As the verdict is announced in Chapter 21 of To
Kill a Mockingbird, the reactions of Atticus Finch are devoid of emotion;
rather, they are perfunctory. He snaps his briefcase shut after pushing papers into
it, goes to the court recorder and says something, nods to Mr. Gilmer the prosecuting
attorney, and then goes to Tom Robinson. Placing his hand on Tom's shoulder, he says
something to Tom, too. Atticus does not even put on his coat; instead, he throws it
over one shoulder and takes the quickest way out of the courtroom without looking up at
his children.
Atticus Finch goes through the motions of
preparing for an appeal. He asks for a copy of the transcript of the proceedings, tells
Tom that they will appeal the verdict, and nods to the prosecutor. After these
necessary actions, Atticus wants to make a quick getaway from the "disease of Macomb
County." He is disgusted with the verdict; he is ashamed of the men who say that Tom is
guilty of sexually assaulting Mayella when they know that he has not. This disgust and
shame are what make him take the quickest route out of the building and what keeps him
from looking at his children, who he knows are amazed at the men on the
jury.
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