In the United States, we may say that social and economic discrimination no longer exists, however, racism and classism still apply in society today. An example of this is in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, when Atticus Finch suspects that Mayella Ewell’s injuries don't match up to the story she and her father Bob Ewell are telling, so Atticus asks Tom Robinson to catch a ball and he catches it with his right hand as opposed to Bob Ewell who is left-handed. In the scene, Lee uses characterization and dialogue that Mayella uses to convey the theme that racism and classism rely on power structures that serve to diminish the importance of other human lives. This is important to the novel because it shows how racism affects the town of Maycomb. They knew Bob Ewell hit his daughter, but because Tom Robinson was a black man, he fell in the lowest class in their society. …show more content…
Gilmore uses degrading language to dehumanize and diminish his credibility by calling Tom “boy”. This highlights the racism of the legal system in Maycomb and illustrates how deeply racism is embedded into the society that even in the face of clear innocence a black man's word is devalued In the courtroom scene of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Tom Robinson is asked whether he was scared of arrest or facing up to what he did. His response that he'd have to face up to what he didn't do emphasizes his honesty and integrity at this moment and shows Tom's unfortunate place in society ruined by racial prejudice Tom’s statement reflects his clear and painful reality that he is being punished for a crime he did not commit, this portrayal not only evokes sympathy but also highlights the extensive injustice faced by black individuals in the American South during this period. Tom's quiet dignity in the face of false accusations contrasts with the prejudice-fueled certainty of his accusers, making his character a powerful symbol of innocence wronged by societal corruption. In conclusion, the courtroom