Question

In To Kill a Mockingbird, chapter 22 (page 289), Miss Maudie says, “...as I waited, I thought, Atticus Finch won’t win, he can’t win, but he’s the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that. And I thought to myself, well, we’re making a step–it’s just a baby-step, but it’s a step.” Why is the three-hour wait for the jury to find a verdict a “baby-step” for Maycomb? A baby-step toward what? Explain with evidence from the text.

Answer 1

In To Kill a Mockingbird, chapter 22 (page 289), Miss Maudie says, “...as I waited, I thought, Atticus Finch won’t win, he can’t win, but he’s the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that. And I thought to myself, well, we’re making a step–it’s just a baby-step, but it’s a step.” Why is the three-hour wait for the jury to find a verdict a “baby-step” for Maycomb? A baby-step toward what? Explain with evidence from the text.

It is a baby step toward Maycomb not always believing in the white person and considering that Tom is an innocent man.