Miss Stephanie Crawford is the town socialite and gossip. Naturally, the Tom Robinson trial is the social event of the season for her, so she is excited and ready to soak in all the details. Aunt Alexandra even said that "Miss Stephanie Crawford's tendency to mind other people's business was hereditary" (129). That would mean that going to the trial must be a genetic impulse that she can't deny. When Miss Stephanie Crawford emerges from her home all dressed up in a hat and gloves on the day of the trial, she tells everyone that she is going to the Jitney Jungle--the market. Miss Maudie calls her out and says she has never seen her go to the market all dressed up; so, Miss Stephanie admits that she's going to the court to see what Atticus is doing. By the way she says it, she almost seems ashamed to admit that she's going to watch the trial--as if it isn't lady-like--but she can't resist.
However, there might be a bit of a darker side behind why Miss Stephanie goes to the trial. Scout reports in chapter 26 that she overheard Miss Gates, her third grade teacher, talking with Miss Stephanie after the trial about how she seemed glad that Tom was convicted. She said that people in the black community "were gettin' way above themselves" (247). Miss Gates proves to be a very prejudiced and racist woman. Based on the company she keeps, Miss Stephanie Crawford could very well share Miss Gates's views against black people. If this is the case, then Miss Stephanie's attitude behind going to the trial would have been prejudiced in nature and hopeful to see Tom convicted.
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