Tom Robinson Trial Essay

After Tom Robinson was charged with raping 19 year old Mayella Ewell, he was taken to court and Atticus had to defend his case. On page 212 of the novel Tom Robinson states that he ran away from Mayella when she had kissed him because he was scared, Atticus asked him why and he said “ Mr Finch, is you were a nigger like me, you’d be scared, too.“ Tom said this because of the society that they lived in where all “Black” people were not to be trusted. Atticus did his best to prove to the jury that Tom Robinson was not guilty for the crime that he was charged for

Tom Robinson enters To Kill a Mockingbird accused of raping Mayella Ewell but leaves To Kill a Mockingbird dead. Atticus Finch the defendant in Tom Robinson’s case and the father of Jem and Scout, did not fail Robinson, Robinson’s family or his own because he tried his best to prove that Tom was not guilty. For example , Miss Ewell explained that the attacker in her testimony, Tom Robinson had force himself on her, began to hold to her by the neck and hit her repeatedly after she asked him to bust up a chiffarobe for her. Heck Tate, the sheriff and witness of the trial had said Mayella only had bruises on both the neck and right side of her face, this now raised a red flag for Atticus. For Robinson to beat Miss Ewell repeatedly on the right side of her face he would have to use his left arm which got caught in a cotton gin years before. The disability that Tom Robinson had created great evidence for Atticus’s defense but didn’t work because of the unjust community they both live in. Maybe it would have worked if the trial was held in a courtroom that is built on justice for all, not just for the white.

How would you feel if you were shamed over things you couldn’t control? Based on only prejudice and stereotypes, some people hate others. Internalized intolerance can exist in everyone, mentally and legally. Court cases and trials can distinctly show this. To Kill A Mockingbird focuses around an unfair trial of Tom Robinson, who was wrongfully arraigned for raping a white woman. Although clear evidence pointed to Tom being innocent, he was still found guilty. Trials from the 1930s to today can compare to this. Many trials compare to Tom Robinson’s case on accounts of false accusations, discrimination, and unfair verdicts.

Tom Robinson, a familiar name in the MAycomb community, and not for the good reasons unfortunatley. Mayella Ewells is charginng Tom of rape and beating her, which are false accusations. He was completely innocent and not gulity. Tom was found guilty simply because of the color of his skin. He was later taken to prison were Tom was shot to death seventeentimes “ I guess Tom was tired of white mens chances and preferred to take his own. “ Atticus knew and understood that Tom would have no more hope left after all he has been through. All he was trying to do was help someone whom was inneed of help. While mockingbirds do nothing to bother others, Tom tries to escape the bird cage he is blindsided by seventeen bullets realizing that there is no way out.

Jem asked Atticus how the jury could convict Tom Robinson when he was obviously and undeniably innocent, Atticus retorts with,”I don’t know but they did it. They’ve done it before and they did it again tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it-seems only children weep”(213). Unfortunately due to the creed and outlook of the rural community, Tom was convicted due to the reason he was black even though he was proven guiltless. Most if not all the jurists knew Robinson was not guilty, yet convicted him of a crime he didn't commit because the mindset of blacks are bad and whites are good is much more meaningful than law and integrity. Atticus was apprehensive with the case and Harper Lee had him foreshadow the outcome of the trial when he said,” couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson’s word against the Ewells”(88). He is saying that the cards have been stacked against anyone who is defending a black person against a white person in a court case; he realizes he is going to lose the case by default. “ Maycomb’s usual disease”(187) was expected to take Tom Robinson’s life by Atticus and the reader. Although, some people like Atticus and the rest of the Finch family never surrendered to the prejudiced way of thinking that everyone had seemed to adjust

After the trial, Tom Robinson was placed at the Enfield Prison Farm, which was seventy miles away in Chester County (Lee 293). Tom Robinson had to wait for the higher court to review his case (Lee 293). However, Tom attempted to escape from the prison and was shot seventeen times (Lee 315). Even though Tom Robinson was declared guilty, the trial was still consequential. The jury spent a long time deciding if Tom Robinson was guilty or innocent. During that time period, it was unlikely for a jury to spend time deciding the innocence of a black person. Miss Maudie believed the justice system was taking baby steps towards racial equality (Lee 289). In addition, Jem and Scout lost part of their innocence. Jem was confident that his father was

Tom Robinson, a hard-working gentleman of color, found guilty for rapping nineteen year old Mayella Ewell although, he is innocent. More than that, Robinson is found guilty because of a prejudiced jury.

