Contents
Chapter 16
Overview
The morning after the jail confrontation, Atticus frames the mob as ordinary people swayed by crowd pressure, while Aunt Alexandra disapproves. Despite being told to stay home, Scout, Jem, and Dill slip into Tom Robinson’s trial. With Reverend Sykes’s help, they sit in the colored balcony and witness Judge Taylor open proceedings as Heck Tate takes the stand.
Summary
That night’s fear keeps Scout awake until Jem comforts her. At breakfast, Aunt Alexandra condemns the children’s nighttime excursion, while Atticus notes Mr. Underwood’s racism but defends open speech before Calpurnia. He explains to Scout and Jem that Walter Cunningham is a good man with “blind spots,” and that the mob was stopped when Scout made Cunningham see Atticus as a fellow person.
Atticus orders Scout and Jem to avoid town, but news of the previous night spreads. The morning brings streams of townspeople headed for Tom Robinson’s trial. Miss Maudie refuses to attend, calling it morbid; Miss Stephanie hurries courthouse-ward. Atticus returns at noon, reporting jury selection, and after lunch the children go to town anyway.
The square becomes a picnic-like spectacle. Jem explains Dolphus Raymond’s reputation, his supposed constant drinking, and his mixed children, and he describes how “one drop” makes a person Black in Maycomb’s eyes. As an unseen signal sends crowds into the courthouse, the children try to enter but are blocked by the crush and the Idlers’ Club.
Reverend Sykes finds the children and escorts them to the colored balcony, where Black attendees give up front-row seats. From above, Scout observes the all-farmer jury, the attorneys’ tables, and Judge Taylor’s informal manner. The chapter closes as court convenes under Judge Taylor and Sheriff Heck Tate takes the witness stand, beginning Tom Robinson’s trial.
Who Appears
- Scout FinchNarrator; processes last night’s danger, defies orders, and watches the trial from the colored balcony.
- Jem FinchComforts Scout, debates Atticus about mob morality, guides the group to the courthouse balcony.
- Atticus FinchExplains mob psychology and empathy; forbids the children from town; begins Tom Robinson’s defense.
- Aunt AlexandraDisapproves of the children’s actions and Atticus’s openness; worries about family reputation.
- Dill HarrisEager for the spectacle; accompanies Scout and Jem to the crowded courthouse.
- Reverend SykesSecures seats for the children in the colored balcony so they can view the trial.
- Mr. Dolphus RaymondSits with Black spectators, drinks from a paper bag; subject of town gossip about mixed children.
- Miss Maudie AtkinsonRefuses to attend the trial, condemning the public’s morbid curiosity.
- Judge TaylorInformal but firm presiding judge who opens Tom Robinson’s trial.
- Miss Stephanie CrawfordGossipy neighbor heading to the courthouse, eager for news about the case.
- Heck TateSheriff; first witness called as the trial begins.
- Mr. Braxton UnderwoodNewspaper editor discussed at breakfast; had protected Atticus the previous night.