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What happens in Chapters 20–22 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
In Chapter 20, Scout and Dill speak to Mr. Dolphus Raymond who tells them that he pretends to be a drunk to provide other white people with an explanation for why he prefers Black people. Atticus gives his closing remarks in the courtroom, and when he finishes, Calpurnia tells him in Chapter 21 that the children have not been home. The children beg to hear the verdict, but they are briefly sent home for supper. The jury eventually delivers a guilty verdict. In Chapter 22, Miss Maudie invites the children over to her house, and Jem rallies against the injustice of the verdict. Miss Maudie consoles him by telling him that Judge Taylor assigned Atticus to the case, and that the jury’s long deliberation constituted a sign of progress in race relations.
Read our Summary & Analysis of Chapters 20–22 of To Kill a Mockingbird. (3-minute read)
What key characters are developed in Chapters 20–22 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
Scout learns Mr. Dolphus Raymond’s secret in Chapter 20—that he prefers the company of the Black community, and only pretends to be a drunkard because it prevents the people of Maycomb from criticizing his choices.
Read our Character List descriptions for To Kill a Mockingbird. (4-minute read)
What key themes from To Kill a Mockingbird are explored in Chapters 20–22?
The themes of Racial Prejudice and The Limits of the Law permeate this chapter, culminating in Tom Robinson’s guilty verdict despite evidence of his innocence and Bob Ewell’s guilt.
Read more about the novel’s key Themes. (4-minute read)
Why does the jury find Tom Robinson guilty?
The jury finds Tom Robinson guilty of a crime he clearly did not commit because their overwhelming racism makes it almost impossible for him to receive a fair trial.
Read more about the verdict in our Q&A section. (1-minute read)
What famous quotes from To Kill a Mockingbird appear in Chapter 20–22?
In this quote from Mr. Dolphus Raymond in Chapter 20, he explains that eventually Dill will become so accustomed to the heartbreaking racial injustice of the world that he won’t cry about it so much:
“Cry about the simple hell people give other people—without even thinking. Cry about the hell white people give colored folks, without even stopping to think that they’re people, too.”
In this famous quote from Chapter 22, Reverend Sykes directs Scout to stand for Atticus as he exits the courtroom, signaling the Black community’s respect and gratitude for the care with which Atticus built Tom’s defense, despite the inevitable conclusion:
“‘Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father’s passin’.’”
