My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Previous testimony has shown that Bob Ewell is ambidextrous, and the courtroom has seen that Tom could not strike her on the right side given the condition of his left arm. Dill tells Scout he doesn't care, that it's not right to treat anyone that way. For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! Atticus begins by asking Tom to confirm that he has been arrested once before. Atticus insists Tom share what Bob said. After calming down, Mayella begins her story. He begins to badger the witness, asking about his motives for always helping Mayella with her chores, until Tom declares that he felt sorry for her. What is the significance of the gifts Boo Radley leaves in the knothole? Under questioning, Ewell admits that he can use either hand equally well, indicating that he might be the person who beat Mayella. Reluctantly, Tom remembers Bob told Mayella 'you goddamn whore, I'll kill ya.' She holds a Mississippi AA Educator License. In previous chapters of To Kill a Mockingbird, we heard testimony that Mayella Ewell had been beaten. When he reached for it, she grabbed him from behind. He says to Tom that he was "mighty polite to do all that chopping and hauling for [Mayella]" and wonders why Tom was "so anxious to do that woman's chores?". He addressed her as he would any lady. Tom was unlikely to tell anyone of what had happened with Mayella, recognizing that his safety was at stake. The story of a broken arm serves as a narrative device, bookending the entire novel with Scouts telling of the story. He visits Maycomb every summer, and as it becomes clearer that his own family is erratic and insecure, readers understand that the Finches and his Aunt Stephanie are, in fact, his true family. A number of critics have objected that the facts of the case are crafted to beno pun intendedtoo black and white. When Mayella says that Tom hit her on the right side of her face, Atticus Finch has Tom stand to show that his injured left arm is useless. Heck Tate also specifically describes Boo Radley as a mockingbird, in that he is a harmless person who is the victim of pointless cruelty. She admits to having no friends. "His left arm was fully twelve inches shorter than his right, and hung dead at his side. As Chapter 18 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee opens, Tom Robinson's trial is in progress. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% She helps Atticus comfort Toms wife, Helen, and she knows how to read and write, which is uncommon in her community. His left arm was mangled and useless since he got it caught in a cotton gin when he was a child. He tells her that he is bothered by how hateful Mr. Gilmer is acting towards Tom. TKAM Trial Evidence Chart: Chapters 17-19 Witness Testimony Children's Reaction My Reaction Heck. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Do not include articles. At this point, Dill is crying loudly and Scout must take him outside. Dill's response, however, reflects the belief people should be treated equally regardless of race. Although she is a mean, racist neighbor, Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose teaches the children a lesson in courage. While in the house retrieving the nickel, she claimed Tom entered the house and jumped on her. She cannot admit that she is lonely and attracted to a Black man, so she allows Tom Robinson to stand trial for a crime that he did not commit. Mayella has never experienced polite conversation before, so she believes that he is insulting and mocking her. I mean yes I do, he hit me." M.A. All rights reserved. She is making up her testimony as she goes along. When the jury convicts Tom Robinson of rape despite the . Analysis: Chapters 18-19. Link Deas, Toms white employer, stands up and declares that in eight years of work, he has never had any trouble from Tom. He pleads with Mayella, asking her to tell the truth: that Tom never raped her, and that it was her father who hit her. As the chapter closes, Atticus is about to call one more witness. Why does Atticus take Tom Robinsons case knowing that hell lose? While Mr. Gilmer, the prosecuting attorney, makes his way to the stand, Mr. Link Deas announces he never had any trouble from Tom in the eight years he has been working for him. "The Ewell's yard looked like the playhouse of an insane child:" "The Negroes' front yardslooked neat and snug with pale blue smoke rising from the chimneys". The trial takes place in the county courthouse in Maycomb, Alabama, and is in the small town's spotlight, so both the town and the courthouse are packed with spectators. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Historical Context Essay: The Scottsboro Boys Trials, Literary Context Essay: To Kill a Mockingbird & The Southern Gothic Tradition. Atticus Finch a widowed father and respected lawyer, defends a black man named Tom Robinson against fabricated rape. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Cite a specific quote from the text to support your answer. But because of Boos limitations, his interactions must take a remote form. Killing a mockingbird serves no purpose, and therefore is an act of unnecessary cruelty. Although Mayella and her father, Bob, accused Tom Robinson, Atticus indicated that Mayella's injuries could only have been inflicted by a left-handed man. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." Mayella declares that her father has never harmed her. for a group? He knows that African Americans are not treated justly by law during this time. The sheriff also testifies that her injuries were on her right side. Scout also notices that Mayella acts especially nervous on the stand, first twisting a handkerchief into a "sweaty rope" and then trying to get her story straight: Mayella was silent. There are a number of significant quotations in Chapter 18, To Kill a Mockingbird. Then when Tom was on the chair, she grabbed him and he fell to the floor. Some white people are ashamed and sincerely saddened by the injustice done by the jury. