What does Atticus mean when he says "I don't know, but they did it. They've done it before and they did it tonight and they'll do it again and when they do it—seems that only children weep"?

In Chapter 22 they have come home from the courthouse and as Atticus is about to walk out Jem asks how can people convict someone they know is innocent? Atticus then says, "I don't know but they did it. They've done it before and they did it tonight and they'll do it again and when they do it--seems that only children weep. Good night." (Lee, 216).

Atticus knew when he took the case that they would find Tom guilty based on his race alone. He knew that the citizens of Maycomb thought that people who were black would always be thought of as less than a white person no matter who was guilty or innocent. He hated that was how society was and tried to make a difference knowing what the outcome would be. What sticks out the most about that statement is that he knows people like children, with pure hearts know what is right more than adults do. And they weep for the wrong that they can clearly see has been done, and adults just go along knowing it is wrong but not caring enough to change the wrongs in society.
https://www.stockbridgevalley.org/cms/lib8/NY01913983/Centricity/Domain/195/Chapter%2022.pdf


In chapter 22, Atticus returns home from the courthouse with Jem and Scout and briefly speaks to Aunt Alexandra. Before Atticus goes to bed, Jem asks his father how the jury could blatantly convict an innocent man. Atticus responds by telling Jem,

"I don’t know, but they did it. They’ve done it before and they did it tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it—seems that only children weep. Good night." (Lee, 216)

Atticus's response illustrates his frustration with the racist community members and reveals that racial prejudice is a defining aspect of Maycomb's society. Going into the trial, Atticus understood that Tom Robinson had no chance of winning the case simply because he was black. Atticus also tells his son that when black people become victims of racial injustice, only children seem to weep. Atticus's observation reveals that the majority of the citizens have become so desensitized to racial injustice that they do not even react when an innocent black man is wrongly convicted. Overall, Atticus's bleak statement emphasizes the deep-rooted racial prejudice in Maycomb's community and illustrates his frustration with the biased court system.

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