TKAM post 7

Perspective of Jem

Dill started crying. I told Scout to take him outside, after all I am the oldest and i should get to hear this case, because I am the only one who probably understands it. I thought it was kind of irrelevant that Dill started crying, but I didn't really care, I just wanted to watch the case. while Scout and Dill were leaving, Atticus and Mr.Gilmer were making there closing arguments. In Atticus's speech, he says that Mayella is guilty of two things; lying, and tempting a "nigger." He said he thinks Tom Robinson may be innocent and not guilty, but Mayella is guilty of those two things.

Scout and Dill came back, and were talking and asking what they missed, but I just told them to "Sshhh." It was hot in this court room, and we had been there almost all day. When Atticus was making his final speech, me and Scout saw Atticus do something he has never done before. He took off his coat and loosened his tie. The only other time we had seen Atticus doing this was before bed when he puts on his pajamas. This was like looking at him naked in front of this giant room full of people. I call this a troublesome predicament.

Atticus and Mr. Glimmer finished their speeches, the jury went to deliberate. I looked down off the balcony, and I saw Calpurnia walking straight up the aisle to Atticus. I knew that me and Scout were in big trouble. I saw Cal and Atticus talking, and Judge Taylor pointed up at us. We tried to duck but they saw us. We ran down stairs, and Calpurnia and Atticus caught up with us. Atticus said that since we have already heard it all, we may as well hear the rest. He told us to go home and eat dinner really slowly. Cal marched Dill, Scout, and I home and reminds us once again to eat slowly. Of course we didn't! we scarfed down our food especially when Calpurnia wasn't looking (we tried to be subtlety.) After we ate, we ran back to the court house, and the jury still wasn't there. Aunt Alexandra was not happy about letting us go back to court, but we just ran before she could even get a word into us.

We waited almost 2 1/2 more hours for the jury to come back. I know, as a son of a lawyer that when the jury returns, they never look at the person who is decided guilty. When they are coming back in, none of them are looking at Tom Robinson. Judge Taylor reads out the votes from the jury "Guilty......... guilty........ guilty....... guilty......" How could he loose?! I am out of my mind, this is improbable. The court room started to empty out, and all the Negros on the balcony rise in honor and respect of Atticus. I rise too. We slowly empty out of the court room. I cried that night. I cannot believe the injustice of that jury. they must be out of their minds. I ask Atticus why they could have let Tom loose, and he said "They've done it before, they did it tonight, and they'll do it again." I told him, I just didn't under stand why he could lost, and i went to bed, crying.

The next day when I wake up, Atticus is back to normal, and not really sad, or at least he wasn't showing it. There was a ton of food on the table, and I asked Cal where it all came from. She said that all the negro community gave it to Atticus and left it on the back porch, because they were happy that he tried to defend Tom Robinson. it was inevitable. All this food out of no where. We had buns this morning, and so many of my favorite things later.

Later, Miss Maudie invited me, Scout, and Dill in for cake. It was wonderful. Miss Stephanie Crawford was talking to Miss Maudie, and Mr. Avery about the court case, and tried to talk to us about it. She told us that this morning, Atticus was on his way to town to go to work, and Mr. Ewell walked by him, spit in his face and said "I can't believe you tried to make me and my family loose. You will have your revenge some day." Atticus, being the grown man walked away, and wished that Mr. Ewell didn't chew tobacco.

Everyone is worrying about the threats that Bob gave to Atticus, except Atticus. He just doesn't believe that Bob can make that happen. Tom Robinson gets sent to another jail, 70 miles away. Scout asked Atticus what will happen to Tom, he says that since rape is a capitol offence, Tom will probably get the electric chair. That night, I show Scout that I am growing chest hair, and I tell her that I am going to try out for football in the fall.