Skip to main content

What are Jem's views about the trial?

As the trial progresses, Jem becomes more and more confident in the possibility that Tom Robinson will be acquitted. After Atticus' final speech before the jury, Jem reassures Reverend Sykes that Tom will very likely be found innocent; he tells the minister not to "fret."


For his part, Reverend Sykes cautions Jem against over-confidence; he asserts that he's never seen a jury "decide in favor of a colored man over a white man." Despite the...

As the trial progresses, Jem becomes more and more confident in the possibility that Tom Robinson will be acquitted. After Atticus' final speech before the jury, Jem reassures Reverend Sykes that Tom will very likely be found innocent; he tells the minister not to "fret."


For his part, Reverend Sykes cautions Jem against over-confidence; he asserts that he's never seen a jury "decide in favor of a colored man over a white man." Despite the minister's warnings, Jem remains confident that his father's logical arguments will win the day. So, when the jury unanimously pronounces Tom Robinson guilty, Jem is shocked, dismayed, and angry. Scout relates that Jem's face is "streaked with angry tears" as the siblings make their way out of the courtroom.


At home, Jem tearfully asks Atticus how a jury could have ignored the clear evidence before them and pronounced a guilty verdict. Atticus answers:



 “I don’t know, but they did it. They’ve done it before and they did it tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it—seems that only children weep..."



The morning after the trial, Atticus tries to comfort Jem by mentioning the possibility of an appeal. Later, Miss Maudie assures Jem that, although Atticus didn't win the case, he managed to keep the jury out longer than anyone had anticipated. Miss Maudie tells Jem that Atticus' small victory is a "baby-step" in the right direction for Maycomb.


So, Jem is initially hopeful about the trial, but he later changes his view about it after the verdict against Tom is announced. Like Atticus, Jem had hoped that justice would prevail. When Tom was pronounced guilty, however, Jem began to question the efficacy of Maycomb's court system. He became disillusioned and angry that prejudice had ruled the day.


Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...
Post a Comment
Read more

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Explain and discuss how the definitions of freedom change for the nation, for the freedmen and for southern whites after the Civil War.

After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to... After the Civil War, the definition of freedom changed in the nation, as slavery was ended with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The practice of slavery was disallowed, but definition of the freedom that would take its place was a subject of controversy, ongoing debate, and even violence in the decades to come.  For freedmen, freedom often meant reconciling with their families, who were broken up by slavery; choosing which church to belong to without being ordered to attend religious services (or not to attend) by their mast...
Post a Comment
Read more