Tom Robinson is an interesting character. He could be viewed differently from certain points of view. From the Bob Ewell views him as an animal and treats him terribly. Ewell believes that since Tom is a black man, he is worth less than himself, a white man. He says Tom is a rapist and a bad person. Ewell is disrespectful towards Tom. He threatens the accused. He treats him in accordance with the Jim Crow laws. From his own and Atticus’s point of view, Tom is a completely different person. Tom is kind to people. He takes time out of his day to help Mayella. He does not take money for his help either. There are people who claim Tom is a good family man as well. In court, Tom is quiet. He is respectful to everyone. He speaks of everyone as an
Tom Robinson’s character exemplifies the mockingbird because he is a black man who is denied justice based on racial prejudice. After Mayella Ewell accuses Tom of rape, there is no way for him to be judged fairly because the narrow-minded, white townspeople are unable to get past their prejudices towards blacks. At his trial, Tom’s lawyer, Atticus, argues,
The reason the author did introduce the town of Maycomb was to explain how it was. The town Maycomb was little it was on the southern side. It was not that rich. People were racist and they were in the great depression time. It was a small town in Southern Alabama there was no money to spend and buy stuff. Change had not came to Maycomb yet. There were still early survivors of the Civil War. They would tell the people about the good times. Scout did spend all of her youth time in Maycomb. The Great Depression was raging up. Black and White were still separated. The trial of Tom Robinson was a big event for the people of Maycomb. Maycomb County was recently told that they had nothing to be feared for but fear itself. The town people were so
Power, weather it be in physical or mental strength, power is when someone has an advantage over something or when someone has control over something or someone. Maycomb, Alabama, a small town where almost everyone knows each other but Maycomb has never been a popular place until the trial involving Tom Robinson (Assailant), Mayella Ewell (Victim), and Atticus Finch (Defendants Lawyer). Atticus is not only a lawyer, he is apart of the state legislature, and also a father of two, Jeremy Atticus Finch (Jem), and Jean Louise Finch (Scout). Scout and Jem also have their own adventures before, during, and after the trial. Because of her class and gender, Mayella is powerless, but her race makes her more powerful.
Tom Robinson is the negro that Atticus was assigned to defend from Mr. Ewell. He was convicted of raping and beating Mayella Ewell. Dill grows up when he realizes that Tom Robinson is just like everyone else and that the way they treated him was not fair. When Tom gets on the stand Mr.Gilmer treats him completely different from his witnesses. Mr.Gilmer was talking rudely to him and asked him questions that he knew Tom couldn't answer without getting any disapproval. When Dill gets upset over the way Mr.Gilmer is treating Tom he goes
My assigned multigenre project character is about Tom Robinson. He is first introduced in chapter nine, on the following page 100. Tom Robinson is illustrated as a Negro, that “lives in that little settlement beyond the town dump. He’s a member of Calpurnia’s church, and Cal knows his family well. She says they’re clean folks” (Lee 100). From this short little summary, it’s possible to conclude that Tom Robinson is a dark-skinned (Negro), poor man (lives near the town dump), who is in need of a lawyer (Atticus is a lawyer). I feel that Tom Robinson is going to be a very substantial character in this particular book because of Atticus’ decision to support a Negro when himself is a white male. Since this book is set in the early 1930s, it’s around
Arthur (Boo) Radley and Tom Robinson are both great examples of mockingbirds. Although, in my opinion, Tom Robinson acted more as a mockingbird than Boo did. Mr. Robinson was a twenty five year old Negro who was charged with a crime that he had nothing to do with. Mr. Ewell, a spiteful, cruel, evil man, wrongfully accused Tom of raping his daughter and because of the racism, Mr. Robinson was convicted and sent to prison. While in prison, he tried to escape, but got caught and shot to death. Mr. Robinson, much like a mockingbird, did no harm to anybody. In this story, Miss Maudie states that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because they cause no harm. In my opinion, Tom’s situation strongly relates to what Miss Maudie said. It was a sin to
Firstly, Tom Robinson is just one character that is prejudged in the novel. He is accused of raping a white girl named Mayella and it is a problem to the jury that a black man is trying to defend himself in court. Atticus realizes how Tom is being treated unfairly and that it is uncommon for African Americans and white people to associate with each other. During Atticus’s speech, Mayella is accused of lying in her testimony when “she kissed a black man [which is] something that in our society is unspeakable” (Lee 272). The black man who Atticus refers to is Tom. He is ridiculed and judged by several people in the book and he gets all this
As Atticus says, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”(Lee 33). Tom's story also highlights the need for justice in a world where it is often denied to those who need it most. Despite Atticus's best efforts to defend him, Tom is found guilty and sentenced to death. This shows that justice is not always served, especially for those who are marginalized and oppressed. Overall, Tom Robinson serves as a powerful symbol of a mockingbird in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Throughout the story To Kill a Mockingbird as a reader I have noticed that both Boo Bradley and Tom Robinson are portrayed in somewhat of the same way. The title To Kill a Mockingbird means to kill someone who is innocent. Both of these characters ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. I think both Boo and Tom should be considered Mockingbirds.
Tom Robinson is like the mockingbird in that he only tried to help Mayella Ewell by piling her wood and outside chores for nothing. He was rewarded by the universe by being sexually assaulted by her, and then accused of the crime done to him. As Tom Robinson said
While characterizing Tom Robinson, I found that he was honest and good-natured. He is honest for two main reasons. When Tom was being questioned on the stand, he never lied. Tom Robinson was completely honest about his strength. He knew that being strong would not help his case, but he told Mr. Gilmer that he was strong enough to beat or rape a woman. Additionally, he was honest with his previous conflicts with the law. It certainly does not look good to have served jail time in a trial like this, however, he was honest and explained what happened. His honesty was especially shown when Atticus asked him to fully describe after Mayella invited him in. It was uncomfortable for Tom, but he explained everything. He also informed Atticus of what
Tom Robinson is another mockingbird figure. He was a genuinely caring person who is destroyed by his willingness to help Mayella Ewell. Just like a mockingbird, Robinson never hurt anyone. Yet, he was also persecuted by society for his kindness and his race. Tom Robinson was killed because of his kindness and the color of his skin; “ a harmless songbird that was shot down by a senseless hunter.” Lee uses the character of Tom as a mockingbird figure to express the innocence of the mockingbird and exhibit the narrow-mindedness and biased opinions of the towns folk.
In her book To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee depicts a gritty, Southern town, filled with racism, dishonesty, and criticism. Thomas Robinson, however, is one of a few who strive to live morally. Despite the persecution he faces because of his race, Tom still forgives and shows kindness to those around him. In a town where criticism and dishonesty thrive, Robinson has nothing to hide. Even though others treat him like rubbish and try to make his life miserable, Tom shows generosity to everyone who might need a helping hand.
Tom Robinson is a mockingbird because he was innocent of the crime that Mayella said he committed. During Tom Robinson's testimony he said, “ …. I felt right sorry for her, she seemed to try more than the rest of em- …” (page 197) This showed us Tom's character , he simply wanted to help her out of the own kindness of his heart. The local journalist reflected on Tom’s death written in his editorial by referring to it as the, “Senseless slaughter of songbirds...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
Secondly, Tom Robinson can also be characterized as a compassionate person. In addition, Tom Robinson felt sorry for Mayella because she has seven siblings, but none of them are helpful. Mayella also has a drunken father that hurts and obscene her. Atticus asked, “‘Then why didn’t the other children hear you? Where were