Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. Atticus begins by asking Tom to confirm that he has been arrested once before. Erica has taught college English writing and literature courses and has a master's degree in children's literature. The phrase "it's a sin to kill a mockingbird" refers to intentionally and pointlessly destroying something that does no harm. Mr. Gilmer asks Tom why he helps Mayella, and he explains that he feels bad for her. Cite a specific quote from the text to support your answer. Scout's matter-of-fact acceptance of Mr. Gilmer's attitude toward Tom indicates racism was deeply ingrained in society. Tom testifies that he always passed the Ewell house on the way to work and that Mayella often asked him to do chores for her. He often disappears for days at a time. The oldest child in her family, it falls to her to care for the younger children. Mayella attacked Tom and asked him to kiss her. Tom said he was scared that he would wind up in court, which is exactly what happened. Doing so would play right into the racist belief that all black men are violent rapists and a threat to white women, the belief on which Mr. Ewell is basing his entire case. When he got inside, there was nothing wrong with the door, and he noticed that the other children were gone. Eventually, she does say that Tom hit her in the face. In the following sentences, underline each adjective phrase and adverb phrase. 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. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Tom works for Mr. Link Deas most of the year, and knows of no way to get to work except passing the Ewell house. But both Mayella and Bob lied rather than admit that Mayella tried to kiss Tom. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Under questioning, Ewell admits that he can use either hand equally well, indicating that he might be the person who beat Mayella. 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. Although she is a mean, racist neighbor, Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose teaches the children a lesson in courage. "I wondered if anybody had ever called her 'ma'am,' or 'Miss Mayella' in her life; probably not, as she took offense to routine courtesy. When Mayella says that Tom hit her on the right side of her face, Atticus Finch has Tom stand to show that his injured left arm is useless. Mayella told him she had saved her money and sent them all to buy ice cream. However, she insists that he never lays a hand on her or beats her. He says he understands why Dill is upset. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% After all, their father is always kind and respectful, and they have always seen people react to him positively based on this reputation. Atticus pleads with Mayella to admit that there was no rape, that her father beat her. This is important for two reasons: Tom Robinson's left arm got stuck in a cotton gin when he was young, leaving it useless, and Mayella's father is indeed left-handed. -Graham S. Dill understands that its awful to treat someone rudely and in a racist way, no matter who the person in question is. What role does Calpurnia play in the family and in the novel? The family is so poor that they use strips of tire rubber as shoes on the rare occasions that the weather is cold enough to require shoes. Apparently, Jem and Dill did not find Mayella's testimony riveting and Jem proceeds to explain the finer points of the trial to Dill during the brief recess. She was supposed to chop up an old chiffarobe but she was not feeling very strong so she asked Tom to do it for her. Dill points out that Atticus had not treated witnesses poorly, which Scout says is different. This begins to show that in this sense, Tom is far more upstanding and respectable than Mr. Ewell is, something that Maycombs racist white population would likely insist is impossible given many in town believe that any white person, no matter how unsavory, is better than a black person. Sheriff Heck Tate has testified to Mayella Ewell's condition when he finds her. Why didn't they come running? In a larger symbolic sense, the dog, because it has rabies, is a dangerous threat to the community. From her testimony, the courtroom observers learn that her family lives in poverty, and she takes care of the house and her seven brothers and sisters. When Tom climbs up on a chair to reach the box, Mayella knocks him to the ground. Margaret has taught both college and high school English and has a master's degree in English from Mississippi State University. When Mayella reacts with indignation to Atticuss courteous words, however, Scout feels sorry for her too. What happens on Scout and Jems walk home from the harvest pageant? In this regard Scout, unlike Dill, has yet to learn to question what society has taught her about the placement of African Americans. What does Bob Ewell's behavior towards his own lawyer suggest about his personality? Tom's testimony is clear and concise; there is no fumbling around of facts or struggling with misrememberings. Tom's arm has been damaged in an accident and shows that he could not have struck Mayella on the right side of the face as she claims. He is a pillar of the community who is elected to the legislature every term unopposed. They have sat through the entire trial, and they know that Atticus has established Tom's. However, just as the court refuses to accept the undeniable implications of the evidence that Atticus presents, so too does it refuse to accept the implications of Deass validation of Toms character. Chapter 18 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee contains the testimony of Mayella Ewell. