To What Extent Was Tom Robinson's Fate Sealed the Moment Mayella Ewell Accused Him of Rape.

The whole town of Maycomb is racist, which makes Atticus’s job harder trying to defend Tom Robinson against the word of a white man.Tom Robinson’s case is unjust since he is black and the majority of Maycomb revert to the stereotype that all blacks are immoral and criminals. “Quote” shows that it is a situation where little is possible to do when defending a black man because the town of Maycomb is deeply affected by racism they tend to only make decisions based on the race and so immediately think Tom Robinson is guilty, that he did indeed raped Mayella when there was so much evidence to prove otherwise. This is challenging for Atticus, since he has to persuade everyone to pretend there is no stereotype about blacks and that they are human

Atticus says that even though Tom is innocent, the all-white jury will find him guilty anyway because he is a black man. The people of Maycomb are livid that their best lawyer would defend a black man who “raped” a white woman. Up until now, Maycomb has been displayed as a happy little town, it’s been seen as nothing but positive. The racist and unflattering side of Maycomb has been exposed as they attack the Finches. Even some of the Finches’ family members disapproves of Atticus’s choice. The town believes that Atticus defending a black man puts the Finch name to shame. They believed that he shouldn’t have done what he

Atticus displays these characteristics of positive morals, dignity and fairness by defending rape accused Tom Robinson and trying to provide him with a credible defence against the wishes and social norms of the community, however Atticus Finch abided by the social norms of the community while livingin a racially segregated community, carrying on with his day to day life in such a community, while using “white only” parks and white only buses without directly challenging the racist legal system and Atticus Finch did not dispute the fact that Tom Robinson is tried before an all-white jury and that it was fairly reasonable to assume that they would convict him of rape as a predetermined outcome on the mere fact that he was a black man and she was a white

To continue, Atticus’s peaceful nature, truly makes him the standout role model in Macomb County. While being a father of two children or a lawyer in Macomb County, Atticus Finch resembles a peaceful soul no matter what he is doing. For example, when Atticus lost the jury on the Tom Robinson case he remained calm and collected, as Harper Lee wrote, “Atticus put his hand on Tom’s shoulder as he whispered. Atticus took his coat off the back of his chair and pulled it over his shoulders.” Here Harper Lee is portraying a peaceful character, in how Atticus found out that he lost the jury he did not fight and get ugly, but

Tom Robinson did not rape Mayella, and he is eventually killed. To begin, Tom Robinson, is the main mockingbird in To Kill a Mockingbird novel, because he didn't harm anyone throughout the novel, and got killed for no reason.For example, Tom is like a mockingbird,because all he did was help her with the chores around the house. He felt pety for her,because no one could've helped her around the house, and his kindness was the cause why he died (p.201).This prove that Tom Robinson didn't do anything to hurt Mayella, in fact all he did was from sheer kindness towards her, from helping her with the chores around the house.Futhermore, Tom is falsely accused of rapping Mayella Ewell, even thought, he didn't rape her.In fact, because of his act of generosity, she took advantage of him and used him for her loneliness << No suh she--she hugged me.She hugged me around the waist...she reached up an’ kissed me ‘side of th’ face. She said she never kissed a grown man before an’ she might as well kiss a nigger.She said says what her papa do to her don't count. She says ‘Kiss me back, nigger.>> is what she did to him according to Tom’s version of what happened (p.197). This shows that Tom was certainly not the one taking advantage of no one, but Mayella,

Undoubtedly, one of the most controversial subjects in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, would be whether or not Atticus Finch should have defended Tom Robinson. However, in order to understand this controversy, a person must first be able to understand Atticus Finch himself. Atticus as a character is a very intellectual person who possesses the fortitude to stand up for whatever he believes is right and will not let other people’s choices affect his own. Furthermore, it is also important to understand that Atticus is not a racist, nor does he approve of the idea that one group of people are better than another based on their appearances in general, and because of this, a person can generalize that Atticus’s characteristic traits are why he did not complain when given the task of defending a black man, Tom Robinson, who had been wrongfully accused of raping a white woman. A man that he, as well as a small group of other people from town, viewed as the picture of innocence. In their eyes, Tom was no more than a mockingbird, “[and mockingbirds] don’t do one thing but make music for [people] to enjoy” (Lee 119). Knowing this, anyone with a reasonably strong sense of what is right and what is wrong can conclude that it does make sense for Atticus Finch to have taken the case due to his belief that it is a sin to kill the innocent as well as his courage that allows him to stay true to his ideas, even though when taking the case, he was inevitably going to be putting his

Furthermore, Atticus displayed integrity while defending Tom Robinson. Atticus made decisions based on his own conscience and not that of others. Lee writes, “Before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience. (105) Atticus is a man with morals, and therefore defends Tom Robinson in front of a racist jury to give him his right to a fair trial. Even though he knows he has a slim chance of winning the case, Atticus continues to do his best. Atticus asks the white jurors to consider the case on its merits and not take into consideration the race of the defendant, Tom Robinson. Atticus’s neighbor Miss Maudie, further describes his integrity by stating, “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets.” (46) Miss Maudie is saying that Atticus does not have anything to hide and does not try

Lawyer Atticus Finch, in his closing argument from the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee states in Tom Robinson’s case that racial prejudice has blinded the county into deciding the misguided decision. Finch’s purpose is to convince the jury one’s race is irrelevant to justice. He adopts a moralistic tone in order to persuade the jury of Tom Robinson’s innocence. Finch furthers his purpose by effectively employing rhetorical devices to inform the jury to discard their differences and make the choice that can set an innocent man free.

