Tom Robinson's Trial

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In the book “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, Tom Robinson’s trial starkly exposes people being racist towards him. This is so tragic because in the 1960's being racist was so spread amongst people.The decision of the trial ended up being not fair because Tom was African-American. Also, Mayella and her shiftless father, Bob Ewell, were keeping on lying. The family is known to be troubled and disliked by townspeople. Despite this, Atticus's defense of Tom is unpopular in the white community, and Scout and Jem find themselves taunted at school due to their father's defense of a black man. Tom Robinson is so significant for this story because he represents African Americans being a part of racism during that year and during the trial Mayella defends herself that Tom has …show more content…

While trying to convince the judge that the person who punched Mayella is left-handed, Atticus makes Mr. Ewell write his name on the paper and proves that he is left-handed. "You're left-handed, Mr. Ewell'' (Lee 185). Tom could not possibly be the left-handed assailant who struck Mayella on the right side of her face. Atticus further suggests that it was Bob, Mayella's father, who beat her, and that, in fact, no rape occurred. So Atticus proves that Tom’s left hand is injured and could not possibly injure her, however Mayella’s dad is left handed. Tom is also very kind hearted to hurt any woman as he states "I felt sorry for her, she seemed to try more'n the rest of 'em..." (Lee 211). Despite facing racial prejudice as a Black man, consistently demonstrates kindness and respect towards women. His respectful behavior is evidence of his interactions, particularly with Mayella Ewell, whom he helps without expecting anything in return. This shows his inherent decency and challenges the racist stereotypes imposed upon him. So looking at Tom Robinson’s actions we can connect it to a mockingbird because Tom doesn't harm anything, just like the

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