What are some important quotes in the book To Kill a Mockingbird, Chapters 23-31, with the page numbers?

These chapters focus on the events following the trial.  One of the impacts of the trial is that Bob Ewell blames Atticus for ruining his reputation.  Even though Mayella accused Tom Robinson of rape and he was convicted, Ewell hates Atticus for his role in parading the family’s dirty laundry in front of the whole city. 

Bob Ewell confronts Atticus in town and spits in his face.  This shows the depth of Ewell’s bitterness, but it also demonstrates Atticus’s personality.  Atticus remained calm and made a joke about the whole thing, and never took Ewell seriously. 

Mr. Ewell was a veteran of an obscure war; that plus Atticus’s peaceful reaction probably prompted him to inquire, “Too proud to fight, you nigger-lovin‘ bastard?” Miss Stephanie said Atticus said, “No, too old,” put his hands in his pockets and strolled on. (Ch. 23, p. 291) 

This quote is important because it demonstrates that Atticus is not willing to stoop to Bob Ewell’s level.  He is also not afraid. All he said was that he wished Ewell didn’t chew tobacco.  However, this quote is also significant because it foreshadows Ewell’s attack on the children. Look at these quotes of when his children want him to protect himself by carrying a gun. 

“You know he wouldn’t carry a gun, Scout. He ain’t even got one—” said Jem.

“You know he didn’t even have one down at the jail that night. He told me havin‘ a gun around’s an invitation to somebody to shoot you.” (Ch. 23, p. 292) 

This quote shows that even though Atticus is the best shot in town, he doesn’t use that skill often.  He shot the dog when he had to, to protect everyone, but he does not like guns and doesn’t even own one.  He doesn’t want to have to shoot someone, not even Bob Ewell. 

After Bob Ewell attacks Scout and Jem, Atticus and Heck Tate agree not to tell anyone that Boo Radley killed him.  Sherriff Tate makes the final decision. 

There’s a black boy dead for no reason, and the man responsible for it’s dead. Let the dead bury the dead this time, Mr. Finch. Let the dead bury the dead.” (Ch. 30, p. 369) 

They are trying to protect Boo Radley from the attention he would get, even though what he did was justified.  Radley is incredibly shy.  Atticus asks Scout if she understands, and she says that it would be “sort of like shootin‘ a mockingbird” (p. 370).  This demonstrates that Scout has developed an adult’s level of empathy.  She wants to protect Boo too. 

When Scout walks Boo Radley home, it is kind of like living out a fantasy.  She has spent all of her childhood wondering about him.  Radley is gentle, shy, and delicate.  Coming out of his house to save the children was a big deal for him.  After walking him home, Scout stands on his porch and relives her childhood from his point of view. 

Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough. (Ch. 31, p. 374) 

By standing literally in his place, Scout comes full circle.  She understands Boo Radley’s motivations even more.  She realizes that he cared quite a lot about her and her brother.  He watched them grow up, and was protective of them. 

(Note: Page numbers are from the fiftieth anniversary edition, and will vary by edition.)