Racism causes people to lose all compassion and sympathy for their fellows. Being a southern town during the Great Depression, Maycomb is a society where racism against African-Americans is still goes on. Atticus proves this when he says, “Why people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don’t pretend to understand” (117). The citizens of Maycomb shocked by this behavior when Atticus is asked to defend Tom Robinson, an African-American who has been accused of raping a white girl. Unfortunately, there is only one possible solution for this trial, and Tom Robinson is convicted. Even though the prosecution has no credible evidence, Robinson’s race is enough for the jury to convict him, because he is an African American and they lie. Atticus even states that a colored man’s word is useless against the word of a white man (295). To make matters even worse, Tom attempts to escape from prison because he can’t keep this guilt inside of him of raping a white girl; unfortunately, the decision ends up taking his

This got him sent to a prison camp. There would be no issue with this conviction if there had been any solid evidence. Mayella never went to a doctor about the alleged rape, and the only witness didn’t even see anything happen. The case against Robinson was purely circumstantial evidence. There was most certainly reasonable doubt that he did it, but he was black.

In order to prove a point to the jury, Atticus Finch from Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, uses many rhetorical devices in order to show Tom Robinson’s innocence. Even though his speech was heavy on the ethos, Atticus also uses pathos and logos many times. Sadly, everybody knows that Tom Robinson is innocent and did not commit the crime, but because his skin color is black, Tom is simply used as a scapegoat to hide somebody else’s crime. Mayella Ewell, being both physically and emotionally abused, was forced to lie in her testimony by her drunken father, Bob Ewell. Mayella needed to lie in order to hide her sin: kissing a negro.

The lawyer’s gallant defense of Tom Robinson displayed his progressive convictions regarding a colorless courtroom. Mr.Finch is entirely aware of the prejudice environment surrounding him, and the disgrace his choice to defend Tom has brought upon his children from their peers. His campaigning attempt for Tom is long and difficult, and based on the quote above, he is aware victory will not result. His reasoning is explained when he says, "The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any color of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury box.” ( Lee 295 ) Atticus’s occupation revolves around the belief that fair trial is mandatory, and a racially biased jury should not be able to destroy this. Mr. Finch chooses to make his lifestyle revolve around this idea, and consequently is active in enforcing it in his community. This aspect of life is similarly mirrored in the way Mamie-Till Mobley approached living after the death of her son.

Mayella Ewell tries to seduce Tom Robinson, but Tom is a loyal married man and he refuses her, so as revenge, Mayella and Bob accuse him of rape, the case is taken to court and Tom Robinson is arrested for a crime he didn’t commit, even though Atticus gave a very compelling argument.

Although all evidence points at Robinson’s innocence, he is still proven guilty by the jury. Although Atticus promises Tom everything will work out, Tom attempts to escape prison and is shot seventeen times. Tom knows he will be given the death sentence, not because he is guilty, but because he is black. Tom’s failed escape may have been him facing the odds of maybe escaping versus definitely dying at the hands of his oppressors, or perhaps him trying to take control of the way he died. The type of prejudice demonstrated towards Tom Robinson ties back to the definition: “A preconceived judgement or opinion.” Maycomb decides Tom is guilty no matter what, simply because he is black. Tom Robinson’s trial is a historical reference to the Scottsboro Boys’ trial, in which eight young black boys were accused and convicted of raping two white women. There are connections between the two trials in the inconsistent testimonies, the evidence that favors the accused, and the unjust verdicts that ruined nine lives. The trial of Tom Robinson is a reminder that prejudice can and will kill. There are other citizens of Maycomb that are affected by prejudice; however not all of them have such a tragic end as Tom’s story.

Mayella.” An anonymous black man stated. The black community of Maycomb has spoken and wishes for the jury to justify and not prosecute Mr. Tom Robinson. Tom has been known to be a kind hearted man; he lives an honest life and tries to help the community as much as possible. Tom was described by many to be “too thoughtful”, his kind acts have lead to misfortune, instead of receiving gratitude, he receives nothing but criticism and disapproval. “He was taken advantage of, he shouldn’t have helped that worthless famil” a black man stated. Another man states that” Tom is clearly innocent, Sir Atticus has proven that Tom could not have beaten Mayella for his left arm is useless, it is fairly obvious that, her father, Bob beat her and not Tom.” An innocent man turned into a criminal, this is what the black community believes. They believe that the racial society has crossed the line and should be stopped. They think that this case is very important not just for Tom, but the whole community as one, they believe that they should stop succumbing to the leading community of whites. The black communities reverend has also stated” This case should most definitely receive a more fair trial, an all white jury will most definitely work against Tom Robinson” The blacks believe that they have received enough racial discrimination and should fight for their rights. Will Tom Robinson be freed? Can Atticus defend Tom