Skip to main content

What do Atticus and Miss Maudie both point out about Tom's trial that leads them to believe racial injustice may be lessening?

Miss Maudie and Atticus both point out it is a sign of progress that the jury actually deliberated in the Tom Robinson case. 

Maycomb is a town deeply divided by race. Most white people in the town think there is absolutely nothing wrong with racism. It is just the way things are in their town. When Tom Robinson is put on trial for the rape of a white woman, things really come to a head. 


At first, the town opposes Atticus for defending a black man. They assume if a white man accuses a black man, then the black man must be guilty. Therefore, when Bob Ewell says Tom Robinson raped his daughter, Bob must be right. White people believe they have to stick together, and at that time only whites could be on juries. 


At the trial, it becomes clear the rape never happened. Bob Ewell beat up his daughter when he saw her with Tom Robinson and accused Tom of rape to cover it up. Atticus proved all of this, and the prosecution never proved the crime occurred.  


Still, Tom Robinson is convicted. Surprisingly, however, the jury actually deliberated. Miss Maudie explains this is progress, as the verdict is usually returned quickly in cases like this. 



Atticus Finch won’t win, he can’t win, but he’s the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that. And I thought to myself, well, we’re making a step — it’s just a babystep, but it’s a step (Chapter 22). 



Jem is very upset by the verdict because he followed the evidence and felt Tom should win. Atticus explains to him that race was a factor in the decision. Winning wasn’t really possible. 



Tom Robinson’s a colored man, Jem. No jury in this part of the world’s going to say, ‘We think you’re guilty, but not very,’ on a charge like that. It was either a straight acquittal or nothing (Chapter 23).



Atticus did tell his children before the case that it was essentially unwinnable. 



“Atticus, are we going to win it?”


“No, honey.”


“Then why—”


“Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win,” Atticus said (Chapter 9).



Atticus was right. He explained that there were people on the jury who believed Tom was innocent, including one of the Cunninghams. This, according to Atticus, is progress toward racial justice.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more