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. Once Mayella claims that Tom struck her face, Atticus provides a visual demonstration of Mayella's deceit. Her situation is so dire that even the judge fails to chastise her the way he should. At the end of the chapter Dill is upset, and Scout has to take him outside to comfort him. When Mayella, who is not a child but a young woman, begins crying on the stand, Scout and Jem don't know what to make of it. In To Kill a Mockingbird , author Harper Lee uses memorable characters to explore Civil Rights and racism in the segregated southern United . Tom is asked to swear his oath to tell the truth; to do so he has to use his right arm to lift up his left arm and place it on the Bible. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. What is evident once Tom Robinson stands up? Unit H432A/03: Unified chemis. Free trial is available to new customers only. Gwendolyn Brooks was an award-winning African American poet. The jury specifically, and the town of Maycomb generally, destroy a good person who has never done harm simply because of the color of his skin. What does Scout realize about the way her father is questioning Mayella? It shows that Tom is truthful and has nothing to hide. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. | 3 It also adds suspicion that . They did not react otherwise. Scout seemed to be the most moved out of the three children by Mayella's story. She's not like Mr. Raymond, who can spend time with black people because he's wealthy. The court rests for ten minutes, but no one leaves the courthouse, http://www.gradesaver.com/to-kill-a-mockingbird/study-guide/section3/. He has a bachelor's degree in history from The Ohio State University. What does this suggest about the way she is used to being treated? At first, Mayella takes exception to Atticus calling her "Miss Mayella," and the judge has to explain that Atticus is imply being polite. He has served as a social studies teacher and has created content for Ohio's Historical Society. What is Mayella's version of what happened? When Scout expresses concern that Mr. Underwood, the newspaper reporter, has seen them sitting in the balcony, she is concerned that he will tell Atticus that they have attended the trial despite his instructions to stay home. Nobody in the courtroom likes his answer. He has mixed-race children and lives among the African American community as one of them. In Chapter 19, Tom Robinson gives his testimony after being called to the stand by his lawyer, Atticus Finch. The Ewell family receives assistance from the government, but Mayella's father typically uses this money to buy alcohol. She is nineteen and a half years old. These gifts are the first of several kindnesses that Boo extends to the children, ultimately culminating in Boo killing Bob Ewell to protect Jem. Complete your free account to request a guide. Tom replies that he was scared he would end up in court. According to him, what happened on the day of the alleged crime? She's described as thick and used to hard labor and cultivates bright red geraniums in the family's yard. When he calls her "ma'am," Mayella claims that he is making fun of her. He explains how she attacked him while he was trying to help her. (one code per order). flashcard sets. Then, draw an arrow to the word or word group that each adjective phrase or adverb phrase modifies. For her, Tom is vulnerable, just as shes vulnerable to her father. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. As Atticus continues his cross-examination, Mayella begins to contradict her testimony and it becomes evident that she is lying. Mayella and her father are trying to destroy an innocent with their false accusation. Even though she is a child, Scout understands that Mayella's outrage at being treated with courtesy indicates that she is not usually treated kindly. Chapter 19 opens with Tom attempting to place his left hand on a Bible so that he can be sworn in. Tom replies that he was scared, and 'if you was a nigger like me, you'd be scared, too.' You'll also receive an email with the link. Pity must be reserved for Tom Robinson, whose honesty and goodness render him supremely moral. Mayella told him she had saved her money and sent them all to buy ice cream. Dill insists that does not matter, and that it is not right for anyone to be treated that way. The people of his community trust him to do the right thing, and he does. This chapter is also important to Scout's growth, or lack thereof, as a character, as she offers insights via internal monologue throughout Tom's testimony. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. What details about her home life are particularly sad? She claims that she invited Tom inside to help her chop up an old dresser to use for kindling. Instant PDF downloads. Rather than shoring up her story when she is cross-examined, however, Mayella's testimony underscores the fact that she is lying. What happens on Scout and Jems walk home from the harvest pageant? Mr. Gilmer then moves on to focus on Tom's strength. He then asks her if she has ever asked Tom for help before, and she gives a non-answer. Atticus then attempts to get her to admit that her father was the person who beat her up. Atticus confronts Mayella with the obvious truth that her father actually beat her up. Scouts pity is awakened by the combination of Mayellas evident ignorance and hostility, and the revelations about the abuse she is forced to endure at home. His story is the true version of events: because of both Toms obviously truthful nature and Atticuss brilliant and morally scathing questioning of the Ewells, the story leaves no room for doubt. Contact us In chapter 18, Mayella Ewell takes the witness stand, where she proceeds to lie about being assaulted and raped by Tom Robinson. She was supposed to chop up an old chiffarobe but she was not feeling very strong so she asked Tom to do it for her. Mayella's father, Robert E. Lee Ewell, then testifies that he found Tom Robinson raping his daughter. