Insights from Key Quotes in "To Kill a Mockingbird" Chapters 12-15
Atticus demonstrates empathy and warns against mob mentality, highlighting segregation in Maycomb. Lee depicts the harsh reality of racial prejudices and social status through key quotes and character descriptions, setting the stage for the injustices faced by Tom Robinson. The Ewell family's unruly nature and Bob Ewell's disruptive behavior further reveal the deep-rooted issues in the community.
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To Kill A Mockingbird Chapters 12-15 Key Quotes
Important Quotations Explained CONTEXT- Atticus explaining the mob that harassed him over Tom QUOTATION- A mob s always made up of people, no matter what. Mr Cunningham was part of a mob last night, but he was still a man. Every mob in every Southern town is always made up of people you know- doesn t say much for them, does it? pg 173 EXPLANATION- Atticus shows his empathy towards his community, and also warns Jem about the perils of gang mentality. Through this incident, Lee condemns the mob lynchings of southern states during this time
Key Quotation Analysis CONTEXT- Jem explaining to Dill and Scout about race QUOTATION- How can you tell?...he looked black to me... Around here once you have a drop of Negro blood, that makes you all black. pg 178 EXPLANATION- Lee emphasises the rigid views on race in Maycomb, and the severe segregation that takes place. Any affilitation with black members of the community, such as Mr Dolphus children, is seen as negative and that person becomes an outcast
Key Quotation Analysis CONTEXT- Description of the jury QUOTATION- The jury sat to the left, under long windows. Sunburned, lanky, they seemed to be all farmers, but this was natural: townsfolk rarely sat on juries, they were either struck or excused. pg 181 EXPLANATION- The jury is made up of the countryfolk of Maycomb, and compared to the Cunninghams, making clear the lower social status of the group. Here Lee foreshadows Tom Robinson s low chances of success, as Lee has presented these characters as small-minded and prejudiced
Key Quotation Analysis CONTEXT- The Ewell family is described QUOTATION- Every town the size of Maycomb had families like the Ewells...No truant officers could keep their numerous offspring in school; no public health officer could free them from congenital defects, various worms and the diseases indigenous to filthy surroundings. pg 187 EXPLANATION- The Ewells are described as guests , suggesting that they do not provide for themselves and take all the benefits they can from being in the community without contributing. They live outside of the normal laws and cannot be controlled; they are unruly, dirty and seen as outsiders
Key Quotation Analysis CONTEXT- Bob Ewell s reaction to interrogation QUOTATION- Mr Ewell was sitting smugly in the witness chair, surveying his handiwork. With one phrase he had turned happy picnickers into a sulky, murmuring crowd, being slowly hypnotised by gavel taps pg 191 EXPLANATION- Bob Ewell is determined to disrupt proceedings with course language-delights in seeing things in chaos. Lee uses this moment to show his malicious nature, and arrogance during the court precedings.
Key Quotation Analysis CONTEXT- Judge Taylor explaining what usually happens in court cases QUOTATION- People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for pg 192 EXPLANATION- This highlights the prevalent issue of the court room drama, and that the people of Maycomb s prejudiced views are likely to cloud their judgement of the case. Foreshadows Tom Robinson s doomed case
Key Quotation Analysis CONTEXT- Bob Ewell being questioned about his writing QUOTATION- About your writing with your left hand, are you ambidextrous, Mr Ewell? I most positively am not, I can use one hand as good as the other. EXPLANATION- Bob Ewell s ignorance is shown here, as he does not understand the meaning of ambidextrious and believes he is being mocked. In his outrage, he unwittingly gives Atticus the evidence he needs to create his argument against Bob as the perpetrator.
Key Quotation Analysis CONTEXT- Description of Tom s appearance QUOTATION- His left arm was fully twelve inches smaller than his right, and hung dead at his side. It ended in a small shrivelled hand. EXPLANATION- Lee s character description of Tom s injuries are used to clearly highlight and underline Atticus main argument: Tom could not possibly have attacked Mayella due to his disabilities. This acts as a turning point in the novel, as the reader is now clear about Tom s true innocence.
