In
her testimony, there are nothing but inconsistencies.
At the beginning, H. Lee sets her up to be a vulnerable
character,
being taken advantage of by any passing person. As it progresses
though, it becomes more obvious that her true role is much worse. She
knows that she is lying, and that the injuries were not caused by Tom
Robinson. As the case continues, and Atticus presents statement after
statement, she changes her story subtly. It is not enough to get the
notice of the judge, but Atticus notices it. Even if people noticed,
due to the racial prejudice of the case they will still consider her
the victim, not T. Robinson. Harper Lee is providing Scout with what
may be her first example of domestic violence. Here is a key learning
point, if Scout discovers that Robert Ewell was the one who abused
her, then she will learn more about domestic violence. Mayella
herself states that her father was abusive in drunken rages, and this
is terrible thing for an 8 year old to have to learn: 'He does
tollable, 'cept when..."Except when he's drinking?" asked
Atticus so gently that Mayella nodded.' As this proves, Harper Lee is
setting the Ewell family up as a classic case of domestic violence
with one twist. All of the Ewells are trying to blame this on Tom
Robinson, with no reason yet known. As Scout matures, she will
probably find out the reason, as that is a key learning point that H.
Lee will likely put in. H. Lee made you really shift your opinion,
from pity to absolute disgust, and will probably have Scout go the
same way.
Why did R. Ewell try to frame Tom Robinson? Does the Sheriff know what is going on? What will the Ewells try to do to stop Atticus?
I agree that Tom Robinson did not do the crime and is used to cover up domestic violence. Mr. Ewell frames Robinson, because he knows that no matter how poor he is- Maycomb will only believe the "white side" of the story. Through out Mayella's testimony her story seems hard to believe, especially when Atticus shows her separation from the family and depression from her fathers actions. The Ewells have always been a great amount of trouble to the community, especially in school which was seen in Scout's classroom. They don't follow the "Maycomb Way" and they do so with lack of kindness and care for others. Mr. Ewell will probably show his side of violence once he does realize the impressive streak Atticus has made onto the story.
ReplyDeleteDuring Tom Robinson's testimony, what does he tell about Mayella? How does that effect the story? Also, when Tom Robinson fails to put both his hands on the bible (Due to past injury) what does that symbolize?
I believe that Mr. Ewell framed framed Tom Robinson, because he knew that one, Mr. Robinson always walked by their house. Two, was friends with his daughter. And three, because he was black and because he was friendly with his daughter. Also, there will be no justice served in Tom Robinson's case because he is black, poor, and has no one that believes him except, Atticus, and Mr. Link Deas. Mr. Deas says, "I just want the whole lot of you to know one thing right now. That boy's worked for me for eight years an' I aint' had a speck of trouble outta him. Not a speck."( P. 261) The Ewells have always been the average, gross, poor, and shady people of Maycomb, and they don't exactly respect other people either. They only come to the first day of school, Mr. Ewell drinks constantly, occasionally gambles, and is always causing trouble. Mr. Ewell Must have set up Mr. Robinson.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it so hard for Tom Robinson to repeat what Mr. Ewell said to him, if Mr. Ewell had called him such things before? Dill is very upset about they way Tom Robinson was being treated. What does this Show about Dill, and possibly his maturing?
Tom Robinson is shown as a polite character. Though he is looked down upon by Maycomb because of his skin color, and the crime he is accused of, it is obvious that he is not willing to repeat foul words. He was hesitant because the words Mr. Ewell said would have scarred the children within the room at the time. Though Mr. Ewell might have said foul words to him before, Robinson was not willing to share what he said, and instead chose to shoulder it by himself. Either way, the court would have thought it ridiculous that a black man was accusing a white man of something horrible, no matter how disreputable the white man is.
DeleteDill is still very innocent, and wasn't affected by the general views of Maycomb. He didn't fully understand why Tom Robinson was treated with so much more hostility than the Ewells, and viewed it as "unfair." Ever Dill, who was a young boy, could see the hatred Mr. Gilmer held for Tom Robinson.
Dill, just like Scout, is maturing. Harper Lee uses Dill's new-found maturity to further push the theme of Scout's coming of age. Dill was the symbol of carefree summer adventure. Suddenly he is emotional and more grown up, yet another marker in the end of Scout's childhood. With no one left to engage her in childish games, Scout must rise to the maturity level of her companions Jem and Dill. Although she is younger, she is being forced to grow up quickly because of the events around her. Through the trial and Dill's breakdown, Harper Lee is showing not only that he has strong emotions, but also that Scout's world is changing quickly.
ReplyDeleteWill Scout stay strong and mature, or will she suffer a breakdown like Jem at Ms. Dubose's garden or Dill outside the trial? Is Dill's maturity going to continue to affect Scout? How do you think their friendship will develop?
Scout and Dill have a unique relationship. They like to be together all the time and both enjoy having fun. Now that Dill is struggling emotionally, Scout will have to step up with her maturity and be an even better friend than ever to Dill. The act of scout stepping up as a friend will help the relationship develop by making Dill want to act the same towards Scout if she ever is struggling the same way he is.
ReplyDeleteFrom the evidence presented towards the end of the chapter, it is pretty clear to the reader that Tom Robinson is innocent. Between the inconsistencies in Mayella's testimonies and Tom Robinson's truthful and respectful responses, there is little doubt that Mayella's attacker is not the man who is being accused on trial. I believe that the sheriff (and many people of Maycomb) knows this as well, but is not going to address it because he knows theres no point of trying to prove Tom Robinson innocent because he's black. With this, Harper Lee is trying to show how extreme the racism is in this book because people believe the Ewells, who are a non-respected dump family, over Tom Robinson, who is a perfectly respectable polite man, just because of difference in race.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think Mayella is trying to cover up her dad's wrong doings?
Will anyone besides Atticus finally try to prove Tom Robinson's innocence?