To Kill a Mockingbird Part 2: Chapter 12 Summary

Chapter 12 Summary

• Jem distances himself from Scout; she turns to Calpurnia for companionship.
• Atticus is absent for two weeks due to a legislative emergency.
• Calpurnia takes Jem and Scout to First Purchase Church, established by former slaves.
• Conflict arises when Lula objects to the children’s presence at the church, but Calpurnia defends them.
• The congregation, unable to read, relies on Zeebo to lead hymns; they collect money for Tom Robinson’s wife.
• News of Tom Robinson's case, sparked by Bob Ewell's accusation, emerges.

Chapter 13 Summary

• Aunt Alexandra moves in to provide a feminine influence but is disliked by Jem and Scout.
• She attempts to mold Atticus into a stricter father, but he resists.

Chapter 14 Summary

• Scout learns about rape; tensions rise about attending Calpurnia's church.
• Alexandra disapproves of the children's plans, leading to conflict.
• Dill shows up under Scout's bed, having run away due to neglect from his guardians.
• Conversing with Dill, Scout wonders why Boo Radley stays in his house.

Chapter 15 Summary

• Townsmen visit Atticus and inform him that Tom Robinson will be moved to jail.
• Scout, Jem, and Dill sneak out to the County Jail to find Atticus.
• Confrontation occurs with a mob seeking Tom; Scout diffuses the situation by speaking to Mr. Cunningham.

Chapter 16 Summary

• The trial begins, drawing a crowd from the county, including various townsfolk.
• Jem, Scout, and Dill secretly enter the courtroom and sit in the balcony designated for Black attendees.
• Judge Taylor presides over the trial, maintaining a casual approach.

Chapter 17 Summary

• Sheriff Heck Tate testifies against Tom Robinson; Bob Ewell corroborates his story.
• Atticus reveals Bob's left-handedness, suggesting he may be responsible for Mayella’s injuries.

Chapter 18 Summary

• Mayella Ewell testifies, describing the incident with Tom.
• Atticus’ respectful treatment of Mayella confuses her, highlighting her difficult life.
• Mayella contradicts herself during questioning, revealing inconsistencies in her story.

Chapter 19 Summary

• Tom Robinson testifies that he helped Mayella and she made the advances.
• Link Deas vouches for Tom as a good man but is dismissed.
• Tom explains the necessity for a Black man to flee from danger, prompting Dill's emotional response.

Chapter 20 Summary

• Dill learns about Mr. Dolphus Raymond, a white man who lives among Black people, pretending to be drunk.
• Atticus delivers his closing remarks, urging the jury to fulfill their duty.

Chapter 21 Summary

• Calpurnia alerts Atticus that the children are in the courtroom; Atticus allows them to stay.
• The verdict is reached: Tom is found guilty.

Chapter 22 Summary

• Jem and Scout are devastated by the verdict; the Black community expresses gratitude to Atticus.
• Miss Maudie offers a hopeful perspective on the trial as a progressive step.

Chapter 23 Summary

• Atticus has hope for Tom’s appeal; the jury’s decision was close.
• Scout’s request to invite Walter Cunningham is denied by Alexandra.
• Scout and Jem contemplate prejudice while understanding Boo’s reclusive choice.

Chapter 24 Summary

• Aunt Alexandra hosts lunch for the women of the town; Atticus brings news of Tom's death during an escape attempt.

Chapter 25 Summary

• Scout's encounter with a roly-poly highlights her growing understanding of innocence.
• Mr. Underwood compares Tom’s trial to the slaughter of songbirds, indicating injustice.

Chapter 26 Summary

• The return to school marks a shift in Scout's feelings towards Boo Radley.
• Conversations about Nazi Germany spark Scout's curiosity about selective empathy.

Chapter 27 Summary

• Bob Ewell struggles to hold a job; Helen Robinson receives support from Link Deas.
• For Halloween, Scout is cast as a ham in a school pageant.

Chapter 28 Summary

• On their way to school, Scout and Jem are frightened; during the school play, Scout falls asleep and misses her cue.
• The children are attacked on the way home; Jem is injured, and later it’s revealed Bob Ewell is dead.

Chapter 29 Summary

• Heck Tate interviews Scout, who realizes Boo Radley defended her and Jem from Bob Ewell.

Chapter 30 Summary

• Atticus suspects Jem killed Bob; Heck clarifies Boo's role in the incident.
• The decision is made to protect Boo from public scrutiny, symbolizing respect for innocence.

Chapter 31 Summary

• Scout walks Boo home, reflecting on her journey and newfound understanding.
• The story concludes with Scout finding comfort in her father’s presence, merging childhood and maturity.