The climax of To Kill a Mockingbird is the court case of Tom Robinson. Tom is a disabled black man, who got his left hand stuck in a cotton gin in his youth, is accused and later convicted of raping a white girl named Mayella Ewell. Atticus defends Tom and the community does not like this. They call him nasty names and pick on his children. This opens Jem and Scout to a whole other world of people, and shows them how offensive people can be. However, the trial itself is a turning point for the children. They are exposed to racism first hand, and notice how derogatory and discriminatory people are. The missionary circle is also a turning point for Scout, but more for Aunt Alexandra. The missionary circle is traditionally composed of ladies from …show more content…
He is stunned by the inhumanity that the jury holds to convict an innocent man. After he heard that Tom was guilty Jem broke down in tears, complaining about the unfairness of it all. Atticus explains to him that the trial was an irremediable case. In court, a white man’s word is of almost always of higher value than a black man’s word. When the two are put against each other, the white man’s word is always the one the jury chooses to trust.Despite that, Jem says that that still “doesn't make it right...you just can't convict a man on evidence like that”(295). Everyone in that courthouse was aware of who committed the actual crime, and they were also very aware that it was not Tom Robinson. However, after thinking about this fact, a question strikes Jem -”why don’t people like us and Miss Maudie ever sit on juries?” (296). This is because that at the time, women were not allowed to sit on a jury. This fact is shocking to both Jem and Scout, as if it had never occurred to them that women may not have some of the same liberties as men, despite them both using the term “girl” as an insult in the past. This communicates Jem maturing and beginning to see women as more than just a derogatory term. He is turning into someone who sees women as capable human beings worth more than just frilly dresses and
Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, Harper Lee's, To Kill a Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior, to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, and the struggle between blacks and whites. Atticus Finch, a lawyer and single parent in a small southern town in the 1930's, is appointed by the local judge to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, who is accused of raping a white woman. Friends and neighbors object when Atticus puts up a strong and spirited defense on behalf of the accused black man. Atticus renounces violence but stands up for what he believes in. He decides to defend Tom Robinson because if he did not, he would not only lose the respect of his children and the townspeople, but himself as well.
Tom Robinson is a minor character who is black and accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. Tom Robinson symbolizes a mockingbird which does not harm any people but is accused of an uncommitted crime. Atticus Finch is appointed to defend Tom Robinson. The portrayal of Tom Robinson in the text helped me understand the char...
"Guilty echoed through the courtroom like a gunshot. . ." Atticus' face dropped marginally. I could see his two children in the gallery. Jem was grasping the railing so tight he might've needed to break it with his exposed hands. Jean Louise looked disheartened with her eyes shut. At that point it was over; Tom Robinson was sentenced guilty.
In the courtroom that night it is revealed that the alleged crimes of Tom Robinson, a decent Negro man, most likely did not happen. As Atticus says in his closing argument, "The state has not produced one iota of medical evidence to the effect that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place. It has relied instead upon the testimony of two witnesses whose evidence has not only been called into serious question on cross-examination, but has been flatly contradicted by the defendant. The defendant is not guilty, but somebody in this courtroom is” (Lee 271). Showing the clear innocence of Tom Robinson due to lack of evidence, Scout thinks that the white jury will do the right thing only to find out that they still, unfairly, accuse him of being guilty. Scout and her brother, Jem, get very upset when they hear the verdict, however, it allows them both to learn the lesson that the county is unfair towards anyone who is not white. The county demonstrates this evil racism due to the social divisions in Maycomb between the whites and the blacks and because the whites see the blacks as unworthy of rights and freedoms. It was not just the trial itself that displayed evil in the world, but the comments and arguments surrounding the case did
Having grown up in the home of a lawyer, Jem understands the ways of the courtroom and recognizes Atticus’ behavior in court. When Tom Robinson is put on trial for being accused of raping Mayella Ewell, Atticus is appointed his attorney. As questioning continues, Atticus blatantly proves it was impossible for Tom to even commit the crime. Jem says to Reverend Sykes, "...don't fret, we've won it....Don't see how any jury could convict on what we heard" (Lee 279). Jem’s response to Reverend Sykes comment
Scout witnesses the injustice and the unfair discrimination of “negroes” as “basically immoral beings” (20.204) but her father stands against his cruel treatment for what is right even in the face of danger. He reasons with the people that not all “negroes” are evil because of their color and points out the flaws in the testimony only to no avail. After Atticus loses the trial, the children lose their innocence as they see that the good being sentenced to death in essence and the bad winning the trial. However, a valuable lesson is taught to them that it is wrong to “cheat” another person because by acting in that manner is “trash” (23.220). The definition of “cheat” is to be dishonest in order to gain an advantage and taking such an advantage makes one no better than “trash” or useless. If the setting were to be set in modern day, then the trial could have gone differently and as opposed to displaying the wickedness of racial inequality; the theme would have been the impartiality in the justice
It was clear based on the evidence that Tom was innocent, but with the jury consisting of only white men in 1930's Alabama, they decided to convict Tom only because it was a white man's word against a black man's. This upsetted Jem and Scout as they were sure that Tom and Atticus would win the case. It made them realize that people with prejudice will make unfair decisions, even when it's clear that they are making the wrong decision: "...but in the secret courts of men's hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed." (Lee 323). Seeing this changes Jem and Scout's perception of the people living in Maycomb, as they start to question whether the people of Maycomb were as good-hearted as they thought. Nowadays, there would not be racial prejudice in a courtroom, however the jury that was biased during Tom's trial could be the modern equivalents of people who use racial profiling, racial bias, and stereotyping. The kids and the reader learn that people who make judgements and decisions based on prejudice are people who should not be considered
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 220). This is how Atticus described the trial to his son Jem because he could not comprehend how unjust the trial was unfolding on a daily basis. The proceedings were not equitable towards Tom Robinson because everyone should have realized at the trial that he had not done anything wrong. In the end, Atticus lost the trial. Not because the jury and judge thought Tom Robinson had committed the crime, but simply because he was black and they were racist.
