Interestingly, it appears that Harper Lee intends for the
reader to make this observation of the similarities and differences between the two
groups of men. For, the men of one group appear in the front yard of the Finch home
after supper in Chapter 15 as a preface to the others' appearing at the jail in Chapter
16 of To Kill a Mockingbird.
Among the
men who call Atticus outside from his house in Chapter 15 are Sherriff Heck Tate and Mr.
Link Deas, who owns the newspaper. They are concerned about Tom Robinson's being put up
in the jail the next day, and want a change of venue for the trial. But, Atticus thinks
that they are overly concerned, "Don't be foolish, Heck....This is
Maycomb." Nevertheless, Mr. Deas says that he is worried about "that Old Sarum bunch"
who "get liquored up." Atticus argues that they do not usually drink on Sundays, and he
holds to his conviction that Tom deserves a fair trial. There is a murmur of discontent
and the men move closer to Atticus. However, when the phone rings, Jem shouts to his
father and Atticus tells him to answer it, laughter breaks up the crowd composed of
people that the Finches observe every day: merchants, in-town farmers, Dr. Reynolds,
and even Mr. Avery.
On the following evening at the jail,
though, it is a much different crowd that Scout and Jem, who follow Atticus out of
concern for him, observe. These men have their collars pulled up and hats dragged down
over their ears so they will be indistinguishable from one another. Scout remarks
that there is "a smell of stale whiskey and pigpen" in the air, and when she looks
around, she realizes the men are strangers to her:
They were sullen, sleepy-eyed men who seemed
unused to late hours.
When
Scout finally recognizes Mr. Cunningham, he looks away as she speaks. This crowd of men
do not wish to be individualized as were Mr. Tate and Mr. Deas. Forming a semi-circle
around Atticus, they become a mob, possibly equipped with weapons since they have on
more clothes than necessary for the weather. But, again the children mitigate the
tension as this time Scout speaks to Mr. Cunningham. As he is singled out, Mr.
Cunningham becomes uncomfortable and no longer wishes to threaten Atticus Finch, who has
always treated him fairly. So, he motions to the others to go, and they follow his
lead. This action also is in contrast to the other men at the Finch home, who each
laugh and disperse of his own will.
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