Jean Louise "Scout" Finch Character Journal from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

Dill, Jem and I snuck out of the house to follow Atticus to the town center. Eventually, we saw Atticus sitting in front of the jail. Jem said we should go home, but just as he said that four cars drove up by Atticus and a bunch of men stepped out. They told him to step away from the jail. Just then, I ran toward Atticus, Jem and Dill came out after me. I heard one of the men tell Atticus he had fifteen seconds to get the kids out of here. Then I looked up and noticed Mr. Walter Cunningham in the crowd. I told Mr. Cunningham to say hello to his son for me. He approached me and agreed to let him know. Mr. Cunningham told everyone to leave and Atticus took us back home.

The trial started today and everyone came to watch it, except for Miss Maudie. She said watching someone on trial was like attending a Roman carnival. Jem, Dill and I waited for everyone to enter the courtroom before we snuck in. Because we were late, we were forced to sit in the balcony by Revered Sykes.

Mr. Gilmer called Mr. Heck Tate to the stand. Mr. Tate gave his story about what happened on the night of November 21. When Atticus questioned Mr. Tate, he found out that that Mayellas bruises were concentrated mostly on the right side of her face. Mr. Tate leaves the stand and Bob Ewell is called. When Atticus gets to cross-examine Mr. Ewell, he makes him sign his name on a piece of paper. Atticus points out that he is left-handed and that a left-handed person is more likely to leave bruises on the right side of a persons face.

The next person to be called to the stand is Mayella. Mayella gives her account and lets slip that she has seven unhelpful siblings, a drunken father and no friends. When Atticus examines her, he asks her why she didnt put up more of a fight and how Tom Robinson was able to hit her on the right side of her face with an arm that crippled by getting caught in a cotton gin when he was a boy. Mayella refuses to admit that her father was the one who beat her and leaves the stand. The next person on the stand was Tom Robinson.

Tom gives his account of what happened that night. Mr. Link Deas gets up and yells that he has never had any trouble from Tom Robinson and is expelled from the courtroom. When Mr. Gilmer gets to cross-examine Tom he asks him why he always helps Mayella with all her chores. Tom mistakenly answers that he felt sorry for Mayella. Dill started to cry. I led him out of the courtroom and he told me he was crying because he couldnt understand how Mr. Gilmer could be so rude to Tom. Dill and I go for a walk and run into Mr. Dolphus Raymond.

Mr. Dolphus Raymond was acting a little weird and drinking something out of a paper bag. He offers some to Dill and Dill assured me that it was just Coca-Cola. I realized then that we were missing the trial and rush both of us back to the courtroom. When we got there, Atticus was making his closing remarks. When he was finished, Calpurnia rushed into the room.

Calpurnia gave Atticus a note saying that the kids have been missing since noon. Mr. Underwood gives away our position to Atticus. Atticus tells us to go home and eat supper then we can come back and hear the verdict. When we came back after supper, the jury was still out and the courtroom was still full. At about 11:00 at night the jury finally returns and reveals that Tom Robinson is guilty.

The next day, I awoke to find an avalanche of food in the kitchen. I looked outside and Miss Stephanie Crawford started to ask Jem and me about the trial. Miss Maudie rescued us by inviting us in for some cake. After we were done with Miss Maudies cake, we went home and Miss Stephanie Crawford tells us that Bob Ewell found Atticus, spat in his face and swore to kill him.

Miss Stephanie Crawfords story started to worry everyone, except Atticus. Atticus explained to Jem and me that he made Bob Ewell look like a fool and that is why he wanted revenge. He also said that he expects no more trouble from Bob Ewell because he thinks he got it all out of his system when he spat on him. At the same time, Tom Robinson is being sent away to another prison. Atticus told me that if Tom is not pardoned, he will get the electric chair. Atticus also told me that there was one person on the jury that wanted Tom to be acquitted. That person was one of the Cunninghams. Just then, I asked Atticus if I could invite Walter Cunningham for dinner. Aunt Alexandra overheard this and said that we dont associate with white trash. I was angry at her for saying such things, but Jem took me into his room and showed me his chest hair. He told me he was going to go out for the football team. I asked him why he thought Boo never came out of his house. Jem said he it was because he didnt want to leave it.

Aunt Alexandra is having a tea party today and I have to wear a dress. I was going to help bring in the tea. In the middle of the party, Atticus walks in and tells us that Tom Robinson tried to escape and was shot seventeen times.

I was sitting on the back porch and was about to smash a roly-poly bug until Jem stopped me. I put the bug in the yard and asked him why he stopped me from smashing it. His response was simply that the bug never did anything to me. Atticus went over to Helen Robinsons house to tell her about Toms death. Helen fainted even before Atticus could get a word out.

I started the third grade today. Miss Gates taught us about Hitler persecuting the Jews. After school, I asked Jem how Miss Gates can preach about equality when she is prejudice against blacks. Jem got angry at my question and told me to never tell him about the trial ever again.

Miss Gates is putting on an agricultural pageant. She is making every student dress up as a food. I got to dress up as a ham. My suit was made wire mesh. Atticus and Aunt Alexandra were too tired to come to the play, so Jem walked me to the school.

On the way to school, Cecil Jacobs jumped out and scared Jem and I. The play was about to start and all the students were backstage. I wasnt needed until the end of the play so I had to sit backstage for almost the whole play. I accidentally fell asleep and missed my entrance. When I woke up when everyone was singing the last song, so I decided to walk out now rather than not at all. After the play was over, Miss Gates yelled at me and told me I ruined her play. I felt ashamed and Jem said he would wait with me to leave once everyone had left. On the way home, Jem and I started to hear noises behind us. I thought it was Cecil Jacobs trying to scare us again. I yelled at him but got no reply. When we could see the street, the person following us started running at us. Jem told me to run but my suit caused me to fall. Something ripped my suit open and hear Jem struggling. Jem seemed to get free and drug me almost the rest of the way to the street until the follower pulled Jem back. I heard a crunching noise and Jem scream. I ran toward him then someone picked me up. Then the follower let me go and the struggling quit. I started looking around for Jem but only found an old man sitting against a tree. I stared heading home and saw someone carrying Jem toward home. When I got home, Atticus was calling Mr. Tate and Aunt Alexandra took off my suit and told me that Jem was unconscious. Dr. Reynolds arrives and inspects Jem. He says Jem just has a broken arm and will be fine. Mr. Tate then informs us that he found Bob Ewell was found dead with a knife stuck in his ribs.

Mr. Tate wanted me to tell my story. I told him and he showed me my costume that had a huge knife slash in it and said it probably saved my life. When I got to the part about a man carrying Jem home I finally, realized that that man was Boo Radley.

I sat with Boo on the porch while listening to Atticus and Mr. Tate argue whether Ewells death was an accident or not. When the two were done arguing, I took Boo upstairs to say goodnight to Jem. Then I walked with Boo to his house. I went back home and found Atticus in Jems room. Atticus read one of Jems books to me until I fell asleep.