Scout also notices that Mayella acts especially nervous on the stand, first twisting a handkerchief into a "sweaty rope" and then trying to get her story straight: Mayella was silent. When the jury convicts Tom Robinson of rape despite the absence of physical evidence and despite Atticuss compelling defense, the jury is guilty of the same unnecessary cruelty. As Jem and Scout walk home that night, two figures emerge from the shadows, each with their own intentions. Scout pitied Mayella. Whydoes Atticus accept the job to defend Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee? The premise of Mayella's testimony is that she was on the porch and asked Tom Robinson to break up a Chiffarobe when he attacked her. His left arm was mangled and useless since he got it caught in a cotton gin when he was a child. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. Why would it have "brought him no pleasure"? A+ Student Essay: Boo Radley's Role in Scout and Jem's Lives and Development, Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird Background. He explains that on many occasions Mayella has asked him for help with her chores, and he always helps her without asking for payment. He pleads with Mayella, asking her to tell the truth: that Tom never raped her, and that it was her father who hit her. Tom answers Mayella would often have 'some little something for me to do.' The children's reactions to heck tate's testimony scout found out that it wasboring, and jem was happy thinking that the Eyes-witness weren't gonna be able to back up their testimonies. 20% This episode serves two important purposes in the novel. When Tom climbed on a chair, she grabbed his legs, scaring him so much that he jumped down. "His left arm was fully twelve inches shorter than his right, and hung dead at his side. Dill insists that does not matter, and that it is not right for anyone to be treated that way. When Mayella takes the stand, before she can begin her testimony, she bursts into tears. They notice that she is incredibly nervous and that she is behaving and responding somewhat erratically. While he was getting the box, Mayella knocked Tom to the floor and asked him to kiss her. She and Atticus agree that Jem and Scout may need round-the-clock supervision during the public spectacle, and she believes that the children need more exposure to the propriety and traditions of their upstanding family. "That's okay. Scout knew her father well. Dill explains that he is upset over how Mr. Gilmer is treating Tom. The gifts also represent one of the ways that Boo tries to engage with the world around him without giving up the secrecy and privacy that he requires. Additionally, accepting that Mayella is human is and important and brave thought process for Scout, as it requires her to be empathetic to her enemy. When Mr. Deas stands up for Tom, it shows Scout that theres another person in town whos not racist and whos willing to courageously stand up for whats right, even if he knows hell get thrown out. He has served as a social studies teacher and has created content for Ohio's Historical Society. Atticus asks whether Tom helped Mayella more than the once. A+ Student Essay: Boo Radley's Role in Scout and Jem's Lives and Development, Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird Background. Mr. Gilmer reviews Mayellas testimony, accusing Tom of lying about everything. In To Kill a Mockingbird , author Harper Lee uses memorable characters to explore Civil Rights and racism in the segregated southern United . Dill's response, however, reflects the belief people should be treated equally regardless of race. | 3 Dill and Jem yawned when Mayella finished testifying. Tom shows here that hes a kind and empathetic individual, and that he recognized Mayellas humanity and sought to respect it by helping her. What happens on Scout and Jems walk home from the harvest pageant? Why no one called a doctor and whether or not Mr. Ewell is left- or right-handed. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Mayella's testimony adds background to the case. Throughout Tom's testimony, Atticus gave many obvious evidences as to why Tom Robinson would not be able to rape Mayella Ewell such as how Tom took "the oath with the only good hand he possesses--his . Erica has taught college English writing and literature courses and has a master's degree in children's literature. "She was even lonelier than Boo RadleyWhen Atticus asked had she any friends, she seemed not to know what he meantShe was sad..". Before the incident with the dog, Scout and Jem saw their father as old, reserved, and not particularly powerful. Dill is still a child, and he responds to wickedness with tears, much as the reader responds to Mr. Gilmers unabashed prejudice with disgust. Why is taking the oath at the beginning of his testimony difficult for Tom? Mayella lives a harsh life of poverty with no means of escape. The book tells the story of Scout Finch, a young girl who lives in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. Scout does not understand why Dill is upset because 'after all, he's just a Negro.'