Chapter+25

Maycomb’s reaction to the news of Tom’s death was no surprise. Every Negro that had been accused of rape, beating etc. and that landed in jail will always be dead one way or another. Thus they thought ‘typical’ of Tom to run, and then be shot down. The people of Maycomb didn’t have much respect for Negros only that they were meant to serve those who are higher than them. It was called ‘typical’ because it was just like the Negros to try to get out of jail and run, with no plan, or thought for the future. The people in Maycomb always thought of Negros being mild criminals, sometimes even looking for trouble so they don’t have to deal with the unfairness of themselves compared to the higher society of Maycomb. It was normal to think that when the drawing of the line between the Negros, the veneer (layer) was very thin, meaning they could pass, but not very far. This meaning that the men in the courts had all been against the idea that Tom did not rape Mayella Ewell, as she screamed and accused him of raping her and beating her. From the moment Mayella screamed, Tom was a dead man, he and Atticus knew in the courtroom, that it will always be unjust and the men in the room were listening but not taking in on the information that was given to them by Tom and Atticus. Thus Atticus had no case to begin with. Jem felt that it was never a good time to tell Atticus about what Bob Ewell had said as it was more of a threat to Atticus and this could end them up in big trouble. He had said that “it made one down and about two more to go”.
 * __Summary: __**
 * It is now September, and Jem and Scout are about to go to sleep on their cots on the back porch. Scout sees a roly-poly bug and goes to kill it. Jem stops her, saying the bug never did anything to harm her. Scout heeds his request and carefully takes the bug outside, noting internally that if anything, Jem is becoming more like a lady than she is. As she returns to her cot, she thinks of Dill and remembers his story of the day Tom Robinson died in late August.
 * Atticus and Calpurnia were driving out to see Tom's wife when they spotted Jem and Dill on their way back from swimming. Jem and Dill ask for a ride, and although hesitant at first, Atticus finally agrees to let them come along. Apparently, when Tom's wife saw Atticus and Calpurnia, she seemed to faint, falling to the ground in a heap. Tom's death was only news in Maycomb for two days, and was regarded as "typical," since prevailing opinion was that black men tend to run away without any plan.
 * Scout reflects that "in the secret courts of men's hearts," nothing Atticus could have said could have freed Tom. Upon hearing the news, Mr. Ewell is rumored to have said, "One down and about two more to go," and Scout is afraid for Atticus. Jem confidently tells Scout that Mr. Ewell won't really take any action on his threats.
 * __Questions: __**
 * **How does Maycomb react to the news of Tom’s death? **
 * **Comment on the idea that Tom’s death was “typical"? **
 * **Explain the contrast Scout draws between the court where Tom was tried and “the secret courts of men’s hearts”. In what way are hearts in courts? **
 * **Why did Jem not want Scout to tell Atticus about Bob Ewell’s comment? Was this a wise thing to ask her to do? **
 * __Quotes: __**
 * "Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men’s hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed."
 * "Miss Stephanie told Aunt Alexandra in Jem's presence ('Oh foot, he's old enough to listen,') that Mr. Ewell said it made one down and about two more to go. Jem told me not to be afraid; Mr. Ewell was more hot gas than anything."