Why did Heck suddenly change from talking about Jem to talking about Boo?

[Shawn]

I understand that Boo killed Mr. Ewell, but I'm confused about how the discussion went as they were deciding what the public would hear about the event.

Atticus and Heck are talking about why they shouldn't let the public know that Jem did it, but then Heck says "I never heard tell that it's against the law for a citizen...If it was any other man it'd be different. But not this man, Mr. Finch."

There Heck is suddenly talking about Boo. Why the sudden topic change? Atticus thinks on it and agrees to say that Ewell fell. Apparently Atticus understands that Boo did it, but didn't say anything before. Are both men trying to cover up Boo in different ways without mentioning him? Are they avoiding discussing that they think Boo did it?

It's just a strange conversation and I was hoping for some insight. I don't get why Atticus said Jem did it. Was that his way of protecting Boo?

The way that Heck suddenly changes the topic from Jem to Boo is so abrupt.

[Teresa]

One of my favorite parts of the book.

[Amy]

Atticus really did believe that Jem did it; Atticus wanted it out in the open because he didn't want people thinking he was "hiding" or "protecting" his son. He knew Jem would not get into trouble because it was self-defense, but he wanted Jem to go through the correct, legal process anyway so nothing would tarnish Jem's reputation (like a "hush up" over the whole thing would). After Heck convinced Atticus that is was, in fact, Boo who had killed Ewell, the conversation changed to protecting Boo from the attention it would bring if he was the hero who saved the Finch children. Boo was such a recluse that it would break him to have everyone acknowledging him (all the old ladies pouring over him and bringing him pies as Heck stated). That is when they decided to rule it "accidental" - that Ewell fell on his knife while attacking the children.

[Bianca]

Both Atticus and Heck knew it was Boo but they were trying to proctect him. Each had their own version of what happened. Atticus, being the town lawyer, thought it would be best if they said Jem did it being that he was a minor and it was clearly self defense. Heck thought it would be best if they said Ewell killed himself so that neither Jem nor Boo would be implicated. In the line If it was any other man it'd be different. But not this man, Mr. Finch."
he is referring to Ewell saying that if it had been someone other than Ewell then they may need to think of a different defense plan but since it was Ewell no one will question that he did it himself because the town would be glad he was dead.

These were two adult men who were both in the criminal justice system. They knew Boo did it. They knew what would happen to him if the town found out. They just did not have alone time to think of a cover story together. I also think that Atticus did not know if Heck would be willing to cover up the story or not.

[Hayley]

I agree with Amy. Atticus was a bit panicky (for Atticus) and believed Scout when she said it was Jem who pulled Ewell off of her. Tate knew the truth by then as he'd seen Ewell's body and kitchen knife in his side. And then to clue Atticus in he shouts at one point, "God damn it, I'm not thinking of Jem!" When Atticus goes to the swing to sit down, that's when he understands that Boo did more than just carry Jem home. Anyway, that's what I think.

[Mary]

Amy wrote: "Atticus really did believe that Jem did it; Atticus wanted it out in the open because he didn't want people thinking he was "hiding" or "protecting" his son. He knew Jem would not get into trouble ..."

Amy, I agree completely and have always thought this. Boo was such a shy man, that he would never have been able to stand up to the light of the accolades and praised heaped upon him, no matter the righteousness of the act. It took him a long time just to be able to "communicate" with Jem, Scout and Dill. Atticus and Heck are pretty much just skylarking, trying to figure out a way to make the whole incident sound believable to the rest of the town. That is one of the greatest strengths of this book; the dialog. It is so completely natural and organic. There isn't a false note in this book.

[Lisa]

Jamie Lynn wrote: "I think Atticus thought Jem did it. Heck corrected him. I think he knew that it was justified. Maybe the fact that Boo was different and kind of delicate caused them to feel careful in the conversa..."

That is the way I always understood it. Atticus wanted to do what was right, but Heck knew it was Boo who had actually rescued the children and that the glare of publicity would be torture for him.