♬Plot Summery♪

The reader is introduced to the narrator, Scout Finch, who describes her

family history and her town, Maycomb. She and her brother, Jem, are also

introduced to Dill, and the children share stories and fantasies about the

mystery man (Boo Radley) who lives near by. The reader learns that Scout has

problems at school early on, but she learns a lesson in manners when Walter

Cunningham comes to lunch and a lesson in compromise from her father, Atticus.

As time goes by, Scout and Jem find some mysterious presents in the knothole

of an old tree on the Radley place, leading to fascination with the mysterious

Boo Radley.

Jem, Dill, and Scout venture out one night to try to see into Boo Radley's

back window - an adventure that leads to frightening results, especially for

Jem.

As the summer comes to a close, Scout and Jem find more presents in the Radley

tree. Their treasures include small sculptures and a watch. Unfortunately,

their bounty is suddenly cut off by Mr. Radley, who seals up the hole in the

tree.

Winter comes quickly, bringing a rare snowstorm to Maycomb. Miss Maudie's

house is ruined in a fire, and Scout has a rare encounter with Boo Radley

without even knowing it.

Scout gets into a number of fisticuffs with both a classmate and her cousin

when the two boys taunt her about her father, whom they insult by calling him

a "nigger lover." Atticus explains to Scout that he will be defending a black

man named Tom Robinson on the charge of rape.

When the danger of a rabid dog threatens the town, Scout discovers that her

father, whom she previously thought too old to do anything, does possess some

talents. Atticus turns out be a crack shot, killing the dog in one shot at a

great distance.

Jem and Scout learn more about their neighbor Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose.

Atticus eventually has Jem read to her, as she is a sick woman, and needs

something to take her mind off of her predicament.

Atticus leaves town, and Calpurnia, the Finch's black maid, takes Jem and

Scout to her church. They also learn more information about Tom Robinson, the

man who Atticus intends to defend.

As Tom Robinson's trial approaches, Atticus worries about the safety of his

client. This fear that proves to be justified. A group of townspeople,

including Walter Cunningham, appear at the courthouse one night, with the

intention of lynching Tom Robinson. The only person who stands in their way

is Atticus. At first, the mob intends to plow right through him, but with the

unexpected arrival of Scout, they realize the error of their actions.

When Tom Robinson's trial finally begins, evidence begins to show that

Robinson is obviously innocent. Heck Tate and Mr. Ewell take the stand in Tom

Robinson's trial, giving further evidence to prove Robinson's innocence.

Atticus points out that a left-handed man must have beaten Mayella Ewell. He

goes on to show that while Mr. Ewell is left-handed, Tom Robinson's left arm

is crippled due to a farming accident. When Mayella Ewell takes the stand, it

becomes obvious that her story has many holes in it. However, she starts

crying hysterically before Atticus may point many of them out.

When Tom Robinson takes the stand, the obviously true story comes out. It

becomes evident that Mayella Ewell was a very lonely person who's only crime

was to kiss a black man. Her father, Bob Ewell, beat and raped her for this

crime. Mr. Ewell also forced her to say that Tom Robinson did it, so that he

wouldn't get in trouble.

As they take a break from the trial, Scout and Dill get to know Dolphus

Raymond better. He is thought to be a town drunk, looked badly upon for being

a white man that married a black woman. As it turns out, he isn't drunk after

all. He merely uses it as a cover-up, so that he doesn't have to answer

questions about his life. Afterwards, Scout and Jem listen to Atticus's

closing statements in the trial.

After the verdict is announced in Tom Robinson's case, guilty,

the children, as well as other members of the community, discuss and react to

the verdict. Atticus and the children discuss the trial, Scout and Aunt

Alexandra discuss Walter Cunningham, and Jem and Scout discuss class

distinctions.

As Scout suffers through one of her Aunt's missionary circle affairs, Atticus

returns home with the news that Tom Robinson has been killed. He brings the

news to Tom's family, who reacts as can be expected. Tom was killed while

trying to escape, but he knew he never had a chance, with his crippled arm.

After a classroom discussion of Adolf Hitler and his treatment of the Jews,

Scout is struck by the hypocrisy of many of Maycomb's residents. While

condemning Hitler for being prejudiced and genocidal, the same people act

racist and genocidal themselves.

It would appear that Bob Ewell has not forgotten his grudge against some of

Maycomb's citizens, including Judge Taylor and Helen Robinson. In the

meantime, Scout prepares for a Halloween night presentation at her school.

She plans to wear a bulky pig costume, one the severely limits her vision.

While returning home from the school pageant, Jem and Scout are attacked.

Jem's arm is broken, and a stranger carries him home. Scout cannot see what

is happening due the darkness and her constrictive costume. Afterwards, a

search of the area by the local officials turns up Bob Ewell's dead body.

As Heck Tate and Atticus listen, Scout tells them what happened to her and

Jem, ending by pointing to the man who had carried Jem home, who she realizes

is Boo Radley. Atticus assumes that it was Jem who stabbed Bob Ewell, but the

sheriff tells Atticus that he intends to report that Ewell fell on his own

knife. Atticus is sure that the sheriff is trying to protect Jem, until it finally

dawns on him that it was actually Boo Radley who killed Ewell. Scout walks

Boo Radley home, and then returns to her house to see Atticus sitting by her

unconscious brother, as the novel ends.

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