Question

Scout says that shortly after the Tom Robinson verdict, Maycomb “became itself” again. What does it mean for Maycomb to “become itself” again? What role does forgetting play in the community’s response? Who wants to forget? Who cannot? When is forgetting helpful, and when is it destructive?

Answer 1

Answer:

Maycomb is, at the beginning of the book, described as quiet. A place where winter is almost nonexistent, and the people are almost as miserable as the summers, suffering from boredom and apathy. After Tom Robinson is found guilty, Maycomb largely settles down from the excitement of the trial, however, not everyone can turn a blind eye so quickly or so easily. Jem is immediately distressed, and although Atticus assures him they'll "...get it on acquittal..." he still cannot forget. The rest of the town, on the other hand, tries to forget, Mrs. Maudie briefly acknowledges the horribleness that Helen Robinson must be suffering through, but she changes the subject as quickly as she can. In the end, this turns out to be destructive. Occasionally, forgetting is helpful. If Mr. Bob Ewell had forgotten which lawyer had defender Mr. Tom Robinson, he wouldn't have attacked the Finches, and subsequently died, but in forgetting Tom, he grew restless, eventually making a break and dying in the process.