flashcard sets. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. At first, Mayella takes exception to Atticus calling her "Miss Mayella," and the judge has to explain that Atticus is imply being polite. Dill begins to cry, and Scout takes him out of the courtroom. In fact, everyone in the Ewell family was poor. 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. Tom Robinson has been convicted for a previous crime. What does this quote mean in To Kill a What are three examples of why Tom Robinson is innocent in To Kill a Mockingbird? Before asking for Tom's testimony of events, Atticus first establishes a few basic facts about Tom. Then she asked him to lift a box down from a dresser. flashcard sets. Tom refused and asked to leave, but Mayella wouldn't let him. Then when Tom was on the chair, she grabbed him and he fell to the floor. However, she insists that he never lays a hand on her or beats her. On hearing this, Scout realizes that Tom's manners are similar to Atticus's. Mayella Ewell is pitiable, and her miserable existence almost allows her to join the novels parade of innocent victimsshe, too, is a kind of mockingbird, injured beyond repair by the forces of ugliness, poverty, and hatred that surround her. Mayella lives a harsh life of poverty with no means of escape. She knew that he treated everyone with respect. In each of the following sentences, the verb agrees with its subject. This statement puts the courtroom ill at easein Maycomb, black people arent supposed to feel sorry for a white person. When Atticus treats her with respect, she is immediately suspicious of his motives. When Mayella reacts with indignation to Atticuss courteous words, however, Scout feels sorry for her too. You'll also receive an email with the link. Scout says that's different, telling Dill: "Well, Dill, after all he's just a Negro.". "Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." Why would it have "brought him no pleasure"? He says that Tom is 25, married with three kids, and then states he has been in trouble with the law once before. As Jem reads aloud to her every day for a montha punishment for destroying her camellia bushes after she harshly criticizes Atticusshe weans herself from her morphine addiction by refusing her medicine for longer and longer each day. As they walk, Scout and Dill encounter Mr. Dolphus Raymond, the rich white man with the Black mistress and mixed-race children. In To Kill a Mockingbird, the children react to Mayella's testimony with pity for her ignorance, her fear, and for what is revealed about the rough, abusive nature of her life at home. Scout discovers that Mayella has no friends, rarely leaves her home, lives with an abusive father, and is forced to raise her siblings. Atticus Finch a widowed father and respected lawyer, defends a black man named Tom Robinson against fabricated rape. The book tells the story of Scout Finch, a young girl who lives in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. Judge Taylor warns the spectators to remain silent despite what testimony they hear, and he warns Mr. Ewell to refrain from using foul language. Atticus Finch then begins to cross-examine the witness. Killing a mockingbird serves no purpose, and therefore is an act of unnecessary cruelty. (one code per order). Mayella Ewell's sad life makes her more sympathetic to readers and the onlookers despite her lies about Tom. Do not include articles. Tom replies that he was scared he would end up in court. She says no then yes, changing her answer. What does Judge Taylor say about Mr. Ewell's testimony? Scout realizes that Mayella must be the loneliest person in the world and is probably lonelier than Boo Radley. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. He tells her that he is bothered by how hateful Mr. Gilmer is acting towards Tom. Mayella identifies Tom as the man who beat her, and Atticus asks Tom to stand. Mayella's father, Robert E. Lee Ewell, then testifies that he found Tom Robinson raping his daughter. Who killed Tom Robinson in To Kill A Mockingbird? What does Bob Ewell's description of his daughter, Mayella, suggest about his feelings towards her? Outside the courtroom, Dill complains to Scout about Mr. Gilmers rude treatment of Tom Robinson during the questioning. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. She is scared of the court and scared of her father. She and Atticus agree that Jem and Scout may need round-the-clock supervision during the public spectacle, and she believes that the children need more exposure to the propriety and traditions of their upstanding family. Some white people are ashamed and sincerely saddened by the injustice done by the jury. Mayella declares that her father has never harmed her. Everyone in the courtroom realizes that Tom has not struck Mayella on the right side of her face because his left arm is damaged and unusable. Read more about how the tone of the book changes in these chapters. Under questioning, Ewell admits that he can use either hand equally well, indicating that he might be the person who beat Mayella. In Chapter 19, a more literal interpretation of the destruction of innocence is conveyed. Atticus ends his cross by pointing out Tom couldn't have hit the right side of her face because of his crippled left arm. He comes over and says he understands why Dill is upset. Mayella asked Tom to come inside her house; she told him she needed help getting a box down from a tall dresser. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! How does Scout get Mr. Cunningham and the mob to leave in To Kill a Mockingbird? He asks Tom if he is strong enough to choke a woman, and Tom answers that he supposes so. He says Mayella kissed him, saying she had never kissed a grown man and 'might as well kiss a nigger.' By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. Atticus and Tom Robinson in court from the film To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). Why does Mayella Ewell lie on the witness stand? Cite a specific quote from the text to support your answer. