How do Jem & Dill happen to accompany Atticus and Calpurnia to tell Helen about Tom’s death? Atticus goes to school and picks them up because he thinks they need this experience. Atticus finds them on the way home from swimming and they beg to go. Calpurnia invites them to come along in case there is trouble.

When Helen saw Atticus in her yard, she seemed to know what had happened even before he told her. According to Dill, she said hello to Atticus and then suddenly collapsed: “…she just fell down in the dirt… like a giant with a big foot just came along and stepped on her…

Atticus has to go to Helen Robinson’s house to deliver the bad news that Tom was shot and killed in a foiled and desperate escape attempt. He encounters Jem and Dill along the way and reluctantly takes them along. When Helen gets the news of her husband’s death, she crumples, according to Dill, “…

Why were Jem and Dill far from home at the beginning of Chapter 25? They witness Helen Robinson sudden fall.

Answer: In the book, Calpurnia goes to the Robinson home to inform them of Tom’s death at the prison. Jem and Dill are with them because Jem was teaching Dill to swim and were reluctantly picked up by Atticus on the way over to the Robinson home.

How does most of the town react to Tom’s death? They acted like it was no big deal and they forgot about him after a while.

As Atticus leans, clearly with emotional exhaustion, against the refrigerator, and rubs his eyes by pushing up his glasses with his fingers, Atticus appears very distraught and frustrated–even despairing–as he says with cynical finality, “I guess Tom was tired of white men’s chances and preferred to take his own.”

Aunt Alexandra is sympathetic about Tom’s death and treats Scout with compassion. Aunt Alexandra has clearly been affected by her time at the Finches’ house. She seems to be softening somewhat. For example, the day of the party she lets Calpurnia serve.

When Atticus and Calpurnia leave to break the bad news of Tom Robinson’s death to Tom’s wife Helen, Aunt Alexandra is left alone with Miss Maudie and the bewildered Scout. But in this scene, not only is she shocked by Tom’s death, she also expresses genuine concern for Atticus, her brother.

Mr. Raymond,who is looked down upon because he has fathered children of mixed race, tells Dill and Scout that he is not really a drunk as the townspeople believe.

What does Atticus argue are some of the reasons that Tom should not be convicted? Atticus says the state has not produced any medical evidence that the crime that Tom was charged with ever took place. How does Atticus end his summation? Atticus ends his summation with the words, “In the name of God, believe him.”

Atticus respects Tom Robinson and his wife and family. He personally brings Helen the sad news that Tom has been shot trying to escape. The guards at the prison shot Tom 17 times, because he was allegedly trying to climb the surrounding fence. Atticus describes Tom’s death by saying it was like killing a mockingbird.

Atticus said that Tom Robinson attempted to escape because he wanted to take matters into his own hands, and was tired of white men deciding his fate for him. Tom Robinson’s escape is one of the saddest parts of the book. We are rooting for Tom throughout, and saddened when he is convicted.

Why do people in the balcony gallery stand when Atticus leaves the courtroom? They stand out of respect for what Atticus has done for Tom and for their community. They see that Atticus had achieved the impossible even though ignorance and bigotry won out.

Both Atticus and Tom feel sorry for Mayella, but they also understand the reality of the position, which is that Mayella is the only one who can tell the truth and save Tom.

What makes Mayella think Atticus is “mocking” her? Because when he calls her “ma’am” and “Miss Mayella.” Mayella tells Judge Taylor that Atticus is mocking her when he has actually addressed her in terms of politeness. She is not used to being treated with respect or dignity and doesn’t like it.