The 1930s was a time of depression and prejudice. The stock market plummeted and a majority of people lost their jobs. For this reason, men predominantly became drunks and abusive. African Americans were treated as second class citizens and their words did not mean as much as a caucasian 's words. Anyone who stood up for, or defended an African American was considered a “negro lover”, and also brought shame to his or her family. Usually the truth became distorted and was in favor of whites over blacks. In “To Kill a Mockingbird”, the truth versus reality is distorted through three main themes, the three ways are, Tom Robinson being accused of rape, Tom Robinson feeling bad for Mayella Ewell, and Tom Robinson being convicted of the rape of Mayella Ewell. In “To Kill a Mockingbird” a black hardworking man named Tom Robinson, is accused of raping a white woman named Mayella Ewell. The truth of this matter is Tom Robinson, is Mayella threw herself at Tom. Mayella was a lonely woman whose father abused her. She wanted to have intimacy with Tom Robinson, which “brings shame to her family”. When her father finds …show more content…
The reality is Tom Robinson always helps Mayella with work around the house such as, chopping wood for Mayella, because he feel sorry for her. Mayella was a nine-teen year old women with no friends and several younger siblings. When questioned why he always helped Mayella Tom Robinson answered, “Yes, suh. I felt bad for her, she seemed to try more’n the rest of them… I says I was scared.”[3] This quote concludes, Tom Robinson only helped Mayella out because he felft sorry for her. The jury is in shock when they hear that statement, and Tom quickly tried to finesse the rest of his remarks after