Chapter 14/15 What caused the mob to form? To disperse? Why do people do things while part of a mob they would not do on their own? Why did Atticus respond to Jem the way he did?
In Chapter 15, Atticus reads near the entrance to the Maycomb jail where he is approached by a mob. The mob’s purpose is to intimidate Atticus and hurt Tom Robinson. The men converse in front of the jail, “ “You know what we want,” another man said “Get aside from the door, Mr. Finch” --“You can turn around and go home, Walter,” Atticus said pleasantly.” In this scene, Atticus standing in front of the jail door symbolically represents his refusal to step down from his commitment to Tom Robinson and his moral standards. It is also interesting that Atticus stays calm in his resistance to the violent hatred. Atticus illustrates a moral courage as opposed to a typical symbol of combative courage. This scene corresponds with Atticus’ peaceful determination in the face of conflict throughout the book.
The mob feels obligated to act in a group because they feel intimidated by Atticus’ strength and resilience. This is supported when Scout comments “In obedience to my father, there followed what I later realized was a sickeningly comic aspect of an unfunny situation: the men talked in near-whispers”. It is clear that the individuals in the mob are subconsciously anxious and easily subdued by Atticus’ firm position as they quickly obey Atticus’ command.
Later that night when Atticus and Jem walk home, Scout comments “Atticus and Jem were well ahead of us, and I assumed that Atticus was giving him hell for not going home, but I was wrong. As they passed under a streetlight, Atticus reached out and massaged Jem’s hair, his one gesture of affection.” Despite Atticus’ superficial plea to send Jem home, Jem had stayed strong in the face of danger. Jem knew that it was important for him to stay and protect his father. Atticus was proud of Jem for standing strong in a strenuous situation. He recognizes that Jem was courageous to persist with his peaceful fight. Jem showed real courage; not just the ability to threaten with a gun, but sense of inner courage when it is not easy to act like a hero. The chapter concludes as Jem walks with his father alone on the street, a symbol of Jem’s maturity and coexistence with his father. It is clear that Jem has become mature enough to finally walk in the footsteps of his wise father.
Question: Do you think it is symbolic that Atticus is reading in front of the church? How does Scout differ from Jem? Is Jem still on the verge of maturity or has he completely embraced his independence?
The following link is the url of a youtube video made by some teenagers. It's a very poor but slightly amusing reenactment of Chapter 15.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-FEkgNgh6Q&feature=related
Scout, i believe, is still maturing, as a result of her inability to understand these gestures between her father and her brother, and the mob and her father. Although she does not understand why her father has to defend a person of color, she accepts it as a result of her knowledge of her fathers wisdom and his morals.
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