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Is Mayella Ewell Be Held Accountable For The Trial In To Kill A Mockingbird

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There is no justice in accusing a man of a crime he did not commit, especially when that man is innocent. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee explores themes surrounding the ideas of justice and stereotypes, through the trial of Mayella Ewell, who accuses Tom Robinson, a black man, of rape. A question commonly asked, is whether Mayella Ewell, a focal point of this novel should be held accountable for her actions. Mayella Ewell should be held accountable for her actions because she indirectly took a man’s life, committed her actions for self-preservation and abused her privileged status.

When Mayella Ewell accused Tom Robinson of rape, it leads to a series of repercussions that cost Tom Robinson his life, proving that she should …show more content…

Tom Robinson was helping Mayella Ewell because he is a good person, whose hasn’t caused anyone any problems. This is something mentioned throughout the novel, for example, Mr.Link Deas in the middle of the courtroom announcing that “ the boy worked for me eight years an’ I ain’t got a speck o’trouble outa him. Not a speck.” As well Scout comparing him to her own father saying “Tom Robinson’s manners were as good as Atticus’s”(page 260), who most would consider as a good person. His gentlemanly qualities are what Mayella Ewell noticed urging her to throw herself at him. She noticed how nice and respectfully this man was treating her and hugged him demanding for Tom to kiss her, as explained by Tom Robinson. Mayella Ewell tempted a black man, she did something that is considered shameful in Maycomb County. She accused Tom Robinson of rape because she wanted to maintain her reputation, and if it appears that he raped her she would receive more pity than condemnation. If she appears to have forced herself onto a black man she would be compared to Mr. Dolphus Raymond, someone who is considered deranged for sympathizing with black people and procreating mixed race children with minorities. Her wanting to maintain her reputation for self-preservation is why she should be held accountable for her actions, she’d rather have pity than be labeled “a

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