[0:02]Summer has come, and you know what that means? Adventures with Dill. But Scout, who's nearly nine now, is crushed to learn that he isn't coming this year. Bummer. And Jem's no fun. His puberty blues have made him super grouchy.
[0:23]With Atticus out of town on business, Calpurnia is in charge. One Sunday, she takes Scout and Jem to her church, the First Purchase African Methodist Episcopal Church. What a mouthful! When they arrive, a lady named Lula tries to stop Calpurnia from bringing the children inside. Such a troublemaker, that Lula. But Calpurnia stands up to her, 'Go, Cal!' And Zeebo, Calpurnia's son, steps forward to welcome the children. At the end of the service, Reverend Sykes collects donations for Helen, Tom Robinson's wife. Remember, Atticus is defending Tom in a criminal case. He's been accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a girl from one of the poorest families in Maycomb. Hey team, just a reminder, if you like this video, please hit the subscribe button and ring the notification bell. It really helps the channel out, and our next upload could be on something taught in your next class. Thanks, and back to the video. The next issue is how to explain what rape is to curious young Scout. Calpurnia decides to leave that job to Atticus. Good luck with that one, Atticus. They return home from church to an unpleasant surprise, Aunt Alexandra has come to stay. Ugh, what a drag. Obviously, Aunt Alexandra has convinced Atticus that her presence was necessary. But if she thinks she's going to get Scout to wear a dress, sit in gossip circles and act all lady-like, she's got another thing coming. Aunt Alexandra knows everything about everyone, or so she thinks. She fits into Maycomb society like a glove, but Jem and Scout find her too high and mighty. She even convinces Atticus to speak to the children about Finch family values and why Jem and Scout should behave better. It was so out of character for Atticus to say these things that Scout actually starts to cry. Thankfully, Atticus took it all back. Atticus 1, Aunt Alexandra nil. It's just as well that Atticus kept Aunt Alexandra under control, because Jem and Scout already had enough to deal with. The trial of Tom Robinson was about to start, and things were tense around town. Atticus's role as Tom's defense attorney meant that his children were targeted by mean comments and sideways looks. Then, one night, Scout senses something dangerous hiding under her bed. Has someone planted a killer snake there? No, it's Dill Harris. He'd traveled by himself all the way from Meridian, Mississippi. Atticus calmly fetches his Aunt Rachel from next door. She blasts Dill with some very stern words, but eventually allows him to stay. Looks like this summer is going to be a blast after all. Or will it? A few days before the Tom Robinson trial, a group of men come to speak to Atticus. Tom Robinson will be transferred to Maycomb jail the next night. The men are worried that this will bring serious trouble into town, maybe even violence. Sure enough, trouble comes the following night. With Tom Robinson now in Maycomb jail, a group of angry men come for him. Goodness knows what they were planning to do to him, but Atticus was a step ahead. He was already guarding Tom's cell by the time they arrived. The problem was, Atticus was the only thing standing in the way of the drunken, deadly mob. As tensions start to rise, Scout jumps right into the middle of the group. Scout, what are you thinking? Then, Jem and Dill show up. What a nightmare for Atticus, he and the children are now in serious danger. When a man grabs Jem by the collar, Scout kicks him in the crown jewels, and he falls back in agony. Then, Scout recognizes Walter Cunningham Senior, one of Atticus's clients. Remember little Walter Cunningham Jr., who loves molasses? Well, his dad is part of the mob. Scout speaks politely to Mr. Cunningham, and, like magic, all the tension dissolves. By the way, Scout still has no idea how much danger they're all in. But she perseveres until Mr. Cunningham comes to his senses and calls off the mob. Scout's naive friendliness probably saved lives that night. But had she failed, Mr. Underwood, a friend of Atticus's, had them covered. He'd been sitting at his upstairs window with a shotgun aimed at the angry mob the whole time. It's good to keep friends in high places. It takes Scout a little while to grasp what really happened outside the jail. But Atticus makes sure neither she nor Jem bear any grudges about it. There's already enough drama going on. It's the first day of Tom Robinson's trial. It seems like the entire county has shown up for the trial. It's a bit morbid, don't you think? Watching a man on trial for his life. When the children head up to the town square, it's like a festival. Inside the courthouse, it's standing room only. Luckily, Reverend Sykes takes the children to the balcony, where they are given front row seats. From here, they can see everything, including Atticus, who sits with his back to them, ready to defend his client. By the time the children sit down, the first witness is called. Mr. Heck Tate, the county sheriff.
