Overview
This summary covers the main plot events, characters, and themes of Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird," focusing on childhood, prejudice, justice, and moral growth.
Setting & Main Characters
- The story takes place in Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression.
- Scout Finch lives with her brother Jem and their widowed father Atticus, a respected lawyer.
- The Finch children befriend Dill and become fascinated by their reclusive neighbor, Boo Radley.
Early Events & Childhood Adventures
- Scout starts school and dislikes it.
- Jem and Scout find gifts in a tree on the Radley property, believed to be from Boo Radley.
- The children attempt to spy on Boo, leading to an incident where Jem loses and later finds his mended pants on the Radley fence.
- Nathan Radley plugs the knothole, ending the gifts.
Rising Tensions & Prejudice
- Atticus agrees to defend Tom Robinson, a Black man accused of raping a white woman, drawing community backlash.
- Jem and Scout face insults from peers and adults because of Atticus's role in the trial.
- Calpurnia, the Finches' Black cook, takes the children to her church, exposing them to Maycomb's Black community.
The Trial of Tom Robinson
- Atticus faces down a lynch mob with Scout’s innocence helping to disperse them.
- At the trial, Atticus presents evidence that Mayella Ewell and her father, Bob, are lying, but Tom is convicted by the all-white jury.
- Tom later tries to escape prison and is killed.
Aftermath & Climax
- Bob Ewell seeks revenge, harassing Tom’s widow and attempting to harm Jem and Scout.
- Boo Radley saves Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell, fatally stabbing him in their defense.
- The sheriff protects Boo by declaring Ewell’s death accidental.
- Scout finally understands Boo’s perspective, demonstrating empathy and maturity.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Prejudice — Prejudgment or bias, especially on race, central to the novel’s conflicts.
- Mockingbird — Symbol of innocence harmed by evil; Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are "mockingbirds."
- Empathy — Understanding others' experiences, a lesson Scout learns through the story.
- Southern Gothic — Literary style featuring decay, outsiders, and social issues, present in the novel.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review characters and their roles in the trial.
- Reflect on examples of empathy and prejudice in the novel.
- Prepare for discussion or essay on themes such as justice and moral growth.