To Kill A Mockingbird Should Have Never Come To Trial

Maycomb's unjust beliefs on race determined the outcome of Tom Robinson's trail. Atticus´s defence was more than enough to set Tom free, but Maycomb's ignorance and narrow-minded view on African Americans set an innocent man to jail. Atticus told Jem "If you had been on that jury, son, and eleven other boys like you, Tom would be a free man" (Lee 295). The jury members had been affected by the ignorance of society. They convicted Tom because when they grow up they learned racists beliefs and they do not know any other way. In Maycomb, racism is a normal part of everyday life. When kids at Scouts school call Atticus a n***** lover. Atticus explains to Scout what it means, "Scout," said Atticus, "n*****-lover is just one of those terms that don't mean anything—like snot-nose. It's hard to explain—ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody's favoring Negroes over and above themselves.¨ (144). The racists views and attitudes determined the guilty verdict of Tom. In Atticus closing argument, he says "She was white, and she tempted a Negro. She did something that in our society is unspeakable: she kissed a black man¨(272). Society has a set of rules which are not written but known, these rules tend to be ignorant and impartial. When it comes to race and the misguided beliefs about race, there is a profusion of ignorance. The expectations on race set by society affect the actions and events of life.

Tom Robinson’s case, in which we see in that time period how a white man’s word goes against a black’s, is perceived as unfair by Scout, Jem, Atticus, and many of their neighbors. As Atticus says to Jem, “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it–whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash.”(295) This quote explains that there is great injustice and extortion for personal gain. This is disturbing in its own right; The fact that Atticus needs to even make a comment like that is disturbing in its own right, let alone that any person would do that to another, also tells Jem this: “So far nothing in your life has interfered with your reasoning process. Those are twelve reasonable men in everyday life, Tom’s jury, but you saw something come between them and reason. You saw the same thing that night in front of the jail. When that crew went away, they didn’t go as reasonable men, they went because we were there. There’s something in our world that makes men lose their heads–they couldn’t be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins. They’re ugly, but those are the facts of life.”(295) Even a man like Atticus, a sort of rebel in that time period, accepts that the system is

Alexander Murray, an American writer, states “Racism is taught in our society, it is not automatic. It is learned behavior toward persons’ with dissimilar physical characteristics.” In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Atticus is trying to manipulate the judge by stating his closing argument. He makes a valid point about the trial because everything is bogus and Tom Robinson is going to jail as a result of the racial division. The author of the book uses emotions and facts to get to her main message.

Tom Robinson was a dominant character that symbolized the complete idea of being a victim of hypocrisy. Robinson conspicuously did the task of helping others in return for nothing else but his own joy. The reality that he did nothing but help others was a disgrace to many knowing that the Ewells´ would stop at nothing to convict Tom of a crime that he didn't commit. Tom also depicted the blacks in this story showing how they were treated in past history. Black men were always found guilty of crimes in the late 1930´s, even if they were clearly virtuous to the case. As stated, Reverend Sykes showcases his opinion by stating how blacks weren't treated fairly by saying ¨Now don't you be so confident Mr. Jem, I ain't ever seen any jury decide in favor of a colored man over a white man...¨ ( Lee 279). Still, to this day blacks and other races aren't being treated as fairly as whites. Whites have been given more privilege and forgiveness. Regardless of opinionated views, hypocrisy in the courtroom was a major deal in To Kill A Mockingbird.

Prejudice is a very prominent motif throughout To Kill A Mockingbird. Harper Lee conveys the message that prejudice deprives us of understanding reality and the world around us. One of the most noticeable cases is the prejudice against Tom Robinson due to his skin color. In the trial, the jury had agreed Tom was guilty because of his race, even though there was no substantial evidence to prove so. Atticus knows the men on the jury are blinded by prejudice and racism, so he says to them, “The witnesses for the state...have presented themselves to you gentlemen...in the cynical confidence that their testimony would not be doubted...on the assumption that all Negroes lie” (273). Although the men of the jury understood that the Ewell’s testimonies

In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Andy Harper The justice system has a powerful bias against Tom Robinson which was proven when ample evidence was provided proving his innocence still landed him in prison whilst boo had all evidence proving his guilt gets ruled innocent, this demonstrating the racial bias treatment of blacks in the 1930’s.

“Thomas Jefferson once said that all men are created equal.” However, for a strange reason, some people do not treat all men equally. Instead, they are prejudiced against certain groups or races. In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, racism is very prevalent in the lives of people in the South. Racism has affected the supposedly unbiased jury, as evidenced by the book. Though the jury found Tom Robinson guilty, there are many reasons why the jury should have ruled in favor of Robinson.

First, Atticus Finch is selected to represent Tom Robinson, an innocent black man accused of rape, in court. Furthermore, Atticus Finch recognizes the deep prejudice and unlikelihood of justice for Tom Robinson: "There's something in our world that makes men lose their heads -- they couldn't be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins.” (Lee 224) In this quote, especially through the phrase “They couldn’t be fair if they tried,” Atticus emphasizes the clear improbability of fair justice due to the deep-set racist bias prevalent in Maycomb County. Furthermore, by saying “When it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins,”Atticus predicts that racism will unfortunately prevail in this case. Earlier in the novel, Atticus recognizes that he will lose the case because of Tom Robinson’s race, but he still represents Tom Robinson as an innocent man, not by his race. As Atticus predicted, racial bias prevailed over dignity and reason, and Tom Robinson, an innocent man, is considered to be guilty later in the novel. Therefore, Atticus Finch fails to acquit Tom Robinson, but the factors on why are apparent.

