“‘In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always win. They’re ugly, but those are the facts of life’” (295). Atticus shows us that in Maycomb fairness and rights don’t matter if you’re black, because white people are thought of as far more superior than blacks. The people of Maycomb agree with each other, as for the Finches they are more understanding towards black rights. Harper Lee uses Tom Robinson in To Kill A Mockingbird to show us the injustices and the racial factors that occurred back then. Tom Robinson was accused of raping Mayella Ewell as for that a trial was set, and Atticus Finch was the defendant of Tom Robinson. Before the trial even began, Atticus already knew that he was going …show more content…
Atticus told his kids that he didn’t want to see them down at the trial but of course they didn’t listen and they went without him knowing. Everything seems to be going fine with the trial so far as Atticus is asking questions to Heck Tate the county sheriff and Bob Ewell the dad of Mayella. Jem got a bit excited when he thought that Atticus had got something on Bob Ewell that might prove Tom’s innocence but he was wrong. The trial goes on and now Atticus is talking to Mayella, she is easily offended by whatever Atticus is questioning about. She tells the story of Tom Robinson raping her but her story is very vague, and she’s telling Atticus that she doesn't recall some of the things that happened that day. Next Tom Robinson is on the stand and he tells the story from his point of view. Later on Jem sends Scout out with Dill because Dill started to cry because he was upset with the way Mr.Gilmer was talking to Tom. As they return to the court everyone is on their last statement about whether Tom did it or not. All of a sudden Atticus started to show nervousness, as he started loosening his tie, and unbuttoning his shirt. It was near the end of the trial and Tom Robinson was appointed guilty and the Finch kids were very
Tom Robinson’s trial was a hard one to watch, but it was so intriguing for the kids. Jem, Dill, and Scout just had to watch, so they left their house without permission to go see their dad defend Tom Robinson against Mayella Ewell. Jem thought that Atticus had a good chance at winning due to his cross-examination questions and the evidence he had. Once all of the jury’s votes came in unanimously as guilty, Jem started to realize what a twisted thing racism was. “I shut my eyes. Judge Taylor was polling the jury: “Guilty … guilty… guilty...guilty” I peeked over at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each “guilty” was a separate stab between them” (Lee 282). This quote really shows that Jem cares deeply for the trial and Tom Robinson. He does not understand why people are so rude to black people just because of skin color and he just wants everything to be equal. “It was Jem’s turn to cry. His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd. “It ain’t right,” he muttered” (Lee 284). Jem’s anger reflected the unfairness towards Tom Robinson and the fact that justice was not served. During the trial Jem never seemed too phased by Bob Ewell’s attorney Mr. Gilmer clearly showing that Tom was worthless, because he thought that his dad was a
The award winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee includes several key components that are exemplary passages of coming-of-age scenes. One of the most significant scenes throughout the whole book is the courtroom scene that describes the trial of Tom Robinson, who has been accused of rape by Mayella Ewell. The outcome of the trial was creating a coming-of-age scene for several characters, including Jem Finch, Jean Louise ‘Scout’ Finch, and Dill Harris. In this scene, it is seen that in defense of Tom, Atticus Finch uses ethical, logical, and emotional stances in order to find Tom innocent and continue to fight for justice by being impartial and having no judgement unlike society. Although a strong defense was presented, society still
In the Robinson trial, Tom was defended by Atticus Finch. Mr. Gilmer the prosecuting attorney for Mayella Ewell and Bob, her father. They were the two people who originally pressed charges against Tom Robinson for raping Mayella. When Bob Ewell was brought up to the stand to be questioned
During the trial, Atticus gives a speech to the jury about why he thinks Tom Robinson is innocent and Atticus concludes his defense of Tom Robinson by asking the jury to set aside racial prejudice and consider what likely occurred between Tom Robinson and Mayella Ewell. Mayella has violated a normal thing in their society by kissing a black man, and
‘ hey, Mr. Cunningham.’” (Lee 204). After scout said that she is able to disperse the Mob and have Mr.Cunningham saying“ ‘ I'll tell him you said hey, little lady,’ he said.”(Lee 206). This is giving light to show people that she still does have innocence even after going head on with a mob. The trial for Tom Robinson is going to start the next day. Jem, Dill, and Scout, being the mischievous kids they are they, go to the trial. Innocence is lost here by the trial itself, and the evidence that Atticus presents and the verdict of the jury with that evidence. Lee writes “ ‘ Tom , stand up. Let Miss Mayella have a good long look at you’… his left arm was fully twelve inches shorter than his right,”(Lee 248). This means that he could not have done what Mayella said he did but the verdict for this case was guilty. The reason being because Tom is black and the person accusing him is white. The lose of innocence here is Tom's because even though he is innocent his color makes him guilty. Making this man lose part of who he
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird follows the childhood of Jem and Scout Finch, who both encounter and experience many things that cause them to grow up during the book. One of the main events in the book that is a major factor into their growth is the trial of Tom Robinson. The trial consists of Atticus Finch, their father, defending Tom Robinson, the defendant, against the Ewells and Mr. Gilmer, the plaintiff. Atticus and the Finch children have faced much criticism since Atticus wants to defend Tom, a black man, while he is white. Much of the trial boils down to racism and prejudice. But, by Atticus’ skill, by Atticus’ determination, and by Atticus’ speech, he almost succeeded. Before the event of the trial, Harper Lee uses many symbols
