# XXXI: The Trial Concluded explained — The Hoosier Schoolmaster > Chapter companion for The Hoosier Schoolmaster by Edward Eggleston. ## What happens Bud Means, after being dismissed by Miss Martha, maintains an apparent hostility toward Ralph to act as a detective. He works on Walter Johnson's conscience, urging him to tell the truth in court. During the trial, Walter, torn between the influence of Dr. Small and Bud, finally confesses to the robbery, implicating Small and the Joneses. The court orders the arrest of Dr. Small, Peter Jones, and William Jones. Ralph is exonerated, and the crowd celebrates his victory. The chapter also reveals that Hannah is of age and free from her indenture, adding to the joyous outcome. ## Themes in this chapter ### Morality and Justice The trial concludes with the truth coming out, leading to the arrest of the guilty and the exoneration of the innocent. ### Courage and Resilience Bud's perseverance and Walter's difficult confession highlight the courage required to do the right thing. ### Community and Gossip The courtroom is filled with spectators who react emotionally to the trial, showing the community's deep involvement. ## Character check-ins ### Bud Means Acts as a detective, maintaining apparent hostility to save Ralph. He pressures Walter Johnson to tell the truth. ### Walter Johnson Torn between the influence of Dr. Small and Bud, he finally confesses to the robbery in court. ### Dr. Small The villain whose scheme unravels as Walter testifies against him. He is arrested at the end of the chapter. ### Ralph Hartsook The defendant in the trial, who is exonerated after Walter's confession. ### Hannah Thomson It is revealed that she is of age and free from her indenture, a key point in the trial's outcome. ### Mr. Soden His stern presence in the courtroom intimidates Walter Johnson into telling the truth. ## Key lines > The first dash of disappointment had well-nigh upset him. And when a man concludes to throw overboard his good resolutions, he always seeks to avoid the witness of those resolutions. The initial shock of disappointment nearly overwhelmed Bud, and when a person decides to abandon their good intentions, they tend to avoid those who saw them make those resolutions. _Explains Bud's initial avoidance of Ralph after being dismissed._ > But having broken with Ralph, he thought it best to maintain an attitude of apparent hostility, that he might act as a detective, and, perhaps, save his friend from the mischief that threatened him. After his falling out with Ralph, Bud decided to pretend to be hostile so he could secretly investigate and protect his friend from danger. _Reveals Bud's true motive for his apparent hostility._ > For Walter Johnson was the victim of Dr. Small, or of Dr. Small and such novels as The Pirate’s Bride , Claude Duval , The Wild Rover of the West Indies , and the cheap biographies of such men as Murrell. Walter Johnson was led astray by Dr. Small and by sensational novels and biographies that glorified criminals. _Explains Walter's vulnerability to Dr. Small's influence._ > The perdition of a man of his stamp is to have to make up his mind. For a man like Walter, the worst torment is having to make a decision for himself. _Highlights Walter's indecisiveness and dependence on others._ > “Tell the truth or go to penitentiary.” Bud warns Walter to tell the truth or face imprisonment. _Bud's repeated warning that pressures Walter to confess._ > He felt that he was making a clean breast of it⁠—at the risk of perdition, with the penitentiary thrown in, if he faltered. Walter felt he was confessing everything, risking damnation and prison if he hesitated. _Describes Walter's emotional state during his confession._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters/xxxi-the-trial-concluded - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_hoosier_schoolmaster_se/chapters