English- 4th period
September 5, 2013
Tom Robinson
Factor: Stereotype
Evidence: In To Kill a Mockingbird Tom Robinson was falsely accused of raping a white woman. Tom Robinson was defended by Atticus Finch, who was also white. There was a lot of evidence that Atticus produces that proved Tom Robinson did not commit the crime. Perhaps the most persuasive evidence was that, according to the sheriff's testimony, Mayella's bruises were on the right side of her face, which means she was most likely punched with a left hand. Tom Robinson's left arm is useless due to an old accident, whereas Mr. Ewell leads with his left. Unfortunately, the jury had decided that Tom Robinson was guilty well before the trial started because he was black.
Quotation: "How could this be so, I wondered, as I read Mr. Underwood’s editorial. Senseless killing—Tom had been given due process of law to the day of his death; he had been tried openly and convicted by twelve good men and true; my father had fought for him all the way. 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. TOM WAS A DEAD MAN THE MINUTE MAYELLA EWELL OPENED HER MOUTH AND SCREAMED”
Symbol: A Mockingbird represents this situation. The mockingbird symbolizes innocence. Tom Robinson was the mockingbird. He was innocent, but was found guilty and killed. The town believed he was guilty because he was black.
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