Even though he knew Jem and Scout would find out on their own, he wants Scout to know in advance what he believes will be the outcome of the trial. Atticus knows of Scout’s presence when he is talking to his brother about how the outcome of the trial, and how the people of Maycomb will react. The last sentence of chapter 9 is Scout stating, “But I never figured out how Atticus knew I was listening, and it was not until may years later that I realized he wanted me to hear every word he said.” At the end of the book, after Bob Ewell attacks the children and is killed, Atticus believes Jem did it. Even though he wants to protect his own son, he knows the right thing to do is take it to court and tell the truth. All of these events convey
When they got in there, Mayella went to get him a nickel; she claimed he jumped on her and raped her. That is when Bob Ewell came in and heard Mayella screaming and then they claimed Tom Robinson raped Mayella. Tom Robinson tried to plead his case but in the end, he was a black man going against a white family and he was found guilty and sent to jail. In To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the situation of Tom Robinson is a result of the Ewells family’s actions, as evidenced by Tom Robinson getting put in jail because he got accused of raping a girl and then Tom Robinson running and climbing a fence but getting shot in prison. However, it is also important to understand that Tom Robinson had gone to help Mayella when no one else was home.
During the trial Scout notices that Tom Robinsons arm is withered and that he couldn’t do the crime in the way Mayella Ewell said he did. Atticus calls only one witness which is Tom Robinson. Tom tells the true story, being careful to not come right out and say that Mayella is lying. Tom makes a mistake when he admits under cross-examination that he, a black man, felt sorry for Mayella
It was during that trial that not only he but also Jem and Scout realized people are hateful and discriminatory and that the world is not always fair, forever shattering their childhood innocence. In addition to the children's innocence being killed, the theme of killing innocence is also represented in the novel by the innocent person in the story who was killed. During the court case, Tom Robinson was a young gentleman who remained polite the entire time. It was clear from a non-biased viewpoint that he was innocent due to many
During this time, Atticus, who is a lawyer, takes on a very difficult case. He is defending Tom Robinson, who is an African American man being charged with raping a white woman named Mayella Ewell. At the trial, Jem and Scout try to find seats, but they are all taken. Reverend Sykes, the reverend of the African American church, runs into Scout and Jem and tells them “There’s not a seat downstairs. Do you all reckon it’ll be alright if you all came to the balcony with me” (186)? The children happily take his offer and travel to the balcony where “Four negroes rose and gave them their front-row seats” (186). As time passes, Jem becomes very engaged in the trial. Scout says that “Jem seemed to be having a quiet fit. He was pounding the balcony rail softly, and once he whispered, “We’ve got him” (202). Jem is very confident that they have won the case, and thinks that Tom Robinson will not be convicted to be guilty. Later in the book, when they take a break from the trial, Jem
Tom Robinson is called to testify and when he tries to put his left arm on the bible it keeps slipping off. Then Tom says this isn’t the first time he has been convicted of a crime when Atticus asks him if this was his first time being convicted of a crime.Tom says he was convicted because he couldn’t pay the fine that would have released him for the crime of fighting. Then Tom gives his account on the Ewell’s story. Tom states that Mayella asked him to fix a broken door. Tom says that when he went into the house Mayella tells him he gave the children money to buy ice cream and wants him to lift a box down from the dresser. Tom then says Mayella grabbed him by the leg and then asked for a kiss while hugging him as he went to grab a chair.
It bamboozles me why Mr Finch doesn’t shield them from the ugliness of the situation. My worries are not on the children now though, I just keep thinking of Tom Robinson. Dear God, he’s never gonna be accepted as innocent, even with the defence of mighty Mr Finch. Ain’t nobody gonna choose a black man over a white man, be it
Tom Robinson, a Negro man, was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a 19 year old and the daughter of Bob Ewell. The court case took place at the Maycomb County courthouse, and a huge crowd of people, both white and blacks came to watch the trial. The prosecutor was Mr. Gilmer and the defending lawyer was Atticus Finch. The case was directed by Judge Taylor. The result of the trail ended in favor of the pretender, the Ewell family. The crime took place on the evening of November 21st of last year, near the garbage dump. In Maycomb, the Ewells had lived behind the town garbage dump for years which were once a Negro Cabin.
While Tom was at the jail he was going to be taken by a lench mob but Atticus was there and then his kids ran there. Scout then started talking to Mr. Cunningham by asking him to tell his son walter that he said hello which made him remember that he had a kid so the mob left. During court he was told that he raped Mayella and that he would be sentenced to death but a lawyer named Atticus Finch tried to defend him. Atticus had two kids names Scout and Jem which were made fun for their dad defending a niger. Atticus told them that he could not tell Jem or scout to do anything if he did not take this case.