How is the trial affecting the children's weekly visits to town

The children must contend with comments, gossip, and hard looks from their white neighbors and friends. They father Atticus is front and center in the trial. To many white townspeople he is seen as a racial trader for defending a black client in a rape case involving a white girl. As the trial draws closer, the courthouse becomes a focal point for Maycomb. Many of the people have come from out of town. Outside the courthouse the town is busy. Scout mentions it is sort of "carnival" like were it not for the circumstances behind the sudden popularity of Maycomb.