Tess Hoffmann

Mr. McConnell

English 9

January 29, 2017

To Kill a Mockingbird Trial Analysis

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. (Lee 295). These

words are spoken to Jem by his father, Atticus Finch, as they are discussing the outcome of the

trial of Tom Robinson. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Mr. Robinson, an African American

man, is on trial because he is accused of raping a white young lady named Mayella Ewell. Tom is

a church-going family man and is considered to be an honest, hard-working man. Four witnesses

are called to the stand, Mr. Heck Tate, Mr. Bob Ewell, Ms. Mayella Ewell and Mr. Tom

Robinson. Although there is no evidence provided against him in court, the jury finds Tom

Robinson guilty of raping Mayella Ewell. This conviction is based solely on the fact that Tom

Robinson is African American, the division of social class in the town of Maycomb and

Maycombs Universe of Obligation.

Even though there is no credible evidence provided by any of the witnesses to prove that

Tom is guilty, he is convicted of raping Mayella Ewell. The jury is white, so they did not believe

Toms story about what happened the night of the incident. Bob and Mayella lie about what

happened because Bob cannot accept that his daughter would try to seduce a black man. In his

closing remarks, Atticus states, She was white and she tempted a Negro. She did something that

in our society is unspeakable: she kissed a black man. (Lee 272). Because of the division of
social class, it is not acceptable for a black man to feel sorry for a white woman. In the cross

examination of Tom by Mr. Gilmer, Tom admits that he helped Mayella because he felt sorry for

her. Mr. Gilmer states You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her. (Lee 264). The author

continues to comment on this statement, The witness realized his mistake and shifted

uncomfortably in the chair. But the damage was done. Below us, no one liked Tom Robinsons

answer. (Lee 274). This passage supports the fact that even though the Ewells are considered

to be white trash, they are still a step above the Negro in social class and thus it is unacceptable

for a black man to pity a white woman. At the end of the trial, Atticus Finch delivers a very

moving closing argument, ending with In the name of God, do your duty. (Lee 275). The jury

then leaves to discuss their verdict. The jury is out for many hours, even though most of the

people in town feel that it should be a quick decision. This indicates that the jury is having

issues reaching a decision and some may believe that Tom Robinson is telling the truth.

However, the jury does convict Tom, because if they did not, they would be taking a black mans

word against a white womans word and this goes against the values and beliefs of their

community.

Based on the facts presented in the trial, my verdict is that Tom Robinson is innocent and

not guilty of the crime with which he is charged. Toms left arm is paralyzed due to a cotton gin

accident as a child. During the trial, Scout comments, "His left arm was fully twelve inches

shorter than his right, and hung dead at his side. It ended in a small shriveled hand and from as

far away as the balcony I could see that it was no use to him." (Lee 186). The fact that Tom's

left arm is useless is significant in proving that he is innocent. Mayella's injuries to the right side

of her face means that her attacker used his left hand. Also, Mr. Tate reported that Mayella also

had injuries on her arms and neck. her arms were bruised and she also showed me her neck.
There were definite finger marks on her gullet-(Lee 226). It would have been almost impossible

for Tom to be responsible for injuries such as these, injuries that would have required the use of

both hands. Atticus suggests that her father, Bob Ewell, is responsible for her injuries because he

is left-handed and has the full use of both of his hands. When Atticus questions Mayella and asks

her if her father beat her, she does not answer his question. Tom tries to be a good friend and a

gentleman to Mayella. He helps her out with whatever she needs and has never taken payment

from her. Tom stated during the trial, I knowed she didnt have no nickels to spare. (Lee

256). Tom is also honest about the fact that he ran away when he saw Bob Ewell because he

was scared. Tom stated, Mr. Finch, if you was a nigger like me youd be scared, too. (Lee 261).

He was careful in explaining that he would never hurt Mayella in any way. When asked why he

did not resist Mayellas advances, he stated, Mr. Finch, I tired. I tried to thout bein ugly to

her.I didnt want to push her or nothin. (Lee 260). Finally, Mayellas comments to Tom

Robinson indicate that her father may have raped her in the past. Mayella tells Tom that she

never kissed a grown man before an she might as well kiss a nigger. (Lee 260). Mayella goes

on to say what her papa do to her dont count. (Lee 260).

Maycombs Universe of Obligation did effect Tom Robinsons trial. Maycomb feels

obligated only to make things look fair legally, but socially, African Americans suffered.

Maycomb is required to provide a fair trial for Tom, with a jury and an attorney. However, the

jury is all white and made up of men who are racist. When Scout asks Calpurnia why Toms

wife, Helen, cant find work, she tells Scout, Folks arent anxious to have anything to do with

his family. (Lee 164). The towns obligation goes only as far as it must legally, but it does

nothing for Toms wife and family because it is not obligated to do so. Maycomb takes care of

their own, and their own includes the white residents of the town. They do not feel any
obligation to help the black community beyond what they are legally required to do. Because of

this sense of obligation only to the white citizens, Tom Robinson, or anyone in the black

community, cannot depend on the citizens of the town for any assistance. Thus, Tom, a crippled

man with a family, did not have the support of the community because they did not feel a sense

of obligation to him because of his race.

There are many factors that contributed to the conviction of Tom Robinson.

These include race, social class and Maycombs Universe of Obligation. Although Atticus Finch

does his best to ensure that Tom receives a fair trial, the ignorance and prejudice of the citizens

of Maycomb toward African Americans makes it impossible for Tom to be treated fairly. The

questioning of Tom and Mayella Ewell shows many inconsistencies and does not offer enough

credible evidence to convict Tom. Toms own physical limitation is perhaps the best piece of

evidence supporting his innocence. Bob Ewells rage at his daughters actions and his past

history of abuse and neglect of his family also raises much speculation regarding his guilt.

However, Tom is convicted of raping Mayella because he is a black man who is being accused of

an awful crime by a white woman. Also, despite the fact that the Ewells are considered to be

white trash and are not well respected in the town, they are still in a class above the black

citizens and thus the town feels obligated to support them over Tom Robinson.