To Kill a Mockingbird Summary Chapters 8-16
Chapter 8
Snow fell one night and Scout thought it was the end of the world.
Miss Maudie’s house caught fire. While Scout was watching, Boo
Radley slipped a blanket around her shoulders. Jem is afraid to return
the blanket because he is afraid of what Nathan may do to Boo.
Kindness is the prominent theme. Courage is also an important theme.
Chapter 9
Introduction to the main action of the story – Atticus’ defense of Tom
Robinson. The family visits Finch’s Landing for Christmas celebration
with Uncle Jack, Aunt Alexandra and Cousin Francis. Francis taunts
Scout for Atticus defending Tom Robinson. This chapter is very
important in understanding the full meaning of the novel. Atticus has
been appointed to defend a Negro. Scout is ridiculed by one of her
schoolmates because of this. The attitude of the townspeople toward
blacks is shown.
At first Scout fights with her fists because she doesn’t know any other
way to fight. Later, she sees injustice performed by someone she loves.
She begins to realize that lack of knowledge often leads people to do
things that they might not otherwise do.
Chapter 10
This chapter gives us a clearer picture of Atticus. First, we see him as a
kind understanding man; his children learn that he is also brave. We
see a contrast in the attitude of the two children. Scout still does not
understand why things should or should not be done; Jem begins to
have a sense of values. “Atticus is a gentleman, just like me.”
Chapter 11
Mrs. Dubose, the meanest woman in the world, scolds Jem and Scout
every time she sees them. Jem took a baton and wrecked all of her
flowers after she insults Atticus. Atticus makes him apologize and reatd
to her for two hours a day for one month. Soon after, she dies.
Atticus refers to her as the bravest woman he ever knew. Atticus wants
the children to understand real courage is when someone fights a
battle they know from the beginning he or she cannot when. This was
the case for Mrs. Dubose as she battled to free herself of a morphine
addiction, even though she knew she was dying.
The end of Part 1 of the novel: The children have seen three examples
of adult bakery: Miss Maudie with her house, Atticus with the shooting,
and Mrs. Dubose with her death.
Chapter 12(Part II of the Novel)
Calpurnia takes the children to her church; Jem and Scout enter the
Negro World. They learn Cal acts very differently with the Finch family
and the colored world. When they return home, Aunt Alexandra is
waiting on their porch.
Chapter 13
Aunt Alexandra came to spend the summer. Jem and Scout are not
happy about this arrangement. Atticus first told them that they should
listen to Aunt Alexandra until he realizes that she has a false sense of
values.
The theme of the importance of heredity and the caste system is
introduced. Aunt Alexandra is impressed by a “good name.” A good
name is one that can trace a long lineage. In contrast, Atticus places
little importance on family “breeding.” He is more interested in
personal value.
Chapter 14
Alexandra urges her brother to fire Calpurnia, but he won’t do it
Calpurnia is a faithful member of the family. The children discover Dill
under the bed and learn he has run away. Dill provides a contrast to
Alexandra. Where she puts faith in family name, at the expense of
truth and personal happiness, Dill ran away from home to find
happiness. Dill has the courage to see, happiness, instead of resigning
to a false value system.
Chapter 15
Some men come to warn Atticus that there might be trouble when they
move Tom into the county jail. The next night, Atticus goes and sits in
front of the jail. The children show up and Atticus is relieved, because
they want to be with him when they think he is in trouble. When Scout
recognizes Mr. Walter Cunningham in the mob and speaks nicely to
him, the men seem to come to their senses and leave peaceably.
There are two contrasting scenes described – the crowd outside the
Finch house and the mob outside the jail. Jem witnesses both scenes
and is afraid both times. His reaction to fear the first time is panic, and
the second is bravery.
Chapter 16
The day for Tom’s trial finally arrives. Atticus tells the children not to
go, but they don’t listen. The white people are seated in the gallery and
there is not even standing room left. When Rev. Sykes sees this, he
takes Scout and Jem to the balcony with him to sit with the black
people. Atticus intends to defend Tom Robinson no matter what
anyone might say. The case becomes a matter of conscience with him.