in chapter 21 to kill a mockingbird Calpurnia passes Atticus a note from aunt Alexandra notifying him that the children are missing Braxton Underwood the newspaper publisher points out that Jem Scout and dill are sitting in the colored balcony Atticus sends them home but not before Jim begs him to let them come back Atticus reluctantly agrees but only after they've eaten dinner the children go home to a shocked alexandra who expresses her disapproval of her brother's consent to allow the children to see the trial after they eat they go back to the courthouse where Reverend Sykes has saved their seats time goes by and it's late so the children begin to doze off finally the jury is out and dill and Scout late to find the courtroom still packed as the guilty verdict is read Scout recalls that everything took on a dreamlike state she reports the details Atticus packing his briefcase saying something to mr. Gilmer and the court reporter speaking softly to Tom Robinson and as Atticus turns toward the aisle to leave Scout becomes aware of someone poking her it's Reverend Sykes pointing out that her father is passing and Scout realizes that everyone in the colored balcony has stood to honor Atticus as he leaves Calpurnia's interruption of the trial reminds the reader that Makem is a small community it's a town where everyone knows each other's name and busies those qualities can be a good thing but also bad in the case of racism and Prejudice the trial of Tom Robinson was proof of that Atticus willingness to allow the children to come back shows how much their relationship has matured the tension leading up to this chapter makes the verdict a fitting climax although some people like gem are disappointed it couldn't have gone any other way a significant moment occurs when the black community honors Atticus as he passes this honor stands in stark contrast to the racial politics practiced by the white citizens of Makem underlining what sets Atticus Finch apart from his fellows you [Music]