. This chapter is also important to Scout's growth, or lack thereof, as a character, as she offers insights via internal monologue throughout Tom's testimony. The court rests for ten minutes, but no one leaves the courthouse, http://www.gradesaver.com/to-kill-a-mockingbird/study-guide/section3/. As Jem reads aloud to her every day for a montha punishment for destroying her camellia bushes after she harshly criticizes Atticusshe weans herself from her morphine addiction by refusing her medicine for longer and longer each day. This is a major turning point for Scout, as she begins to understand the horrible and lonely situation that both Mayella and Tom are in. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. The judge tells Atticus to call the witness. Free trial is available to new customers only. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. In chapter 18, Mayella Ewell takes the witness stand, where she proceeds to lie about being assaulted and raped by Tom Robinson. Why does Mayella Ewell lie on the witness stand? The editor of the local newspaper feels angry because Tom was a cripple and should not have been shot. He has mixed-race children and lives among the African American community as one of them. She's not like Mr. Raymond, who can spend time with black people because he's wealthy. In each of the following sentences, the verb agrees with its subject. "His left arm was fully twelve inches shorter than his right, and hung dead at his side." In addition, she knows that her father would react violently to such an admission. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." When he moved to leave, she asked him to get a box from on top a large chiffarobe. She then asked Tom to kiss her, explaining that no one has kissed her before except for her father, which she says doesn't count. He then asks her if she has ever asked Tom for help before, and she gives a non-answer. Under questioning, Ewell admits that he can use either hand equally well, indicating that he might be the person who beat Mayella. Complete your free account to request a guide. Free trial is available to new customers only. Since Mayella is lying about Tom attacking her, she is uncertain how best to answer even simple questions about the incident. Write P if the subject and verb are plural. Set in the Great Depression during the 1930s, To Killing a Mockingbird focuses on Scout's. Summarize Tom's testimony. I need the description of him as of the end of chapter 11, when he's between 10 and 12 years old. "Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." She says that she called Tom Robinson inside the fence that evening and offered him a nickel to break up a dresser for her, and that once he got inside the house he grabbed her and took advantage of her. At that point, Mr. Ewell appeared at the window and started shouting at Mayella. March 1, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 As Atticus continues his cross-examination, Mayella begins to contradict her testimony and it becomes evident that she is lying. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Another reason the jury finds Tom guilty is because both Mayella Ewell and her father, Bob, both perjured themselves on the stand. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! When Atticus is polite to her, she takes offense because she believes he is mocking her. What was the children's reaction to Heck Tate's testimony? Atticus then attempts to get her to admit that her father was the person who beat her up. You'll also receive an email with the link. Scout again tries to excuse Mr. Gilmer of his racist attitude by saying that it's just Mr. Gilmer's way. Class, race and gender were an advantage for her because of the trial with Tom Robinson. Contrary to Mayella's testimony, Tom recalls she asked him to break down a chiffarobe 'way last spring, way over a year ago,' not November. In the following sentences, underline each adjective phrase and adverb phrase. Mayella told him she had saved her money and sent them all to buy ice cream. What happens on Scout and Jems walk home from the harvest pageant? Why does Aunt Alexandra move into the Finch household? Why does Dolphus Raymond hide Coca-Cola in a brown paper bag? She is nineteen and a half years old. She has been beaten, though not badly enough to need a doctor. What does the rabid dog Atticus shoots symbolize? All rights reserved. He says that Mayella had invited Tom inside many times in the past to help her with chores and odd jobs. Tom Robinson has been convicted for a previous crime. The sheriff also testifies that her injuries were on her right side. But, as Atticuss awareness of his defeat as a foregone conclusion suggests, Lee was not interested in the believability of the trial. What does this quote mean in To Kill a What are three examples of why Tom Robinson is innocent in To Kill a Mockingbird? What is an example of one of those statements? When she dies a month later, Atticus tells Jem that she was the bravest person [he] ever knew. The whole episode teaches Jem and Scout that people are not always what they appear to be and that even despicable people can have heroic qualities. Atticus questions Mayella, but first asks her some background questions to show the jury what kind of