Part 1, Chapter 20 Summary

On the Saturday following the trial, Willie found seven letters slipped under his office door. They were all letters to the editor about the trial. All were outraged that Danny did not receive the death penalty. Six of them blamed Callie's presence on the jury . Willie decided not to print any of the letters that would harm Calia. He went to visit the Ruffins and talked to Callie briefly. She said the verdict was not what she wanted. That's all she would say for many years. During the following days, the town stewed over the verdict. Willie received eighteen letters to the editor, only six of which he printed.

Part 1, Chapter 20 Analysis

As much as Willie thought he had encouraged racial tolerance in his community, he finds out differently when people blame Callie for the verdict. He decides not to print...