To Kill a Mockingbird
by Harper LeeA Chronology of Events in the Novel
Chapter 1
Introduction of Scout as narrator: recounting a childhood story.
Jem's broken arm: connects beginning with ending.
Simon Finch and Finch's Landing. Intro. to Capurnia and Dill.
Description of Boo Radley legend.
Chapter 2
Scout's first day at school: September.
Miss Caroline and Scout argue about reading.
Miss Caroline humiliates Walter Cunningham: Scout explains.
Chapter 3
Walter comes to dinner: Scout is rude.
Miss Caroline meets Burris Ewell.
Atticus talks to Scout about reading and Miss C.
Chapter 4
Jem and Scout find presents in the tree stump from Boo.
Dill arrives for the Summer: children enact Radley story.
Chapter 5
Children talk to Miss Maudie.
Children try to put note through Radley's letter-box: Atticus stops it.
Chapter 6
Children look into Radley house: Jem's pants get caught.
Dill leaves: Jem goes back fro his pants in the night.
Chapter 7
Scout in 2nd Grade: truth about Jem's trousers, more presents from Boo, tree stump is cemented up by Mr Radley
Chapter 8
First snow. Fire at Miss Maudie's house.
Chapter 9
Scout tries to hit Cecil Jacobs for calling Atticus a "nigger lover".
Scout talks to Atticus about racism.
Christmas at Finch's Landing: Aunt Alexandra and Uncle Jack.
Atticus explains to Uncle Jack why he is taking the Tom Robinson case.
Chapter 10
Atticus as a father, and the mad dog incident.
Chapter 11
Jem is 12 years old. Mrs Henry Lafayette Dubose is described.
Jem cuts off her flower heads. Atticus makes him read to Mrs Dubose.
Mrs Dubose dies.
End of part one
Chapter 12
Scout explains how Jem is going through adolescence.
Jem and Scout go to Calpurnia's church: racial incident.
Calpurnia describes her own family and community.
Chapter 13
Aunt Alexandra comes to stay. Maycomb is described.
Atticus is instructed to glorify his family to the children.
Chapter 14
Atticus defines rape for Scout.
Aunt Alex wants to get rid of Calpurnia.
Jem and Scout argue. Dill is found under the bed.
Chapter 15
Sheriff Heck Tate comes to Atticus' door with Maycomb men.
Atticus guards Tom Robinson at the jail.
Confrontation with Maycomb men, children diffuse the situation.
Chapter 16
Atticus explains racial tension and the reasons for the confrontation over breakfast.
Build-up to the trial: children describe Mr Dolphus Raymond. Trial begins.
Chapter 17
Mr Heck Tate is the first witness.
Mr Robert Ewell is the rude witness.
Chapter 18
Miss Mayella Ewell is questioned as the plaintiff.
Chapter 19
Mr Tom Robinson is questioned as the accused.
Chapter 20
Recess: children talk to Mr Dolphus Raymond.
Atticus makes his summarising speech to the jury.
Chapter 21
Calpurnia approaches the Judge with info for Atticus regarding the children being in court. They plead with Atticus to stay to hear the verdict.
Verdict of "guilty" is given: black people stand as Atticus leaves the court.
Chapter 22
Jem cries. Food from the black community.
Miss Maudie talks to the children about Atticus' role.
Chapter 23
Ewell spits at Atticus in the streets.
Atticus and Jem have a discussion about the trial.
Atticus and Aunt Alexandra argue about the children: dub the Cunninghams.
Chapter 24
Aunt Alex and her missionary circle meet.
Tom Robinson's death is announced by Atticus who needs Calpurnia.
Chapter 25
Dill and Jem recount what happens when they go to Helen Robinson's.
Mr B.B. Underwood writes a poetic article about Tom's senseless death.
Chapter 26
Scout in the 3rd grade: reflection on Boo Radley no longer seeming frightening.
Miss Gates teaches Scout's class about Hitler. Contradiction as she is racist after trial.
Chapter 27
Ewell gets and loses a job: blames Atticus. Judge Taylor has a secret visitor.
Helen R is harassed by Ewell on the way to work
Chapter 28
Hallowe'en pageant organised by the missionary ladies: Scout in her costume.
Scout forgets her shoes. Jem and Scout are attacked on the way home
Chapter 29
Bob Ewell is dead at the scene of the attack
Chapter 30
Boo Radley is introduced to Scout as Jem's saviour
Heck Tate orders Atticus to accept that Ewell fell on his knife
Chapter 31
Scout stays with Boo, and then walks him home. She imagines their story from Boo's viewpoint
Scout and Jem sleep: Atticus watches over them.
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