Tom Robinson Trial Essay

The trial of Tom Robinson shows just how ignorant the general population of Maycomb is. Atticus, Tom’s lawyer bombards the courtroom with obvious evidence against Bob and Mayella Ewell’s case and Tom is still charged guilty. It’s really important because it shows that even if there’s an obvious right and wrong, people will still follow the wrong as it’s easier not to go against the grain. “Then Mr. Underwood's meaning became clear: Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men's hearts Atticus had no case.” (245). This says that Atticus and Tom had no chance of winning from the beginning, that the men and women in the courtroom knew in their hearts that there wasn’t enough proof in the world to charge a black man innocent in a case like this. “Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed.” The case had been closed as soon as Tom was lured in by Mayella because everyone is aware that everyone else isn’t about to take a generational step so neither are they.

It’s Scout’s first first day of school and her teacher is a new one at the school. One of Bob Ewell’s kids gives her trouble, and we learn that it’s almost a tradition for the Ewell children to only participate in the first day of school and then leave for the rest of the year. This is the first scene we see the Ewell’s laziness in the book. ““He’s one of the Ewells, ma’am,” and I wondered if this explanation would be as unsuccessful as my attempt. But Miss Caroline seemed willing to listen. “Whole school’s full of ‘em. They come first day every year and then leave.””(27) This quote shows what an everyday thing it is that the Ewells are just absent. They expect this teacher, who is from another part of the state, to already have an idea of who the Ewells were since it’s such a basic thought; “Oh, a kid’s absent? Never mind, he’s just one of the Ewell