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Scout (Jean Louise Finch) introduces the reader to the city of Maycomb
The reader gets introduced to the protagonists family. She lives with her older brother called Jem. Her father Atticus, who is a lawyer (important part later in the book) and the family's housekeeper called Calpurnia. She also talks about the other families that live in Maycomb, like the Cunninghams and the Ewells. -
Scout, Jem and Dill become fascinated by Boo Radley
Boo Radley is a scary neighbour who refuses to get out of his house. Scout, Jem and Dill always come by and try to spot him, however, they never saw one glimpse of Boo Radley. When Boo notices the kids, he starts leaving them gifts in the knot of a three. -
''It's a sin to kill a mockingbird''
Atticus tells the kids that it's a sin to kill a mockingbird. Plays an important part later in the book. -
Scout and Jem become friends with Dill
Dill Harris is a boy who visits Maycomb every summer. -
Tom Robinson
A black man called Tom Robinson is wrongly accused of raping a white woman (Maella Ewell). Since Atticus is a lawyer, he is assigned to defend Tom Robinson in court. -
Maycomb switches sides
When the residents of Maycomb find out Atticus is defending a black man in court, the entire town starts to turn their backs on him and his children. Scout and Jem get bullied by their classmates. -
Tom Robinson lynch
An angry group of white citizens decide to try to murder Tom Robinson before his trial. However, Atticus defends him and there is a lugubrious atmosphere until Scout and Jem show up. Scout regonizes one of the men and she starts talking to him about his son. This makes the men leave. -
Tom Robinson's trial
- Atticus accuses the white woman's (Maella Ewell) father (Bob Ewell) of beating up his daughter and blaming Tom Robinson
- It becomes clear that Maella Ewell had sexual interest in Tom Robinson but they did not share the same feelings.
- It is obvious that Tom is falsly accused, however, the all-white and racist jury still convicts Tom
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Tom escapes prison and is shot dead
''It's a sin to kill a mockingbird'' !! -
Bob tries to murder scout and Jem
Since Bob Ewell's reputation is destroyed, he wants to take revenge on Atticus. On Halloween, he spots Jem and Scout walking the streets alone. It's very dark outside but Bob can see Scout because of her ham costume. He attacks them and breaks Jem's arm. A mysterious figure safes them and stabs Bob Ewell. -
The mysterious figure turns out to be Boo Radley
Scout finally meets Boo Radley, thanks him for safing her and Jem and walks him home. The town sheriff concludes that Bob Ewell fell on his own knife to protect Boo.