Mayella Violet Ewell Harper Lee once said, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” Mayella Ewell is a lonely abused girl whose family has let her down and left her abandoned. Her symbol, color representation, character traits Taking a closer look at her reveals the true character that she is. She is a confused and blinded girl. The Nazi soldier followed their leaders blindly to complete whatever task was given to them. Like the soldier, Mayella does what her dad tells her without questioning right from wrong in the trial of Tom Robinson. In chapters sixteen through nineteen, she protects her father and lies under oath to win the case …show more content…
This is where Harper Lee tells us about what kind of person Mayella really is. Her character is presented as an ignorant girl that does what her father tells her to do. Atticus says, “ She is a victim of cruel poverty and ignorance, but I cannot pity her…” She plays a major role in Tom Robinson’s life as well as his family’s life. Her lies cost Tom his life and ruins his family’s chance for happiness. In the story Calpurnia takes Jem and Scout to the African American church. The people at the church are taking a collection of money to help Tom Robinson’s family get by without him. Mayella’s dishonesty has a ripple effect and destroys the lives of those around her. Mayella Violet Ewell is a victim of her sad life and her family’s poverty. Her symbol, color, character traits, and plot line connection show this in many ways. Her father’s abuse keeps her in fear and ignorance about right and wrong. The story leaves the reader wondering if they should pity Mayella or feel angry toward her for not telling the truth. Every story has many different perspectives and Mayella’s character shows us that things are not always as we think they