Chapters 16-21 Analysis

Structure and Plot Development

Climax

• The long-awaited trial of Tom Robinson begins, attracting a large crowd to the courthouse.
• Despite clear evidence of Tom's innocence, the jury convicts him as guilty.

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Themes

Racism

• Mr Raymond pretends to be a drunk so the white community can justify why he lives with a black woman.
• The all-white jury convicts Tom, showing the town's deep-seated racism.

Innocence and Loss of Innocence

• Tom is innocent, but the racist jury still finds him guilty.
• Jem, Scout, and Dill lose their belief in the fairness of the justice system.

The Law

• Mayella Ewell's lies are accepted by a white, male jury, leading to Tom's wrongful conviction.
• Justice is not served, as the courts protect the white community rather than seek fairness.

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Tone

• Excitement builds as the trial unfolds.
• Anger arises from the unfair treatment of Tom.
• Jem and Dill feel upset about the way Mr Gilmer speaks to Tom.
• Jem is devastated by the verdict, struggling to accept the injustice.

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Chapter Summaries

Key People in the Trial

• Judge: Judge Taylor
• Jury: 12 white men
• Prosecuting Lawyer: Mr Gilmer
• Defendant: Tom Robinson
• Defence Lawyer: Atticus Finch

What Happens in Chapter 16?

• The Finch family discusses the trial in the morning.
• Dill arrives at the Finch house, talking about the town's reaction.
• Atticus leaves for the courthouse, warning the children not to go.
• In the afternoon, Jem, Scout, and Dill sneak into town to see the trial.
• The courtroom is packed with white people, so Reverend Sykes helps them sit in the black balcony.
• Literary Device: Hyperbole – Dill exaggerates events when retelling them.

What Happens in Chapters 17-19?

• Key witnesses are questioned: Sheriff Heck Tate, Bob Ewell, Mayella Ewell, and Tom Robinson.
• Bob Ewell claims Tom raped Mayella, but Tom's disabled left hand proves he could not have hurt her.
• Tom testifies that Mayella made advances on him, and Bob beat her in anger.
• Heck Tate states Mayella's bruises were on the right side, suggesting Bob Ewell (who is left-handed) hit her.
• Dill is upset by Mr Gilmer's harsh treatment of Tom.

What Happens in Chapter 20?

• The children meet Mr Raymond, who only pretends to drink alcohol so people accept his lifestyle.
• He actually drinks Coca-Cola but lets people believe otherwise.
• He tells Scout and Dill that society needs excuses to explain behaviour they do not understand.

What Happens in Chapter 21?

• Calpurnia interrupts the trial, delivering a note from Aunt Alexandra about the missing children.
• Atticus allows them to return to hear the verdict.
• The jury takes hours to decide but ultimately convicts Tom.
• As Atticus leaves the courtroom, the black community stands in respect.

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Key Vocabulary from Chapter 16

• Affirmed (verb, past tense): Firmly declared or stated.
• Akimbo (adjective): Standing with hands on hips and elbows bent outward.
• Circuit solicitor (noun): A lawyer who travels to different locations to prosecute cases.
• Dispel (verb, present tense): To drive away.
• Eccentricities (noun): Unusual or odd behaviour.
• Elucidate (verb, present tense): To explain.
• Fey (adjective): Strange or eccentric.
• Khaki (adjective): Yellowish-brown colour, often used for cotton cloth or clothing.
• Litigants (noun): People who bring cases to court.
• Mennonites (noun): Church members who believe in living simply and dressing plainly.
• Profane (adjective): Not connected to religion; irreverent.
• Prominent (adjective): Important or well-known.
• Ruddy (adjective): Reddish in colour.
• Scripture (noun): Religious text (often referring to the Bible).
• Snickered (verb, past tense): A version of 'sniggered', meaning a half-laugh.
• Subpoena (noun): A legal document ordering someone to appear in court.
• Subtle (adjective): Not obvious; quiet.
• Sundry (adjective): Various or diverse.

Other Useful Information – Chapter 16

• Braxton Bragg: Confederate Army commander during the Civil War.
• Ethiopia: Ancient kingdom mentioned in the Bible; modern-day country in northeast Africa.
• Greek Revival Columns: A form of classical architectural design.
• Prohibition Ticket: Reference to Prohibition (1920-1933) when alcohol was banned in the US. Voting the Prohibition ticket meant supporting candidates who upheld the ban.
• William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925): Lawyer, politician, and famous public speaker known for drawing large crowds.

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Key Vocabulary from Chapter 17

• Acrimonious (adjective): Sarcastic, bitter, or nasty.
• Affirmative nod (adjective + noun): A positive nod to indicate 'yes'.
• Amber (adjective): Dark orange-yellow colour.
• Ambidextrous (adjective): Able to use both hands equally well.
• Amiably (adverb): In a friendly or good-natured manner.
• Audibly obscene speculations (adverb + adjective + noun): Thoughts expressed aloud that are offensive, especially sexually.
• Bantam cock (noun): A small, aggressive rooster.
• Benignly (adverb): Kindly or gently.
• Boiling (adjective): Describes an angry or unruly group.
• Capacity (noun): Ability.
• Cast (noun): A squint or sideways glance.
• Complacently (adverb): In a self-satisfied manner.
• Congenital (adjective): Present from birth (e.g., a congenital heart defect).
• Contempt charges (adjective + noun): Legal penalty for showing disrespect to a court or judge.
• Corroborating evidence (adjective + noun): Evidence that supports other testimony.
• Corrugated (adjective): Having ridges or grooves (e.g., corrugated metal sheets).
• Counsel (noun): Lawyers representing clients in court.
• Creepy (adjective): Unpleasantly thin or wrinkled (e.g., describing Mr Ewell's neck).
• Dictum (noun): An official statement or pronouncement.
• Dogged (adjective): Persistent or determined.
• Economic fluctuations (adjective + noun): Changes in a country's financial situation.
• Edge (noun): Sharpness.
• Gardenia (noun): A large, white, fragrant flower.
• Genially (adverb): In a warm and friendly way.
• Geraniums (noun): Easy-to-grow flowering plants.
• Gullet (noun): Throat or neck.
• Heaved (verb, past tense): Lifted something heavy.

