Scout notices that many people treat the trial of Tom Robinson like a party, or gala, especially those who may not be close with Tom Robinson and thus see it as more of a form of entertainment. On page 160, Scout observes:
It was a gala occasion. There was no room at the public hitching rail for another animal, mules and wagons were parked under every available tree. The courthouse square was covered with picnic parties sitting on newspapers, washing down biscuits and syrup with warm milk from fruit jars. Some people were gnawing on cold chicken and cold fried pork chops. The more affluent chased their food with drugstore Coca-cola in bulb-shaped soda glasses. Greasy-faced children popped-the-whip through the crowd, and babies lunched at their mothers’ breasts.
Instead of the somber attitude that one might expect from people during a trial, the atmosphere that she describes outside of the courthouse is quite party-like. People are gathered eating food that they have brought, much like they would do at a social gathering. This seems a bit out of place, as a man is on trial for his life. It seems that people fail to acknowledge this, at least at the moment. Children, especially, seem completely oblivious to the fact that a trial is taking place and behave as if they are at a picnic of some kind and are almost having fun as they “pop-the-whip through the crowd.” Harper Lee is criticizing the people of Maycomb and their indifference toward Tom Robinson and his fate.
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