To kill a mockingbird chapter 17 20 summary. To Kill a Mockingbird: Summary & Analysis Part 2: Chapters 17 2022-10-22

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In To Kill a Mockingbird, Chapter 17 begins with Scout and Jem walking to the courthouse with their father, Atticus, for Tom Robinson's trial. Scout is excited to go to the courthouse because she has never been inside before, and she is curious about what will happen.

As they walk, Atticus explains to Scout and Jem that the trial will be difficult because Tom is a black man accused of raping a white woman. Atticus tells them that it is important to be fair and objective in the face of such a difficult and emotional case.

When they arrive at the courthouse, Scout is amazed by the size and grandeur of the building. Inside, they find that the courtroom is packed with people, and Atticus has to push his way through the crowd to get to his seat.

The trial begins with the prosecution's witness, Mayella Ewell, taking the stand. Mayella testifies that Tom Robinson attacked and raped her, but Atticus is able to expose several inconsistencies in her story. He also points out that Mayella has bruises on her face, which suggest that she was beaten by someone.

In Chapter 18, the defense continues its case by calling Tom Robinson to the stand. Tom testifies that he did go to Mayella's house to do some work, but that he did not attack or rape her. He claims that Mayella made advances towards him, and that he ran away when her father, Bob Ewell, came home and saw them together.

In Chapter 19, the trial comes to a close and the jury begins to deliberate. Scout and Jem are anxious to know the outcome, and they worry that Tom will be found guilty despite the lack of evidence against him.

In Chapter 20, the jury returns a verdict of guilty, and Tom Robinson is sentenced to life in prison. Atticus is disappointed but not surprised by the verdict, and he tells Scout and Jem that sometimes the truth does not matter in a court of law.

Despite the outcome of the trial, Atticus is proud of the way he defended Tom and stood up for what he believed was right. He tells Scout and Jem that it is important to always do what is right, even when it is difficult or unpopular.

To Kill a Mockingbird Chapters 16 & 17 Summary & Analysis

to kill a mockingbird chapter 17 20 summary

Robinson fled, and Ewell went into the house, saw that his daughter was all right, and ran for the sheriff. He then tells how he ran inside and saw Tom Robinson raping his daughter. Gilmer begins to question Mr. Prejudice certainly does come to play in the court proceedings, but Lee explores much deeper human emotions and societal ideals than the straightforward mistreatment of a person based on skin color. Ewell a pen and paper to demonstrate. The state rests its case.

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To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 20 Summary & Analysis

to kill a mockingbird chapter 17 20 summary

Learning that he only pretends to be drunk shows Scout that Mr. He insists that he believes in the court and he knows the jury will review the evidence and come to the right choice. Scout and her brother Jem must face the loss of childhood innocence as they experience the hatred of their neighbors when their father Atticus, a lawyer, decides to represent Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. The geraniums, however, function much like Mrs. Dill feels better so him and Scout return to the courtroom just in time to hear the final statement by Atticus. If Scout believed that blacks were truly lesser, then her character would have no reason for telling this story — the story she'd tell, if she told one at all, would be markedly different.

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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: Chapter 17

to kill a mockingbird chapter 17 20 summary

Atticus asks her why she didn't fight harder, or why the siblings were away from her, or how Tom managed to use his left arm to beat her when his left arm was busted up from a cotton gin when he was young. Dill feels upset about the court case and cries. Gilmer ends his questioning. Chapter 14 -Aunt Alexandra doesn't want Calpurnia to work for the Finches, but Atticus had to convinceAlexandra to let her stay. Atticus cross examines Sheriff Tate by asking more specific questions about Mayella's injuries. Dubose's house when Mrs. The case logically appears to bend in favor of Tom Robinson.

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To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 20 Summary

to kill a mockingbird chapter 17 20 summary

She was pretty well beat up, but I heaved her to her feet and she washed her face in a bucket in the corner and said she was all right. At his last words the crowd. He then has Ewell write his name to show that he is left-handed, and, therefore, capable of having given Mayella a black eye on her right side. But, for an African American man to publicly admit feeling pity for any white person is overstepping societal bounds. When Atticus cross examines him, more details come out: Heck didn't call a doctor, despite the severity of Mayella's injuries; Mayella had a black eye on her right side; and there were finger marks around her throat where she'd been choked.


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To Kill a Mockingbird: Summary & Analysis Part 2: Chapters 17

to kill a mockingbird chapter 17 20 summary

His back was to us, but I could see his broad shoulders and bull-thick neck. He asks Ewell if he agrees with Sheriff Tate's description of Mayella's injuries. Her testimony soon proves that Mayella is unused to gentility and common courtesy. Ewell, whose behavior has been pompous or "flowery" in the sense that it has been flamboyant. While he had been fighting her off, her father had entered. She is explaining why she doubts the case her father is building.

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To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 17 Summary & Analysis

to kill a mockingbird chapter 17 20 summary

. Then Atticus questions Mr. Mayella takes the stand next. Ewell why no doctor was called it was too expensive and there was no need , and then has the witness write his name. Bob Ewell is called next on the witness stand.


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Chapter Summary 11

to kill a mockingbird chapter 17 20 summary

In the trial conducted in the mind of the reader, it is the white community, wallowing in prejudice and hatred, that loses. Right then, Calpurnia comes in. When Ewell writes out his name, Scout says Judge Taylor looks at him as if he were a "gardenia in bloom. Bob tries to use this to garner sympathy with the jury when he theatrically accuses Tom of raping his daughter. In Maycomb society and, truthfully, the Southern United States at this time , basic human kindness from a black person to a white person is impermissible. She gives her side of the story, claiming that Tom had forcefully entered the house, and had taken advantage of her, hitting her all the while. Judge Taylor warns the crowd and Mr.

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To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 17 Summary and Analysis

to kill a mockingbird chapter 17 20 summary

However, if they convict Tom, they do so knowing that they're sentencing an innocent man to death. What Teachers Look For In Vce English Students Lisa S Study Guides To Kill A Mockingbird Summaries For Chapters 17 31 Homework Please To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter 17 Summary Analysis Litcharts 45 Best Atticus Quotes From To Kill A Mockingbird Kidadl To Kill A Mockingbird Chapters 1 8 Review By Jacqueline Tesoriero Luke 4 Commentary Precept Austin To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter 17 Summary Video Lesson Transcript Study Com To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter 17 By Abbey Broughton Sentence Starters To Broaden Your Vocabulary In Analysing Argument Lisa S Study Guides To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter 17 Summary Analysis Youtube Summary Of Chapter 17 In To Kill A Mockingbird Youtube Never Let Me Go And Stasiland Lisa S Study Guides Special Events For Seniors In Mississauga Area April 2017 To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter 17 Summary Course Hero Sentence Starters To Broaden Your Vocabulary In Analysing Argument Lisa S Study Guides To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter 17 Summary Video Lesson Transcript Study Com To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter 17 Summary Video Lesson Transcript Study Com. He is very poor and uneducated. Scout thinks that the only thing that makes Mr. Tate says it was her right eye.

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