Other Useful Information – Chapter 17

• Fountain Pen: A pen with a refillable ink nib.
• Icebox: A wooden cabinet used before refrigerators, kept cool with ice blocks.
• Model-T Ford (on blocks): Henry Ford's early motor car, often placed on blocks when not in use.
• Shotgun Hall: A hallway that runs straight from the front to the back door of a house.

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Key Vocabulary from Chapter 18

• Arid (adj.) – Very dry; without expression.
• Chiffarobe (noun) – A large cabinet with drawers and a wardrobe section.
• Constructionalist (noun) – Someone who interprets laws in a specific way.
• Contorted (verb, past tense) – Twisted into an unnatural shape.
• Dusk (noun) – The time just before nightfall.
• Exodus (noun) – A mass departure of people.
• Ground-itch (noun) – Itchy reaction to hookworms entering the body through bare feet.
• Grudging (adj.) – Doing something reluctantly.
• Lavations (noun) – Washing of the body.
• Mollified (adj.) – Soothed; calmed down.
• Neutrality (noun) – Remaining impartial in an argument.
• Perpetual (adj.) – Continuous; never-ending.
• Pilgrimage (noun) – A long walk or journey.
• Proof of the pudding (phrase) – The results determine the value of something.
• Riled (adj.) – Angry.
• Strenuous (adj.) – Requiring hard effort.
• Tedious (adj.) – Boring.
• Tollable (adj.) – Mispronounced form of 'tolerable'; meaning acceptable or fair.
• Wrathfully (adv.) – Angrily.

Other Key Information (Chapter 18)

• Cotton gin – A machine that separates cotton fibres from seeds.
• Mr Jingle – A character from The Pickwick Papers known for speaking in short phrases.

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Key Vocabulary from Chapter 19

• Candid (adj.) – Open and honest.
• Ex cathedra remarks (adj. + noun) – Authoritative statements.
• Expunge (verb) – To completely remove.
• Grimly (adv.) – Sternly; without humour.
• Impudent (adj.) – Disrespectful; cheeky.
• Subtlety (of Tom's predicament) (noun) – The complex details of Tom's situation.
• Thin-hided (adj.) – Very sensitive.
• Unimpaired (adj.) – Unhurt; undamaged.
• Volition (noun) – Will or choice; the ability to make decisions freely.

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Key Vocabulary from Chapter 20

• Aridity (noun) – Extreme dryness.
• Attentive (adj.) – Observant; paying close attention.
• Calibre (noun) – Strength or quality of character.
• Capital charge (adj. + noun) – A charge punishable by death.
• Corrupting (verb, continuous tense) – Lowering someone's moral standards.
• Cynical confidence (adj. + noun) – Belief that people act selfishly for personal gain.
• Discreet (adj.) – Careful in actions or speech.
• Fraud (noun) – A lie; a trick; dishonest behaviour.
• Indicted (verb, past tense) – Formally accused or charged.
• Iota (noun) – A very small amount.
• Minute (adj.) – Extremely detailed.
• Pauper (noun) – A very poor person.
• Perpetrated (verb, past tense) – Committed (a crime or wrongdoing).
• Run-of-the-mill (adj.) – Ordinary; unexceptional.
• Temerity (noun) – Boldness; excessive confidence.
• Unmitigated (adj.) – Absolute; without doubt.

Other Key Information (Chapter 20)

• "All men are created equal" – A phrase from the American Declaration of Independence.
• Distaff side of the Executive branch – Reference to Eleanor Roosevelt and her role in politics.
• Einstein – Albert Einstein (German-born physicist, 1879–1955).
• Rockefeller – John D. Rockefeller (American businessman, 1839–1937).
• Thomas Jefferson – Third U.S. President and author of the Declaration of Independence.

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Key Vocabulary from Chapter 21

• Acquit (verb, present tense) – To declare not guilty.
• Charged the jury (verb + noun) – Giving instructions to the jury before deliberation.
• Demurred (verb, past tense) – Raised objections.
• Exhilarated (adj.) – Extremely happy and excited.
• Fretfully (adv.) – Complaining or behaving anxiously.
• Indignant (adj.) – Angry due to perceived unfairness.
• Intensity (noun) – Strength or power.
• Peeved (adj.) – Irritated or annoyed.
• Railing (noun) – A barrier or fence made of rails.
• Relenting (verb, continuous tense) – Becoming less strict.
• Remorse (noun) – A feeling of guilt or regret.
• Toyed with (verb, past tense) – Considered something lightly or without seriousness.

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Summary & Key Themes (Chapters 18-21)

• Chapter 18 – Mayella Ewell's testimony and Atticus's questioning expose inconsistencies in her story.
• Chapter 19 – Tom Robinson testifies, highlighting his kindness towards Mayella and the racial prejudices in court.
• Chapter 20 – Atticus's closing argument criticises racial bias and upholds justice, while Mr Raymond reveals his act of deception.
• Chapter 21 – The jury deliberates and ultimately finds Tom guilty, despite strong evidence of his innocence.