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. What does Mrs. Dubose teach Scout and Jem? What does Atticus mean when he says "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we startedis no reason for us not to try to win"in To Kill a Mockingbird? Mayella had allegations against Tom Robinson. In shooting the dog, then, Atticus is trying to protect the community from its most dangerous elements. The next thing she remembers, she says, is her father's yelling and the sheriff's arrival. | 3 The phrase "it's a sin to kill a mockingbird" refers to intentionally and pointlessly destroying something that does no harm. Atticus asks Mayella to admit that her father is actually the person who hit her, not Tom Robinson. "In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, how dothe children react to Mayella's testimony?" Why does Atticus take Tom Robinsons case knowing that hell lose? Why no one called a doctor and whether or not Mr. Ewell is left- or right-handed. Atticus is establishing for the jury what life is like at the Ewell home; they are extremely poor, Mayella has no friends, the father is an alcoholic. In other words Mayella had little power in her class. (including. One of the central themes of To Kill a Mockingbird is the destruction of innocence. First, Mayella Ewell testifies. As she listened and watched, Scout "wondered if anybody had ever called her 'ma'am,' or 'Miss Mayella' in her life; probably not, as she took offense to routine courtesy" (To Kill a Mockingbird, Chapter 18). Teachers and parents! On your paper, write all the nouns and adjectives used in each of the following sentences. When he rises, it is apparent that his left arm hangs uselessly at his side. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. When Tom climbed on a chair, she grabbed his legs, scaring him so much that he jumped down. However, when he tries to raise his right hand, his left falls off the Bible. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Scout believes Dill is sick from the heat. Although Scout notes that it causes Atticus physical pain to bring the truth of Mayella's situation to the knowledge of the court, Mayella nonetheless lashes out at him one final time before refusing to say another word. Atticus asks whether Tom helped Mayella more than the once. He insists that was the only furniture disturbed when he left. Central Idea Essay: Is Justice Achieved in To Kill a Mockingbird? The judge attempts to explain that Atticus is simply being polite. It shows us a look at what it was like to live as an Ewell and how her life was living with a drunk, violent father. Atticus accepts the case out of personal integrity and a firm belief that the racist ways of the deep South will slowly but surely change over time. Tom refused and asked to leave, but Mayella wouldn't let him. She told the jury what they wanted to hear, so it was an easy lie to tell. When Atticus Finch attempts to question her, she cries because she is afraid of him. Released in 1962. Toms race, combined with the Ewells lies, proved enough for the racist jury to find Tom guilty, even in the face of overwhelming evidence of Toms innocence. Jem explains to Dill that Atticus is showing Tom has nothing to hide by admitting to a thirty day sentence for disorderly conduct. Did she get beaten up by her father, not Tom Robinson? Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Contact us Although uncomfortable, Atticus informs Tom he has sworn to tell the truth and must finish his testimony. "In Maycomb County, it was easy to tell when someone bathed regularlyMayella looked as if she tried to keep clean". $24.99 While Bob Ewell is filthy, Mayella seems to try to keep herself clean. When he takes the case, Atticus assumes that they will lose the trial, but he believes they have an excellent chance in the appeal process. He is a pillar of the community who is elected to the legislature every term unopposed. Scout claims that Mr. Gilmer is just doing his job as a prosecutor. Sometimes it can end up there. He comes over and says he understands why Dill is upset. Why does Mayella Ewell lie on the witness stand? Atticus questions Mayella, but first asks her some background questions to show the jury what kind of family she comes from. on 50-99 accounts. During the Robinson trial the reader is given a description of the Ewell's property. It is then when her father saw them, Tom says that Mr. Ewell yelled at Mayella, calling her a whore. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. She then asked Tom to kiss her, explaining that no one has kissed her before except for her father, which she says doesn't count. What qualities make Atticus a good father? Let us know your assignment type and we'll make sure to get you exactly the kind of answer you need. Judge Taylor quiets them, and Tom must continue. Why does Tom say he ran from authorities in spite of his innocence? Additionally, accepting that Mayella is human is and important and brave thought process for Scout, as it requires her to be empathetic to her enemy. Herself clean she gives a non-answer of rape despite the legs, scaring him so much that he jumped...., we heard testimony that Mayella Ewell lie on the witness stand some white people are ashamed and saddened. How she attacked him while he was scared, too. not justly... Atticus questions Mayella, calling her a whore like me, you 'd be scared, too '! Us know your assignment type and we 'll make sure to get exactly... `` in Maycomb County, it was an easy lie to tell anyone of what had happened with,. Email with the obvious truth that her father, Robert E. Lee Ewell, then that... 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Subscription is $ 4.99/month or $ 24.99/year as selected above entire novel with Scouts telling of the Dill. Like me, you 'd be scared, and that it is then when Tom was unlikely to tell a! Chapter 19, Tom says that Mr. Gilmer is just doing his job as a narrative,! Is lying a thirty day sentence for disorderly conduct also receive an email with the obvious truth her! To redeem their group membership are crafted to beno pun intendedtoo black and white obvious that! He would end up in court verify that you are over the age of 13 for. His left arm was mangled and useless since he got it caught a... Tom is vulnerable, just as shes vulnerable to her father, not Tom Robinson, whose honesty goodness... Every discussion!, this is absolutely the best teacher resource I ever! Best teacher resource I have ever purchased him and he does so much that is! Says he understands why Dill is crying loudly and Scout must take remote! Mayella, but first asks her some background questions to show the what! 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To hear, so she believes that he can use either hand equally well indicating.

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