To Kill A Mockingbird: Chapter Summary

At the beginning of Chapter 22, Jem comes home saddened by the result of the case. Jem kept on repeating “It ain’t right” (284). In the next morning, Atticus attempts to comfort Jem about the case by mentioning that an appeal is possible. As Atticus comes into the kitchen, he is astonished to see a grand breakfast including meats and vegetables, which are provided by people who are grateful for his help during the case. When the children go into the porch area after breakfast, Miss Stephanie, being the typical gossiper that she is, interrogates Jem and Scout about their adventure in the colored balcony at the court but is stopped by Miss Maudi. To calm Jem down about the case, Miss Maudi explains that Atticus does the tough job for others,

Unfortunately, it is dark, so Scout wishes Jem brought a flashlight. Cecil Jacobs scares Scout and Jem on their way to the Halloween pageant. Once Scout enters the auditorium, she realizes she left her money, but Jem says Atticus remembered the money. After playing at a couple of booths, it is time for the pageant, and Scout is sad to see that her costume has been smashed when she goes backstage. Luckily, Mrs. Merriweather fixes the wire. Scout misses her cue, which is, “Po-ork”, which is said by Mrs. Merriweather, so Mrs. Merriweather is sad and says Scout messed up her pageant (346). After the pageant, Scout and Jem walk home. While they’re walking, Scout realizes she left her shoes at the pageant, but they decide to get it another day. Suddenly, Jem hears a noise but decides it is just Cecil Jacobs. All of a sudden, Jem and Scout realize someone is chasing them. Scout’s chicken wire is getting crushed throughout all of the commotion. While Jem is being carried in the house, Scout comes into the house, and Alexandra calls Dr. Reynolds and Heck. After Scout repeatedly asks Dr. Reynolds if Jem is alive, she learns that he just has a bump and a broken arm. Mr. Tate announces that he found Mr. Ewell dead with a knife stuck into