In chapter nine, Scout asks her father about his client, and Atticus explains that he is defending a black man named Tom Robinson, a member of Calpurnia's church and is a close friend of her family. According to Calpurnia, Tom Robinson is a clean-living man with a positive reputation throughout the black community in Macomb. Tragically, Tom Robinson becomes a victim of racial injustice after he is wrongfully convicted of assaulting Mayella Ewell. After the trial, Tom is sent to Enfield Prison Farm, where he attempts to escape. While he is climbing the fence to escape, he is shot and killed.
In chapter 24, Atticus interrupts his sister's missionary circle to break the terrible news and requests that Calpurnia ride with him to Tom's home to inform Helen about her husband's death. Since Calpurnia is a close friend of the Robinson family, she travels with Atticus to Tom's home to break the news to Helen.
Calpurnia and Tom Robinson belong to the same church, the First Purchase African M.E. Church in Maycomb. In the story, Atticus tells Scout that Cal knows Tom's family quite well. So, Tom and Calpurnia are fellow parishioners and members of Maycomb's close-knit African American community.
In chapter 12, Calpurnia contributes money to the collection plate. The minister tells the congregation that the church will collect money to benefit Tom's wife and children for four consecutive weekends. Because Tom is in prison, Helen must depend upon her fellow parishioners for financial assistance. Reverend Sykes also tells the congregation that Helen cannot leave her children to go to work (while Tom is in jail).
Later, Calpurnia accompanies Atticus to break the news of Tom's death to Helen. When Helen collapses from her grief, Calpurnia and Atticus help her into her home. Calpurnia's presence during the emotional interaction demonstrates that she is a close friend of the family.
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