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Explain why Tom's testimony has the effect of making Scout feel sympathetic towards Mayella. Why does Atticus take Tom Robinsons case knowing that hell lose? In the following sections, the To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 19 summary is broken down into several sections: a summary of the previous chapter, the events as Tom Robinson takes the stand, his testimony, the cross examination, and the children's reactions. What does the rabid dog Atticus shoots symbolize? $24.99 What details about her home life are particularly sad? You can view our. Tom Robinson has been convicted for a previous crime. | 3 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. Then Atticus asks if she remembers if Tom hit her face, because in her previous answer she just claimed he choked her. In the first sentence of the novel, Scout says that Jem broke his arm. Mayella continues with her description of Tom choking and hitting her. He says that Tom is 25, married with three kids, and then states he has been in trouble with the law once before. What is evident once Tom Robinson stands up? Everyone in the courtroom notices that Tom's left arm is twelve inches shorter than his right, due to an accident in his youth when the arm got stuck a cotton gin. First, Mayella Ewell testifies. Study Resources. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. He says he was glad to help her free of charge because it seemed nobody else helped, and he knew the family did not have much money. He explains how she attacked him while he was trying to help her. She is hesitant to answer but nods affirmatively when Atticus asks about whether or not the . Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. But because of Boos limitations, his interactions must take a remote form. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Conway Junior High School. Latest answer posted December 18, 2020 at 11:09:54 AM. When he rises, it is apparent that his left arm hangs uselessly at his side. He values education and justice above all else, and he is open-hearted and open-minded. I need the description of him as of the end of chapter 11, when he's between 10 and 12 years old. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Dill tells Scout he doesn't care, that it's not right to treat anyone that way. The most obvious reason justice isnt served is because the jurys overwhelming racism prevents Tom from getting a fair trial. He says Mayella kissed him, saying she had never kissed a grown man and 'might as well kiss a nigger.' Mayella lived in a time when Class, race, and gender were a big controversy. She lies about Tom Robinson attacking her and even changes her testimony on the stand, but the sad life she leads makes her somewhat a sympathetic character. She is nineteen and a half years old. It is then when her father saw them, Tom says that Mr. Ewell yelled at Mayella, calling her a whore. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Scout observed that Mayella may have never been treated in such a respectful way before. In chapter 15 of To Kill a Mockingbird, why does the group of men come to talk to Atticus on his front porch? As the chapter closes, Atticus is about to call one more witness. Mr. Dolphus Raymond, who is also outside, overhears their conversation. The Ewell family receives assistance from the government, but Mayella's father typically uses this money to buy alcohol. Judge Taylor quiets them, and Tom must continue. Mayella had allegations against Tom Robinson. What does Mrs. Dubose teach Scout and Jem? When Scout expresses concern that Mr. Underwood, the newspaper reporter, has seen them sitting in the balcony, she is concerned that he will tell Atticus that they have attended the trial despite his instructions to stay home. What does Mr. Gilmer focus on when he cross-examines Tom? "In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, how dothe children react to Mayella's testimony?" Cul es la multinacional _______________ trabajas? Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. The rest of the novel is the background context for Jems broken arm. Bob Ewell could've let the whole thing drop, but he'd rather be responsible for an innocent man's death than risk having his family further diminished in the town's eyes. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. What is the physical description of Jem Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird? He won't tell Atticus, he'll just put it on the social side of the. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. She knew that he treated everyone with respect. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. Tom Robinson takes the stand. Her father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer who is representing Tom Robinson, a black man who has been accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Once Mayella claims that Tom struck her face, Atticus provides a visual demonstration of Mayella's deceit. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. During this questioning, Tom slips and says he 'felt right sorry for her.' The reader is spared much of Mr. Gilmers harsh cross-examination of Tom when Dills crying takes Scout out of the courtroom. Killing a mockingbird serves no purpose, and therefore is an act of unnecessary cruelty. 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. 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. Atticus asks whether Tom helped Mayella more than the once. In Chapter 11, Atticus shoots a mad (rabid) dog in the street. Tom says he just wants to help because he feels bad for her. Struggling with distance learning? He asks Tom to stand. 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