In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, we are told of the trial of Tom Robinson from the perspective of the main character, Scout. Scout lived in Maycomb County with her brother, Jem, and her father, Atticus. Tom Robinson went to trial against the Ewell family, being accused for allegedly raping Mayella Ewell, and Atticus is appointed by Judge Taylor to defend him during the trial. The Ewell family were well known throughout Maycomb County, they lived in a small, secluded junkyard and were poor. To see whether Tom Robinson is guilty of the alleged rape of Mayella Ewell, his trial consists of the testimonies from Sheriff Tate, Bob and Mayella Ewell, and Tom Robinson himself, as well as Atticus’s closing argument. The trial began with Sheriff Tate recounting the events of the assault, explaining how Bob Ewell called him to catch the colored man that raped Mayella. …show more content…
When Atticus asks Tate questions, the first question he asks is why did they not call for a doctor? Atticus repeatedly asked questions about her injuries, and he confirmed that she had a black eye on the right side of her face, which made it more likely that a left-handed person had hit her, and had finger marks around her entire neck. After Atticus finished his questioning with Sheriff Tate, Bob Ewell was then called to the stand. Bob explained how he first heard Mayella's screams while in the woods, and when he ran to the house he explained how he saw Tom Robinson on top of Mayella. By the time he reached inside the house, Tom had already run out the door. When Atticus had his turn to ask Bob questions again, his first question was the same,