Characters
Jean-Louise “Scout” Finch

Jeremy “Jem” Finch

Atticus Finch

Tom Robinson

MayellaEwell

Literary Terms
Simile- page 181
Allusion- page 181 and 182
Metaphor- page 189
Climax- Chapters 18-20
Flashback- the whole story; the witnesses’testimonies
To Kill a Mockingbird
Casey Bischoff, HebaYacoub, Jason Pappalardo, Dylan Winchell

Plot Summary

Chapters 18-20

The setting of chapters 18 through 20 is the courtroom, where Tom Robinson is being tried for raping MayellaEwell. Chapter 18 begins with Mayella being called up to the witness stand. Mayella’s lawyer, Mr. Glimer, asked her to describe in her own words what happened on the evening of November twenty-first. She said that she called Tom Robinson over to bust up a chiffarobe, and she would pay him a nickel for this chore. She claimed that when she went inside to get the nickel, Tom grabbed her around the neck, hit her, and took advantage of her. Afterwards, the protagonist, Atticus, began to question Mayella. Mayella was insecure and uncomfortable during the questioning. She cried frequently because she was scared of Atticus. Mayella’s description of the events on November twenty-first was contradicted when Atticus asked Tom Robinson to stand up, revealing his crippled left arm. Atticus also asked Mayella if her father, Bob Ewell, had beaten her. Mayella hesitated, but then replied that Tom Robinson was the one who beat her.

At the beginning of chapter 19, Tom Robinson is called to the witness stand. In his testimony, Tom said that he passed the Ewell’s house every day, going to and from work because there was no other way. When he walked by, Mayella would often ask Tom to do certain chores for her, such as busting up a chiffarobe. Tom would do it without pay because he felt sorry for Mayella. Tom explained that Mayella seemed lonely. According to Tom Robinson, on the evening of November twenty-first Mayella asked Tom to come inside the fence and fix the front door of her house. Tom said there was nothing wrong with the door. When he was about to leave, Mayella told him to come inside the house. She told him to get a box off the top of a dresser. Mayella then jumped on him and grabbed him around the waist. She kissed Tom and Mr. Ewell saw her do this through the window. Tom ran because he was scared of Mr. Ewell. Tom said he heard Mr. Ewell yell at Mayella, saying he was going to kill her.

Bob Ewell

Mr. Gilmer

Charles “Dill” Baker Harris

Mr. Dolphus Raymond

While Mr. Gilmer was questioning Tom, Dill began to cry. Mr. Gilmer’s rude attitude toward Tom overwhelmed Dill. Dill and Scout left the courtroom for a few minutes, allowing Dill to collect himself. While they were outside they met Mr. Dolphus Raymond, a white man who married a black woman and had mixed children. It was previously believed that Mr. Raymond was an alcoholic, but he revealed to the children thathe was merely drinking soda. He said that it was easier for people if they thought he was an alcoholic.

Chapter 20 concludes the court case. When Mr. Gilmer’s cross-examination of Tom Robinson came to a close, it was time for Atticus to present his final speech. During his speech, Atticus delivered a persuasive and powerful speech, concerning the equality of all men in court, regardless of their differences. The speech made a clear argument to support Tom as not guilty. Atticus finished his speech by preaching to the jury, “In the name of God, do your duty.”