Changes In The Tom Robinson Trial In To Kill A Mockingbird

Someone once said, “Morality is defined as doing what is right, regardless of what everybody else is doing.” In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the citizens of Maycomb are followers. This often leads to disgraceful and harmful behavior towards people, including uncalled for judgment. The citizens of Maycomb follow their peers and are participating in many sinful acts, instead of being individual people. This is very evident in the treatment of Boo Radley and how people are defined by their skin color. While the people of Maycomb follow one another in their corrupt behaviors, Jem Finch lets these events change his perspective on life and his morality. Jem’s morality changes when he discovers the reason as to why Boo Radley shuts himself

During the Tom Robinson trial, the readers distinctly see the evidence showing that Tom Robinson is not guilty of raping Mayella Ewell. At one point during the trial, Judge Taylor says, “People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for” (Lee 174). This is proven when Tom Robinson is found guilty by the jury. The people saw a black man and automatically declaredsaid him guiltye was guilty because of his skin color. They only saw the inefficient evidence pointing to Tom Robinson, and only heard the false testimonies committing Tom of this hateful crime. The verdict greatly impacts Jem in multiple ways. When he hears of the unfair decision by the jury, he indignantly states to Atticus, “It ain’t right” (Lee 212). Later on, while trying to make sense of the racist verdict, he cries, “How could they do it, how could they?” (Lee 213). Jem now clearly sees the racism in the people of Maycomb firsthand and how horrible it can be. This particular event even cost a man his life. Jem realizes how villainous racism and discrimination can be, and he does not want to live like that. Jem became very adamant towards racism and prejudice after the trial. He is so hurt by this unfair decision, to the point of even crying, and wants it to stop. His morality changes because of this and is now very different from the people of Maycomb. The citizens can be defined as racist and not being able to see past someone’s skin color. But for Jem, he is passionate and disappointed towards the racism because of the Tom Robinson trial and the guilty verdict. When all is said and done, the Tom Robinson trial and the guilty and racist verdict associated with it exceedingly shapes Jem’s