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Scout takes Boo—“Mr. Arthur”—down to the porch, and they sit in shadow listening to Atticus and Heck Tate argue. Heck insists on calling the death an accident, but Atticus, thinking that Jem killed Bob Ewell, doesn’t want his son protected from the law. Heck corrects him—Ewell fell on his knife; Jem didn’t kill him.
- Test Your Knowledge Take The Part 2: Chapters 28-31 Quick Quiz
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- Symbols
That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” That Jem and...
- Important Quotes Explained
This quotation, from Chapter 1, is Scout’s introductory...
- Full Book Summary
Despite the verdict, Bob Ewell feels that Atticus and the...
- Key Facts
Rising Action Scout, Jem, and Dill become fascinated with...
- Character List
To Kill a Mockingbird characters include: Scout Finch,...
- Point of View
To Kill a Mockingbird is written in the first person, with...
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Its historical narrative provides important context for To...
- Test Your Knowledge Take The Part 2: Chapters 28-31 Quick Quiz
Summary: Chapter 23. Bob Ewell’s threats are worrisome to everyone except Atticus. Atticus tells Jem and Scout that because he made Ewell look like a fool, Ewell needed to get revenge. Now that Ewell has gotten that vengefulness out of his system, Atticus expects no more trouble. Aunt Alexandra and the children remain worried.
Scout, Atticus, Heck Tate, and Boo retire to the front porch. Atticus begins defending Jem, insisting that killing Bob Ewell was clearly self-defense. Sheriff Tate corrects Atticus, saying that Bob Ewell fell on his own knife. Atticus appreciates what Heck is trying to do, but he doesn't want anyone to cover for Jem.
Jem hears something unusual and tells Scout to be very quiet. Suddenly, a scuffle occurs. Scout hears Jem scream, and then steel-like arms begin crushing her inside the costume. Someone — Scout assumes it's Jem — pulls the attacker off her. Scout calls for Jem but gets no answer other than heavy breathing.
What Does the Ending Mean? The novel ends after Bob Ewell attacks Scout and Jem, and Boo Radley rescues them, killing Bob in the process. Atticus and Sheriff Heck Tate have a conversation about how to deal with the situation, and Scout walks Boo home. The conversation between Atticus and Heck can be difficult to understand, because the two men ...
Scout thinks all of this seems boring. Judge Taylor calls Bob Ewell to the stand as Scout notice Jem ’s grin. Bob Ewell is bright red and struts like a rooster. Scout tells the reader that the Ewells are always poor and on government assistance, whether it’s a depression era or not.
Later, Atticus says later that he wishes Mr. Ewell wouldn’t chew tobacco, while Miss Stephanie takes it upon herself to dramatically tell the story of Mr. Ewell spitting in Atticus’s face. Jem and Scout don’t think it’s entertaining—they’re terrified. They try several tactics to try to get Atticus to carry a gun, but it takes a ...
