To Kill a Mockingbird Summary
Introduction
To Kill A Mockingbird is set during the mid 1930s in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama. The story is narrated by a six year old girl named Jean Louise Finch or "Scout". Scout lives with her older brother Jem and her father Atticus Finch, a widowed lawyer. To the children, Atticus is a friend, confidant, teacher and an authority. The children are both terrified and fascinated by their mysterious neighbor, Arthur "Boo" Radley, a recluse who rarely leaves his house.
Tom Robinson's Trial
Slowly the outside world of Maycomb's prejudice and racism begins to penetrate into Scout and Jem's idyllic childhood. Because Atticus Finch is considered to be upstanding and unbiased, he is appointed to defend a black farm worker named Tom Robinson, who is accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a young white woman. While the reader is shown Tom Robinson's humanity and point of view through the actions of Atticus Finch, the majority of the white population see Tom Robinson as just an inferior with no rights.
Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson during the trial
in the To Kill A Mockingbird movie
Atticus is scorned by many of his fellow citizens because of his attitude that a black man should have the same rights as a white man. The town's rejection is also felt by his children. In this environment of bigotry and intolerance, Atticus tries to teach his children the difference between prejudice and the truth as he helps them on their way to growing up.
During the trial Atticus disproves the accusations against Tom Robinson. Nevertheless the white jury follows the unwritten law of never believing a black man's word over a white's and declares Tom Robinson guilty. As Tom then desperately attempts to break out of prison he is shot and killed.
Boo Radley
Because of his dedicated commitment to Tom Robinson, Atticus Finch earns the hatred of Bob Ewell, the father of the alleged victim, whose statements were exposed as lies during the trial. Bob Ewell stalks and attacks the children one evening but they are saved by the reclusive Boo Radley. During the struggle Bob Ewell is fatally stabbed, however in order to protect Boo the sheriff insists that Bob fell on his own knife.
Conclusion
After sitting with Scout for a short while Boo once again disappears into his house. While standing in front of the Radley house Scout can at last imagine life from Boo's point of view. Ringing more true to her than ever before is her father's teaching against prejudice and his belief that we can never really know someone until we walk in their shoes.
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Harper Lee