Walter Cunningham is a poor boy in Scout's class who cannot afford lunch at school. Scout tries to help him by offering him a quarter to buy food, but Walter refuses at first because he cannot repay the debt. Scout eventually convinces him to take the money without expecting anything in return.
Scout diffuses the situation by recognizing Mr. Cunningham in the mob and engaging him in conversation about his son, Walter. This personal connection reminds Mr. Cunningham of his humanity and moral values, causing him to lead the others away from the courthouse. Scout's innocence and sincerity help to humanize the situation and bring a sense of empathy to the mob.
Scout tries to explain to Walter Cunningham that Atticus is a good person and meant no harm when trying to help him. She ends up offending Walter by calling him "trash" without realizing how insensitive it was.
Scout diffuses the situation by recognizing Mr. Cunningham and engaging him in conversation, which reminds him of his humanity. By talking to him as an individual and acknowledging their shared humanity, Scout helps Mr. Cunningham see past his prejudice and reconsider his actions, ultimately preventing harm to Tom.
Scout began talking to Walter Cunningham, completely oblivious to the fact that Tom Robinson and possibly her father were about to be lynched. In this particular point in the novel, Scout displays innocence that only a child could have. Mr. Cunningham himself has a child around Scout's age, and he wouldn't want Walter (junior) to go through that and so he leaves the scene and takes the rest of the mob with him.
There are two Walter Cunninghams in 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. The first, Walter Cunningham, Sr., is one of the men in the mob who tries to kill Tom Robinson and hurt Atticus Finch. The second, Walter Cunningham, Jr., is the son of Walter Cunningham, Sr. who gets Scout in trouble on the first day of school.Walter Cunningham Sr. A client of Atticus Finch, a farmer, and part of the mob that threatened to hang Tom Robinson. Walter Cunningham Jr. Son of Walter Sr and a classmate of Scout's.
In "To Kill a Mockingbird," Walter Cunningham Sr. is portrayed as illiterate, having limited formal education. In the book, Scout mentions that Walter Sr. never went to school, or else he would have been able to understand Atticus's attempts to help him with his finances.
Walter didn't bring lunch to school and Miss Caroline gave Walter a quarter for lunch and told him to pay it back the next day. Scout informs Miss Caroline that he is poor and cannot pay it back. Then she is whipped in front of the class with a ruler.
Mr. Cunningham was one of the men from Old Sarum who came to lynch Tom Robinson but was unsuccessful because of Scout, Jem, and Dill's interruption. He was also one of Atticus' clients when he needed legal help with a land problem. Scout and Jem had taken his son, Walter, home from school to have lunch with them on their first day of school. When Scout recognized him and began to talk to him on a personal level, he was convinced to lead the Old Sarum mob back home without hurting anyone.
Atticus funded Uncle Jack's education. He put him through college and med school.
Walter Cunningham didn't pass the first grade because his family's situation didn't allow him to attend school regularly. He was needed at home to help with farming and household chores, which affected his attendance and ability to keep up with his studies.
Scout learned from Atticus, her father, that the Cunninghams were country farmers, and were decimated by the stock crash. He explained to her they were very proud, and did not accept charity, leading to Walter Cunningham's refusal of lunch money offered by the teacher. She learned that Mr Cunningham's entailment was being paid off in produce, since he had no cash.
Scout broke up the lynch mob when she began talking to mr. cunningham about his son. scout showed that she had no clue what was occurring at the moment so mr. Cunningham realized her innocence and decided to send all the men home.