Chapters 26 & 27 TKAM

Chapters 26 and 27 of “To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee, describe what the town is like after the whole Tom Robinson case. Since Tom Robinson’s death it seems that there had been no change in the people of the town, which is confusing, because the entire town watched the court proceedings so closely. Why does the town not seem to care or have any philosophical changed as a result of Tom’s death?  The only person who does seem to care is Mr. Link.  In chapter 27, Mr. Link employs Mrs. Robinson as a cook, even though she wasn’t required, so she would have a job and be able to feed her family. Not only did Mr. Link employ her, he protected her too.  When he said “First thing you can do, Ewell, is get your stinkin’ carcass off my property. You’re leanin’ on it an’ I can’t afford fresh paint for it.  Second thing you can do is stay away from my cook or ill have you up for assault.” (249). This shows that since the town will no longer care for the Robinsons, Mr. Link will. Also this shows that Mr. Link can be connected to a Mockingbird, that he only does good.

This book is starting to come together for me and starting to making more sense.  Jem has started to feel much more empathy, while Scout has not. For example, at the end of chapter 26, Lee writes, “Jem understood school things better.”(247). This, and other events and quotes prove that Jem has begun to grow up and is starting to resemble Atticus.