Yesterday, Tom Robinson was fatally shot after he attempted to escape county jail. According to Atticus Finch, defense attorney, Tom Robinson suddenly charged at the prison fence and started to climb over. The guards first asked Robinson to stop and they then fired several warning shots before finally shooting him seventeen times. He was proclaimed dead at the scene.

I believe that Atticus did the proper thing by defending Tom Robinson during the trial. Though it was controversial throughout Maycomb County, he served as an exceptional example for his children by accepting the case and genuinely defending a black man. There were many downsides when Atticus agreed to take the case appointed to him. Initially, his reputation and social status took a blow from this incident. This lead to backlash and insults from people across the community. The Finchs' had one of the highest social statuses in the town, for Atticus had a suitable job with a reputable name. (Lee PAGE) When word about this incident spread, many people disapproved. This was evident when many of Scout's classmates taunted her about her father being "a nigger lover", which they unmistakably picked up from their parents. (Lee PAGE) Atticus' family members were not too pleased with this decision as well. In the text, Francis repeats what his grandmother said, saying "[Atticus] ruinin‘ the family, that’s what he’s doin’". (Lee PAGE) Additionally, Mrs. Dubose had several degrading comments to say about the

I am reading, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In the chapters 16 through 23 many events happens. At the beginning of the chapters the trail starts and Mayella testifies by saying that Tom ran up behind her and took advantage of her. Later Tom told his side of the story by saying that Mayella invited him in and she tried to kiss him. Mr. Ewell saw them and started to yell at Mayella so he ran off. After the testimonies were over the jury came up with the verdict that Tom is guilty. In this journal, I will be predicting the verdict of the case.

In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Tom Robinson, the black man falsely convicted of rape, had absolutely no chance of a fair trial. There is proof of this in the time period in which it occurred as well as evidence from the novel itself. Tom Robinson had an unfair trial because it was his word against the Ewell’s, a white, trashy family.

“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 word, the white always wins. They’re ugly, but these are the facts of life” (Lee 295). Judging someone based on their ethnicity and culture, and saying that one race is better than the other is expressed numerous times throughout the book To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus experiences a lot of racism because he protects Tom Robinson, a negro going to trial for getting accused of beating a white woman.

Today in Maycomb County, there was a trail against a local African American man named “Tom Robinson.” He was accused for raping and beating up a white girl named “Mayella.” His lawyer is “Atticus Finch” is facing off against “Mr. Gilmer” the district attorney. Judge Taylor, appears to be sleeping through out the trial, yet pays attention and tends to chew his cigar. The supposed crime occurred in Mayella’s home, when Tom Robinson went to fix something and then he raped her.

I am reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and I am currently on page 259. In chapters 16-23, we are ultimately introduced to the hopeful beginning and the final verdict of Tom Robinson’s trial regarding rape. The trial plays an important part in relation to the plot because it portrays the theme of a mockingbird by constantly alluding to the fact that Tom Robinson is innocent with all evidence against the Ewell’s claims, yet the jury along with many of Maycomb’s residents conclude Tom Robinson to be guilty due to his racial status. Also in the beginning chapters of the section, we are greeted by Scout, Jem, and Dill’s adventurous appetite as they deliberately disobey Atticus’s commands and therefore arrive at the colored balcony of Maycomb’s

Another reason To Kill a Mockingbird is a good title for this book is Tom Robinson’s trial and death. Tom goes to trial for rape, and from the book it is assumed that Tom Robinson is innocent. Tom is not only innocent but he was very helpful to the victim before the trial. “Seemed like every time I passed by yonder she’d have something for me to do…” (Lee, pg. 256) Tom not only helped Mayella Ewell, but he did it without being paid anything besides one nickel. Even though Tom helped, Mayella accused him of rape. Tom, like Boo Radley, is seen as a mockingbird and Mayella gets him put in jail. Tom was also punished without doing anything wrong by getting a guilty verdict for his trial. “‘Guilty… guilty… guilty… guilty…”’ (Lee, pg. 282) Tom did