Contents
Chapter 24
Overview
During Aunt Alexandra’s missionary circle, the ladies’ piety contrasts with their racial hypocrisy. Miss Maudie pointedly rebukes Mrs. Merriweather’s insinuations about Atticus. Atticus arrives with news that Tom Robinson was shot dead trying to escape, and takes Calpurnia to inform Helen. Shocked, Alexandra and Scout regain composure, embodying quiet endurance.
Summary
Scout spends the afternoon at Aunt Alexandra’s missionary circle, helping Calpurnia serve refreshments. The ladies praise missionary work among the Mrunas while revealing racial prejudice at home. Mrs. Merriweather complains about discontented Black servants after the trial and hints that some townspeople, meaning Atticus, stirred up trouble.
Miss Maudie cuts through the sanctimony, icily asking if “his food doesn’t stick going down,” shaming Mrs. Merriweather for benefiting from Atticus while criticizing him. Aunt Alexandra wordlessly thanks Miss Maudie, and the gathering resumes its genteel chatter.
Atticus arrives early, pale, and asks Calpurnia to accompany him to Helen Robinson’s. He tells Alexandra, Miss Maudie, and Scout that Tom was shot seventeen times while trying to climb the prison fence during exercise. Atticus believes Tom lost hope in “white men’s chances.”
Shaken, Aunt Alexandra laments the toll on Atticus, while Miss Maudie argues that a principled handful in Maycomb trust him to do right. Scout trembles imagining the prison yard but composes herself when Miss Maudie urges steadiness.
Returning to the parlor, Aunt Alexandra and Miss Maudie resume serving as if nothing happened, masking grief with courtesy. Observing their poise, Scout resolves to be a lady too, offering cookies to Mrs. Merriweather with her best manners.
Who Appears
- Scout (Jean Louise Finch)Narrator; assists at the missionary tea, observes hypocrisy, and resolves to act like a lady.
- Aunt AlexandraHosts the missionary circle; distressed by Tom’s death but composes herself to lead with dignity.
- Miss Maudie AtkinsonRebukes Mrs. Merriweather’s hypocrisy; later steadies Alexandra and Scout, affirming trust in Atticus.
- Mrs. Grace MerriweatherDevout churchwoman; voices paternalistic, racist views and indirectly criticizes Atticus.
- Atticus FinchArrives with news of Tom’s death; takes Calpurnia to inform Helen; mournful yet composed.
- CalpurniaServes at the tea; departs with Atticus to tell Helen Robinson about Tom’s death.
- Tom RobinsonPrisoner who loses hope and is killed while attempting escape; central to the chapter’s shock.
- Mrs. FarrowMissionary member; echoes fears and prejudices while discussing the trial’s aftermath.
- Helen RobinsonTom’s wife; offstage, to be told of Tom’s death by Atticus and Calpurnia.
- Miss Stephanie CrawfordGossipy neighbor; teases Scout about court and dresses during the social hour.