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. Atticus asks her to identify the man who raped her, and Mayella points to Tom, who Atticus asks to stand. Link Deas represents the diametric opposite of prejudice. 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. A+ Student Essay: Boo Radley's Role in Scout and Jem's Lives and Development, Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird Background. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. 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. While he was getting the box, Mayella knocked Tom to the floor and asked him to kiss her. He says "ma'am" to her and calls her "Miss Mayella." 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! Mayella lies about the incident involving Tom Robinson because it is socially unacceptable for a white woman in Maycomb to admit that she is attracted to a Black man. Please wait while we process your payment. What is about Mayella that makes Scout think of the red geraniums in the front yard? for a group? His left arm was mangled and useless since he got it caught in a cotton gin when he was a child. It is likely that both Black and white courtroom observers, having grown up understanding the societal demands of a place like Maycomb, know exactly why she lies. Learn about Mayella Ewell's testimony in Chapter 18 of ''To Kill a Mockingbird''. Mayella was offended by the polite words Atticus used. What was the children's reaction to Heck Tate's testimony? Then Atticus asks if she remembers if Tom hit her face, because in her previous answer she just claimed he choked her. He states that Mayella had asked him for some help inside with a door that has some broken hinges. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. After taking the stand, Mayella tells Mr. Gilmer, the prosecutor, that she is nineteen years old. She is nineteen and a half years old. He addressed her as he would any lady. creating and saving your own notes as you read. While Bob Ewell is filthy, Mayella seems to try to keep herself clean. As Chapter 18 of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee opens, Tom Robinson's trial is in progress. 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. Tom says he just wants to help because he feels bad for her. Jem explains to Dill that Atticus is showing Tom has nothing to hide by admitting to a thirty day sentence for disorderly conduct. In the following sentences, underline each adjective phrase and adverb phrase. Struggling with distance learning? This is clearly demonstrating to the jury that Tom does not have use of his crippled arm. This is where Chapter 19 comes to an end. After Atticus's cross-examination, Scout mentions that she feels numb and looks over at Jem and Dill, who are both yawning. All rights reserved. Atticus does this to establish Tom's credibility with the jury. Dill and Jem yawned when Mayella finished testifying. The small sample of his cross-examination that Scout and the reader do hear is enough. Atticus had done so because Mayella suffered bruising on the right side of her face. Not affiliated with Harvard College. Tom begins his testimony by explaining that he walks past the Ewell house every day when he goes to and from work. Scout claims that Mr. Gilmer is just doing his job as a prosecutor. In Atticuss cross-examination, Mayella reveals that her life consists of seven unhelpful siblings, a drunken father, and no friends. Tom realized it was quiet because there were no children. Scout also realizes what a predicament Tom had been in: if he hurt Mayella, he would have been killed, but because he ran away, he looked guilty. Mayella says this in reply: "No, I don't recollect if he hit me. Though Mr. Gilmer tries to get Tom to say Mayella lied, Tom repeats 'she's mistaken in her mind.' What does the rabid dog Atticus shoots symbolize? Tom was unlikely to tell anyone of what had happened with Mayella, recognizing that his safety was at stake. Mr. Gilmer opens by asking Tom about his disorderly conduct charge again. Atticus asks Tom to tell the jury what happened the evening of November 21st. All people, he understands, deserve respect and kindness. Central Idea Essay: Is Justice Achieved in To Kill a Mockingbird? At that point, Mr. Ewell appeared at the window and started shouting at Mayella. Tom ran away before finding out what happened next. Who was the second witness to testify? Instant PDF downloads. She's described as thick and used to hard labor and cultivates bright red geraniums in the family's yard. Her father told her what to say while on the stand and likely threatened to hurt her more if she refused. According to him, what happened on the day of the alleged crime? $24.99 Expert Help. She herself much resembles Scout, the narrator and main character of the novel. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Next to each sentence number, write S if the subject and verb are singular. She changes her story, claims to not remember, and struggles to give a clear picture of events, all of which is clear behavior of someone nervously trying to string together a lie. In the first sentence of the novel, Scout says that Jem broke his arm. She refuses to admit her lies, even though an innocent man is on trial for the crime. Contact us copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. She takes care of the familys needs, and Atticus trusts her unequivocally. What important about Tom Robinson's testimony is that it contradicts Mayella's. Tom had to serve time because he couldn't afford to pay the fine, whereas the other man could. That's when Mayella's father saw them. 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. Accessed 1 Mar. The reader do hear is enough 4.99/month or $ 24.99/year as selected above it in., write s if the subject and verb are singular she remembers if Tom hit face! Who beat Mayella. claimed he choked her ( 1962 ) Miss Mayella. Alabama... He fell to the floor Robinson raping his daughter a Mockingbird ( 1962 ) done so Mayella... Enough to choke a woman, and therefore is an act of unnecessary cruelty this to establish 's! She told him she needed help getting a box down from a dresser adverb phrase raped,. 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