How Is Tom Robinson's Identity In To Kill A Mockingbird

In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout and Jem Finch live in the small town known as Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. Over time, Scout learns about the town’s true identity. She and Jem are forced to work for Mrs. Dubose, an old woman who seems to hate children. Accompanying this, Scout and Jem are stuck fearing the lunatic who only comes out from his rickety old home at night, Boo Radley. Atticus Finch, Jem and Scout’s father, was appointed as a lawyer to help defend Tom Robinson, a struggling black man who was framed for abusing Mayella Ewell. Mayella Ewell is teenage girl who is actually abused by her drunk father, Bob Ewell. Along with these characters are Dolphus Raymond, the man who everybody believes is drunk but is really just hiding from judgement because he likes the presence of black people, and Dill, Jem and Scout’s friend who accompanies the two on their adventures.

Even with more than enough evidence to support Tom Robinson’s claim, the all-white jury declares Tom Robinson as guilty. The ruling explains to Scout and Jem that their town is not a perfect little place, but it’s full of prejudice and unjust beings. One night, while on the way home from school, Jem and Scout are attacked by a mysterious man who is actually Bob Ewell. From his house, Boo Radley witnesses the attempted murder and kills Bob Ewell with a kitchen knife. Atticus and the town’s sheriff, Heck Tate, decide to hide the fact that Boo Radley saved the children. They do this to keep people from trying to get into the shy man’s home and thank him. The two men believe that it would be a sin to expose Boo Radley to that many people, as he just wants to be left alone. Harper Lee effectively illustrates several themes in her