiping with Mr. Avery and Miss Maudie, and she tries to question Jem and Scout about the trial. Miss Maudie rescues the children by inviting them in for some cake. Jem complains that his picture of Maycomb have been shattered: he thought that these people were the best in the world, but, having seen the trial, he doesn’t think so anymore. Miss Maudie points out that there were people who tried to help, like Judge Taylor, who appointed Atticus to the case instead of the regular public defender. She adds that the jury’s staying out so long shows a sign of progress in race relations. As the children leave Miss Maudie’s house, Miss Stephanie runs over to tell them that Bob Ewell approached their father that morning, spat on him, and swore revenge.

Changes + Developments:
In this chapter, we learn more about many of the chraracters. We find that Jem is much more sensitive than he puts out to be and that he also wasn't as mature as he would've like people to think. Atticus' impact on Maycomb becomes more obvious when the black population gives them food. We also learn that not every white adult in Maycomb hate blacks, though we knew this already with Mr Raymond. Miss Maudie comes out still to be overly caring and protective of Jem and Scout.

Quotes:
“’It’s like bein’ a caterpillar in a cocoon, that’s what it is, he said. ‘Like somethin’ asleep wrapped in a warm place. I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, least that’s what they seemed like.’”(Lee 288) This is said by Jem to Miss Maudie. He is reacting to the trial's outcome. It seems as if the trial opened his eyes to the reality of Maycomb.

"I don't know [how they could convict Tom Robinson], but they did it. They've done it before and they did it tonight and they'll do it again and when they do it-seems that only children weep." This is said to Jem by Atticus after the trial. It clearly shows that Atticus knows what he's up against but will still fight for what he sees as right. It also says that children seem to be the only people who see the world so simply that they see whats rights and not what people believe.

Literary Elements:
At the end of the chapter, we see foreshadowing, as well as a cliffhanger, when Miss Stephenie warns them all of Ewells' actions.

Vocab:
Rabbit-bites - noun, small bites
Heathen - adjective, irreligious

Questions:
Why does Dill want to be a clown?

What do you think is going to happen between Mr. Ewell and Atticus? How do you think this will affect the town?