Chapters 12-15 Analysis

Structure and Plot Development

Rising Action

• Aunt Alexandra arrives, disrupting the children's routine. They are confused about why she has come to stay, as they are happy living with Atticus and Calpurnia.
• Jem and Scout visit Calpurnia's church, where they experience a different way of worship and face 'racism in reverse' from some members.
• Tensions rise in Maycomb as Tom Robinson's trial approaches.
• Scout diffuses a dangerous situation when a mob threatens Atticus outside the jail.

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Themes

Racism

• Jem and Scout face 'racism in reverse' at the black church (Chapter 12).
• Tom Robinson is threatened by a mob of white men outside the jail (Chapter 15).

Courage and Bravery

• Atticus, Scout, and Jem stand against a mob to protect Tom Robinson (Chapter 15).

Empathy

• Scout appeals to Mr Cunningham's humanity, reminding him of his son and legal troubles to prevent violence (Chapter 15).

Love and Care

• Atticus shows his love for Jem by running his hand through his hair, appreciating his concern (Chapter 15).

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Tone

• The tone in these chapters is anxious and tense.
• Jem and Scout do not understand why Aunt Alexandra has come.
• Scout is confused about Jem's changes.
• Atticus is worried about Tom Robinson's safety.

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Chapter Summaries

Chapter 12: Jem and Scout Visit Calpurnia's Church

• Atticus is away, so Calpurnia takes Jem and Scout to her black church.
• They experience a different style of worship and 'racism in reverse' from Lula, who dislikes white children attending.
• Other church members welcome them. Scout asks Calpurnia if she can visit her at home, but this never happens.
• They return home to find Aunt Alexandra has arrived.

Chapter 13: Aunt Alexandra Takes Control

• Aunt Alexandra decides to stay permanently.
• She expects Scout to behave like a lady and conform to social expectations.
• Scout is unhappy with these changes.

Chapter 14: Family Conflict and Dill's Return

• Aunt Alexandra disapproves of Calpurnia's influence and wants her sent away, but Atticus refuses.
• Tensions increase as the town criticises Atticus for defending Tom Robinson.
• Dill runs away from home and arrives in Maycomb, sharing stories about his parents' lack of interest in him.

Chapter 15: The Mob at the Jail

• Atticus leaves after dinner, which is unusual. Jem, Scout, and Dill follow him.
• They find him guarding Tom Robinson outside the jail.
• A mob of white men arrives, threatening Tom.
• Scout unknowingly de-escalates the situation by talking to Mr Cunningham about his son and legal troubles.
• The mob disperses, and Atticus shows affection towards Jem for his courage.

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Chapter 12: Key Vocabulary

• Alien (adj.) – unnatural; very strange
• Appalling (adj.) – shocking; horrifying
• Asafoetida (noun) – a strong-smelling herbal substance used in folk medicine
• Austere (adj.) – stern and severe
• Boded (verb, past tense) – continued
• Church (verb) – to temporarily ban someone from attending church due to misconduct
• Clad (verb, present tense) – dressed in
• Contemptuously (adv.) – behaving as if someone is beneath one's dignity
• Contentious (adj.) – always ready to argue
• Denunciation (noun) – public condemnation or disapproval of something
• Diligently (adv.) – working industriously and hard
• Dispelled (verb) – driven away
• Ecclesiastical impedimenta (adj. + noun) – items used during a church service
• Frivolous (adj.) – silly; not serious
• Garish (adj.) – showy, very bright or gaudy
• Habiliments (noun) – outfits; clothing
• Inconsistent (adj.) – not in agreement
• Indignantly (adv.) – angrily, especially when treated unfairly
• Lilac talcum (adj. + noun) – a scented talcum powder
• Rotogravure print (noun) – a printing process used in newspapers
• Snuff (noun) – powdered tobacco inhaled through the nose
• Tapeworm (noun) – a parasite found in intestines
• To scrape a few barnacles off the ship of state – an expression meaning to clean up the government
• Unceiled (adj.) – without ceiling boards inside the roof
• Voile (noun) – thin, cotton-like fabric

Other Useful Information (Chapter 12)

• Blackstone's Commentaries – an important book on British law
• Bootleggers – people who make or sell illegal liquor
• Bread lines – queues for free meals during the Great Depression
• Brown's Mule – a brand of chewing tobacco
• Castile – a type of soap made in Spain
• Garden of Gethsemane – where Jesus prayed before his crucifixion
• Hoyt's Cologne – a strong cologne from early 20th century Germany
• Hunt's The Light of the World – a famous painting of Jesus Christ
• Octagon soap – a harsh, strong soap
• Shadrach – a biblical figure who survived a fiery furnace
• Sit-down strikes – workers protesting by refusing to leave their jobs

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Chapter 13: Key Vocabulary

• Caste system (adj. + noun) – class distinctions based on birth or wealth
• Curtness (noun) – being brief and rude
• Devoid (adj.) – completely without
• Flighty (adj.) – foolish; irresponsible
• Formidable (adj.) – impressive in a frightening way
• Incestuous (adj.) – sexual relations between close relatives
• Irritable (adj.) – easily annoyed
• Mandrake roots (noun) – plant roots thought to have magical properties
• Myopic (adj.) – short-sighted; unable to see clearly
• Obliquely (adv.) – indirectly
• Prerogative (noun) – an exclusive right or privilege
• Shinny (noun) – slang for liquor, usually whiskey or bourbon
• Sluggish (adj.) – lacking energy; lazy
• Soberly (adv.) – seriously
• Spun (verb, past tense) – telling a story in a fanciful way
• Tactful (adj.) – being considerate and avoiding offence
• Tight (adj.) – slang for being drunk

Other Useful Information (Chapter 13)

• Lydia E. Pinkham – a 19th-century medicine manufacturer
• Reconstruction – post-Civil War period (1867-1877) when Southern states were reorganised
• Rice Christians – converts to Christianity in developing countries
• War Between the States – another term for the American Civil War

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Chapter 14: Key Vocabulary

• Antagonize (verb, present tense) – to make someone hostile
• Bushel (noun) – a unit of measurement for crops
• Edification (noun) – education focusing on morals and values
• Erosion (noun) – gradual wearing away, often of soil
• Infallible (adj.) – never wrong
• Manacles (noun) – handcuffs
• Neat (adj.) – in this context, undiluted (e.g., neat whisky)
• Penitentiary (noun) – prison
• Pensive (adj.) – thoughtful
• Pondered (verb, past tense) – thought about something
• Taut (adj.) – tightly stretched

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Chapter 15: Key Vocabulary

• Acquiescence (noun) – agreement without protest
• Affliction (noun) – a condition causing suffering
• Aggregation (noun) – a group or gathering
• Begrudge (verb, present tense) – to resent someone for having something
• Ecclesiastical (adj.) – related to the church
• Façade (noun) – the front of a building
• Futility (noun) – uselessness; hopelessness
• Impassive (adj.) – showing no emotion
• Linotype (noun) – an old typesetting machine for newspapers
• Ominous (adj.) – threatening; sinister
• Shinnied up (adj.) – slang for being drunk
• Stifle (verb, present tense) – to hold back; suppress
• Succinct (adj.) – clear and brief
• Uncouth (adj.) – crude or rude
• Venerable (adj.) – impressive due to age or history
• Venue (noun) – a place for an event

Other Useful Information (Chapter 15)

• Battlement – a low wall on a castle or fort
• Flying buttresses – architectural supports connected by an arch
• Gothic – a medieval architectural style
• Jitney Jungle – a 1930s American supermarket chain
• Snipe hunt – a practical joke where someone is sent on an impossible task