LAST WEEK- The Maycomb courthouse was overflowing with people, an anomalous situation. Everyone crowded the courtroom hoping to catch a bit of the Ewell vs. Robinson case that had been the talk of the town for months. Tom Robinson is facing trial for Mayella Ewell’s accusation against him. She claims Robinson assaulted her last year on November 21.
Tom Robinson, the defendant, was accused of raping and beating a local, white girl. Although Atticus is quite positive his client didn 't commit the disturbing crime, Tom 's race and history are not in his favor. Nevertheless, Atticus proceeds with the trial and skillfully uses persuasive techniques, such as diction, imagery, and tone, and rhetorical appeals to fight for what he presumes is morally right.
Tom Robinson is at the stand being questioned by Mr. Gilmer. Dill starts to feel sick because of how Mr. Gilmer is treating Tom. The narrator explains, “Well, Dill,after all he is just a negro” (Lee 266).This piece of evidence shows that prejudice is used as an antagonist in the novel by giving an unfair trial to Tom Robinson. The quote states “he is just a negro,” which shows that the trial is unfair just because of the towns racial views on people of color. The jury is all white and the case is black versus white. The jury is very biased towards the case. The prosecuting lawyers and defending lawyer are giving their closing statements. Atticus ends with a powerful speech that prove Tom is innocent and his views on race. The jury thinks over all the evidence for a long time and come to a verdict. The author of To Kill A Mockingbird quotes, “Guilty...Guilty...Guilty...Guilty…” (Lee 282). This quote shows the jury is very prejudice. There is more than enough evidence to prove Tom did not rape Mayella and that Bob Ewell beat her. Even though there is enough evidence to proves Tom’s innocence the jury’s verdict is guilty just because of their hate and their prejudice towards African Americans. Ultimately, prejudice is being used as an antagonist is very thoroughly shown throughout the entirety of the
“It ain’t right,” he muttered, all the way to the corner of the square where we found Atticus waiting. Atticus was standing under the street light looking as though nothing had happened:his vest was buttoned, his collar and tie were neatly in place, his watch-chain glistened, he was his impassive self again. “It ain’t right, Atticus,” said Jem “No son, it’s not right” (Lee 285). After the trial, Jem realizes is not always fair or just causes him to cry. His experience with this injustice has shown him that he has to grow up and realise what is going on around
After the trial was completed and Tom was convicted guilty, Jem was devastated due to the realization that the court which was supposed to be “the one place where a man ought to get a square deal… be he any color of the rainbow”(pg.220,paragraph 3) was corrupt with racial prejudice and segregation. Atticus explains to Jem that “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. 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.” (pg.220,paragraph 3) Atticus foreshadows to when he said that it was a sin to kill a mockingbird in this quote because he is saying that it is wrong to kill a mockingbird no matter who you are. This also helps the reader understand the racial segregation going on at the time. Lee once again reveals the dangers of being vulnerable and innocent by having Atticus say “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life.” It shows how often white men take advantage of blacks who are vulnerable individuals
Tom Robinson’s trial, and in fact his entire life, was badly affected by racism. It is truly a testament to the corruption of society when a person who has earned a bad reputation is held in higher esteem than a person who was born with it, as is the case with Bob Ewell and Tom Robinson. Even though Tom was obviously honest in his testament, the jury sided with Bob Ewell because he was white. They made this decision despite the fact that the Ewell family was widely known to be a worthless part of society. Jem, not being racially prejudiced, could not understand this mentality. As Atticus pointed out, “If you (Jem) had been on the jury, son, and eleven other boys like you, Tom would be a free man.”
Dear ladies and gentlemen of the jury I urge you to bring back a verdict of guilty. There are many reasons for you to find Tom Robinson guilty. Tom has the strength to hurt Mayella, he ran away very fast, and there is evidence to prove Tom had a crush on Mayella. There is no reason Mayella would want Tom and Tom felt sorry for her. This is a case of who to believe and I am going to convince you that you should believe Mayella and Bob Ewell and not trust Tom Robinson.