In Harper Lee's To Kill a
Mockingbird, Jem follows the court trial closely. Having grown up in the home
of a lawyer, Jem and Scout understand the workings of the courtroom, and they have come
also to recognize how Atticus behaves and what his specific behaviors
signal.
The quote that I believe you refer to comes after
all the testimony has been given. Jem would know not to draw any conclusions until after
all the evidence was in, including the testimony of Heck Tate, Bob Ewell, and Mayella
Ewell. When this has been done, but before closing arguments, Dill feels unwell and
Scout goes outside with him so he can regain his
"equilibrium."
Upon their return, Scout demands an update
from Jem. When Scout punches Jem to get solid information, he
responds:
He's just gone over the evidence...and we're
gonna win, Scout. I don't see how we can't. He's been at it 'bout five minutes. He made
it as plain and easy as—well, as I'da explained it to you. You could've understood it,
even.
Jem's belief that Tom
will be acquitted stands in start contrast to what actually occurs. Tom is found guilty
and Scout describes how Jem reacts:
I shut my eyes. Judge Taylor was polling the
jury: 'Guilty...guilty...guilty...guilty...' I peeked at Jem: his hand were white from
gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each 'guilty' was a separate
stab between them.
This
signals a growing experience on Jem's part. He was, with a rational mind, sure of Tom's
innocence and his father's ability to free Tom. However, he had not counted on the
strength of bigotry on the part of most of the jurors, and not only
is he devastated, but he sees the world through eyes enlightened by the terrible
injustices adults visit upon each other.
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