Have you ever lied knowing that it would end in your favor? One of the main issues in society today is how people lie about their situation and/or the ferocity to their advantage.
In chapter eighteen, a trial in Maycomb took place following the accusations Mayella Ewell made against Tom Robinson. She was beaten, choked, raped, and spoken to with profanities by Tom… allegedly. Most people didn’t have an issue when believing Mayella as being a part of a minority group put Tom Robinson at an immediate disadvantage for defending himself in this case… but Atticus Finch, one of Maycomb's trial attorneys, was determined to prove Tom innocent.
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a prime example of lying to your advantage which is demonstrated
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Even though this is a matter with more severity, Mayella still thinks that it’s appropriate to lie.
After being asked many questions, Mayella comes up with a mostly solid story of what had happened to her involving Tom Robinson that day.
“‘No, I don't recollect if he hit me. I mean yes I do, he hit me.’ ‘Was your last sentence your answer?’ ‘Huh? Yes, he hit—I just don’t remember, I just don’t remember… it all happened so quickly.” As seen in this quote, it is obvious that Mayella is not confident in her idea of what had happened that day. There is a clear motive to why she may be lying though… As if Mayella said that Tom Robinson assaulted her, she would get him arrested. Not only does Mayella want Tom arrested, but all of Maycomb thinks that it would be “beneficial” for him to be. As human beings in society, we automatically think to lie when we know there will be a positive
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Once Atticus fully understands what he has been told by Mayella about what happened the day of the crime, he does his job as a lawyer and strongly defends Tom Robinson. He accuses Mayella of lying, knowing that she was only doing it to get what she and Maycomb wanted.
“‘Tom, stand up. Let Miss Mayella have a good long look at you. Is this the man, Miss Mayella?’... He looked oddly off balance, but it was not from the way he was standing. His left arm was fully twelve inches shorter than his right, and hung dead at his side. It ended in a small shriveled hand, and from as far away from the balcony I could see that it was no use to him.’”
It is now revealed that Tom Robinson was innocent. The others in the courtroom begin to witness Mayella's wrath as she realizes she’s been caught being untruthful. Not only did she not get her desired way, but she was probably going to face further consequences from the law after lying in court Atticus finally knows the full truth about what happened, so decides to expose Mayella of her lies and show everyone that Tom is