family she comes from. What is significant about this detail? As they walk, Scout and Dill encounter Mr. Dolphus Raymond, the rich white man with the Black mistress and mixed-race children. for a customized plan. Get free homework help on Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird: book summary, chapter summary and analysis, quotes, essays, and character analysis courtesy of CliffsNotes. for a customized plan. She also recognizes how someone like Mr. Raymond can get away with breaking social codes simply because hes white and wealthy, whereas Toms very livelihood is in danger for allegedly doing the same as a black man. In the recess that follows, Mr. Underwood notices the children up in the balcony, but Jem tells Scout that the newspaper editor wont tell Atticus about their being therealthough he might include it in the social section of the newspaper. Mayella then closed the door with him inside. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Jem breaks his arm in the struggle. Mayella lived in a time when Class, race, and gender were a big controversy. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. His story is the true version of events: because of both Toms obviously truthful nature and Atticuss brilliant and morally scathing questioning of the Ewells, the story leaves no room for doubt. Tom says he was afraid of ending up in court, to which the lawyer asks him why he would be afraid of that if he was innocent like he claims. Tom said he was scared that he would wind up in court, which is exactly what happened. At the end of the chapter, she has yet to overcome the societal prejudice that has been taught to her when she says "he's just a negro after all" when talking to Dill about the difference between how Tom is being treated by Mr. Gilmer in comparison to how Atticus treated May. She testifies that she offered to pay Tom Robinson a nickel if he would break an old chiffarobe apart. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. Tom tried to run away, but she was standing between him and the door. Tom was unlikely to tell anyone of what had happened with Mayella, recognizing that his safety was at stake. When she tells Atticus that she screamed, he asks where the children were. When Atticus began questioning Mayella, he treated her with politeness. (one code per order). Though Tom is the symbolic mockingbird at the heart of the novel, he is not the only character who fits that description. Mr. Gilmer asks Tom why he helps Mayella, and he explains that he feels bad for her. (including. The grim facts of Mayella Ewell's life emerge in her testimony and in Jem's observations of her. Tom had to serve time because he couldn't afford to pay the fine, whereas the other man could. He asks Tom if he is strong enough to choke a woman, and Tom answers that he supposes so. Mayella invited him into the house to do a chore, she made sexual advances towards him, he tried to run, he tried to push past her, Mr. Ewell showed up and said, "you ******** *****, I'll kill ya." What does this suggest about the way she is used to being treated? Download the entire To Kill a Mockingbird study guide as a printable PDF! Judge Taylor quiets them, and Tom must continue. He says that Tom is 25, married with three kids, and then states he has been in trouble with the law once before. In To Kill a Mockingbird, the children react to Mayella's testimony with pity for her ignorance, her fear, and for what is revealed about the rough, abusive nature of her life at home. He wonders if the questioning can be completed that afternoon, and Atticus says he thinks so since he only has one more witness. What does the rabid dog Atticus shoots symbolize? Tom must admit he might be strong enough to choke a woman. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. LitCharts Teacher Editions. The phrase "it's a sin to kill a mockingbird" refers to intentionally and pointlessly destroying something that does no harm. | He asks Tom to stand. Later in the book, in Chapter 22, Miss Maudie tells Jem about Tom Robinsons trial, I simply want to tell you that there are some men in this world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Atticus asks whether or not a doctor had been called for the rape victim, and he also asked about the specific location of her injuries. He insists that was the only furniture disturbed when he left. Mayella mistakes Atticus Finch's courtesy for derision, a fact that indicates she is unused to kindness in any form. When Atticus calls Mayella "ma'am," she accuses him of making fun of her. Mayella Ewell is pitiable, and her miserable existence almost allows her to join the novel's parade of innocent victimsshe, too, is a kind of mockingbird, injured beyond repair by the . Judge Taylor furiously expels Deas from the courtroom for interrupting. Although Mayella is nineteen, her lack of education and her evident fear of the proceedings make her seem much younger than this to Scout and Jem, who understands what is going on much more clearly than Mayella does. Mayella was offended by the polite words Atticus used. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. 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