Tom Robinson Trial

758 Words2 Pages

The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, revolves around the theme of racial discrimination. The book portrays the inequalities that exist between whites and blacks in Maycomb County during the 1930s. The stereotype of the black man plays a large role in how each member of the community is treated in Maycomb. This essay will demonstrate how the trial and conviction of Tom Robinson, a Negro man, is important in order to understand the novel as a whole.

The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is primarily based around the trial and conviction of Tom Robinson. Tom is a Negro man, accused of beating and raping Mayella Ewell, a white lower-class young woman. The evidence provided throughout the trial, proves Toms innocence clearly. However, …show more content…

Atticus Finch, a respectful and courageous man, is one of the only members of Maycomb who has the decency to defend Tom. Atticus has brought his children, Scout and Jem up on morals such as respect and equality, unlike many other residence of Maycomb. He believes every man and woman deserves equal rights, and this is, therefore, the reason why he took on the case of Tom Robinson. Atticus is a respected citizen of Maycomb County, yet has many hateful terms thrown at him due to his stance on Tom’s case. One of the terms frequently used throughout the book towards him is ‘Nigger-lover’. “I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody... I'm hard put, sometimes—baby, it's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you.” (Chapter 11, pg 107-109) Despite the remarks he receives, and the words that are spoken about him, Atticus remains loyal to Tom, not only throughout his trial, but also after Tom has been convicted. Atticus fights as hard as he possibly can to ensure that Tom Robinson is a free man and not labelled to a crime he hasn’t committed, and takes in his stride what the people of Maycomb may think of

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