TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD Chapter 21
Chapter 21
The jury has left the courtroom to talk about the case. The people wait a very long time. It is late at night, but no one goes home. The children, still sitting in the balcony, are hungry and tired, but they wait quietly. Atticus is sitting at the table. He is reading something while he waits. After several hours, the jury comes back into the courtroom. Everyone stands up quickly. All eyes look at the twelve men of the jury who have been talking.
The children look for a sign from the jury, a way to know the answer before the men speak. They know that sometimes, if the accused person is not guilty, the jury members do not look at him when they walk in. The children watch closely as the twelve men walk to their seats. They all avoid looking at Tom Robinson. They only look straight ahead. This makes the children feel hopeful.
The judge asks the leader of the jury, the jury foreman, if they have a decision. The foreman, a heavy man, stands up. He gives a piece of paper to the court clerk. The clerk takes the paper and reads the decision. The clerk asks the jury: “Do you find the defendant, Tom Robinson, guilty or not guilty?” The foreman answers with just one word. He speaks it softly. “Guilty.”
The word drops like a heavy weight in the courtroom. Tom Robinson is found guilty. The children and the people in the room are very shocked. The air in the room feels thick and cold. Atticus Finch stands up. He looks tired but stays calm. The courtroom is now quiet. The white people start to leave, talking softly.
The black community sits in the balcony for a moment, not moving. The children do not move, either. They feel sick because of the decision. Then, Atticus collects his papers and turns to leave. As he walks down the main corridor to leave the courtroom, the people in the balcony begin to move.
Reverend Sykes whispers to the children, “Mr. Jem, Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father is passing.” The entire black community in the balcony stands up as Atticus walks by below them. They stand to show him respect and thanks for trying to help Tom Robinson.
Atticus leaves the building. The long trial is over, and the decision is final in Maycomb County.