Racial bias plays a big role in To Kill a Mockingbird. Tom Robinson was accused of raping a young white girl, and the court decided he was guilty even though the evidence supported that he was innocent. “They turned off the highway, rode slowly by the dump and past the Ewell residence, down the narrow lane to the Negro cabins.” (Lee, 244)

The town of Maycomb was the standard for treatment of Negros in the 1930s. An example of discrimination Negros faced in To Kill a Mockingbird, was when Mr. Radley made the assumption a black person was sneaking around in this yard. Miss Stephanie said that, “Shot in the air. Scared him pale, though. Says if anybody sees a white nigger around, that’s the one” (Lee, P.54). This shows how Mr. Radley assumed only a Negro would sneak into his yard. Maycomb also shows prejudice towards Atticus when he defends Tom Robbinson. Even Atticus’s family displays prejudice towards Atticus, “I guess it ain’t your fault if uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I’m here to tell you it certainly does mortify the family” (Lee, P.83). This is Francis regurgitating what his family has told him. Prejudice goes beyond Maycomb’s habits and extends right into the court of law with tom’s trial. Tom was wrongly accused as a result of a prejudice jury. Even a knowledgeable man, Atticus, knows that Tom would not be proven innocent

Although many people will deny it, racism is still very much existent, even since the 1930’s that Lee writes about. Insults like “n- lovin’ bastard” (Lee 217) are hurled at Atticus for defending a black man. Racism is so prevalent in the community that even children are heard making racist comments: “He’s nothing but a n- lover” (Lee 83). Furthermore, the jury’s decision to find Tom Robinson guilty, even though all evidence proved the opposite, shows that Maycomb’s citizens are willing to prosecute an innocent man solely because of his skin color. Interestingly enough, Lee also writes a scene where Jem and Scout experience racism from a black person. Upon seeing white people in the First Purchase Church, Lula says to Calpurnia, “You ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillum here” (Lee 119). Racism still occurs currently. Many people are treated unjustly because of the color of their skins and racial slurring is the subject of many common jokes. Comparing, the racial prejudice in Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird to today’s society shows that even over such a long period of time, racism is present even now and will continue to be present for a long time to

Systematic injustice and inequality perpetuated by those in positions of power is seen as a war that may never be won. When citizens under the ideal of a white man are presented with an alleged crime, they are often unfairly treated and misrepresented. The social spectrum gives insight on who would be convicted for a crime, all evidence aside. White men are the pinnacle of purity, while white women are below them. Black men and women are seen as dirty criminals. When the court takes matters into their hands, verdicts are often determined by race. Situations where facts are outweighed by racial bias present a colossal injustice issue. The constant battle of injustice in To Kill A Mockingbird structures a platform to discuss that social aspect, mainly regarding the trial of Tom Robinson and the outcome. Harper Lee conveys the idea of systematic injustice by giving characters unfair consequences for their actions. The characters Tom Robinson and Mayella Ewell delve into the idea of injustice, while Bob Ewell can be seen as a token of justice, but in fact serves the same purpose as Tom Robinson and Mayella. A large portion of the unfairness represented is because by prejudice, specifically racial intolerance.

To Kill a Mockingbird echoes themes of racial injustice and a flawed court system. Tom Robinson’s trial relates to the Scottsboro Case in 1939. Both cases, fiction and reality, show how the process within the court system is truly imperfect. The push of Jim Crow Laws during the 1930s gave people a deep seeded hatred towards African Americans. Many were wrongly convicted due to either the color of their skin or their social status. Many reforms went in place in order to create an equal and fair judicial system however the case of wrongful convictions reigns true today, with a majority of men sent on death row either being discriminated based on race or convicted despite lack of evidence. This issue continues to plague the belief that all men are created equal. Many tried to pour their issues onto African Americans as a scapegoat to avoid society’s everlasting judgment. Many court cases throughout history prove that discrimination is an absolute issue in a place where it shouldn’t be. The theme of racial injustice being a determining factor in the court system is exemplified in The Scottsboro Case, To Kill a Mockingbird, and currently on death row.

In the novel, the citizens of Maycomb County openly acknowledge the shameful treatment towards African Americans. Atticus says many white men can not “be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins” (Lee 295). Throughout the To Kill a Mockingbird, black men and women were segregated and called names by their white counterparts. Even in court, Tom Robinson was not able to receive a fair trial because he was black.

This can be shown from Scout’s awareness of Atticus’s morals, Dill’s discontent with the treatment of African Americans, and Atticus’s final speech towards the end of Tom Robinson’s trial. When Scout acknowledges that Atticus knows how to use a gun, she wonders why he doesn't shoot more often. However, Miss Maudie, her neighbor, tells her that Atticus “Put his gun down when he realized God had given him an unfair advantage over most living things… He wouldn't shoot until he had to” (130). Scout learns that Atticus does not wish to feel superior and therefore strives for equality among Maycomb’s residents, in order to create a balanced society. Thus, the readers learn to set aside their advantages in order to promote equality and peace. To Kill a Mockingbird also causes a change in the attitudes of readers from the unfair and prejudiced treatment of African Americans, After the trial, Dill exclaims, “It ain’t right, somehow it ain’t right to do em that way- Hasn’t anybody got any business talkin’ like that- it just makes me sick!” (226). Readers learn of the biased treatment of whites over blacks present in Maycomb, which causes them to rethink the way they treat other people and oppose those who act superior towards others. Readers do not want to be known as a cruel person, which leads them to treat everyone equally, like the unprejudiced people in Maycomb. Lastly, To Kill a Mockingbird shifts the reader's’ attitude from Atticus’s final thoughts about Maycomb’s unfaltering racism. At the conclusion of Tom Robinson’s trial, Atticus states that, “This cause should have never came to trial. This case is as simple as black and white - I say guilt,l gentlemen, because it was guilt that motivated her [Mayella Ewell]... she has merely broken a rigid and time-honored code of