Maycomb Jury Rant

Today in Chapter 21 we found out the verdict of the Tom Robinson trial. Before we got to find out, Calpurnia appeared in the courtroom with a letter for Atticus. It was from Aunt Alexandria telling him that Jem, Scout, and Dill were missing. Mr, Underwood stood up and told Atticus that they were with the A.A. people on the balcony. They got down from there and returned home to eat supper. Atticus said that they could return for the verdict if it wasn't chosen by the time they got back. They do end up getting back before the verdict is chosen, and eventually, it is chosen around 11:00 p.m. It took 3-4 hours, and the verdict given is guilty. Atticus leaves, and the A.A. people applaud Atticus for his service. The children, especially Jem is shocked. Jem didn't think that racism would play a part in the decision.

Ok, rant time. I remember how Mayella said that the jury members are yellow-bellied cowards if they didn't decide guilty as the verdict. In my opinion, it should be the other way around. The jury members are cowards for deciding guilty and giving in to racism and ignorance. They were given no evidence by the prosecution except for eye witnesses who were obviously lying and trying to hide something. Atticus exposed all three of the prosecution's witnesses during cross examination. Atticus didn't even try to hide anything during the direct examination of Tom Robinson. We found out the truth of what really happened on November 21st rather than the bended lies by the unprestigious Ewells. Atticus had an extraordinary closing argument. He even told the jury to decide using evidence, not racism, but what did they do? They were overcome by racism and ignorance, and they named an innocent man guilty. He will lose his life because of a lie, and he even has a family. He has a wife and three children who will now be fatherless. The cowardly jury have saved the worst family in Maycomb and destroyed a perfectly fine family. At the least, some of the jury members thought that Tom was not guilty, but they were forced by peer pressure to do something acceptable.

Are You Like Atticus or the Others?

We just read a pretty heavy part. We knew that the jury was all white, and would problem lean to the white person's side, and that they did. The jury found Tom Robinson guilty. Evidence proves that there is no way that Tom could have beaten up Mayella. Bob Ewell also did not call a doctor which makes the jury believe that it never happened. Mayella also said to Tom that what her dad does to her does not count. Meaning that her dad problem beats her up. It is the sad reality, but those are the facts, and that is what the jury should have believed.
The jury, of all white men, did not listen to the facts though. They all came out with Tom being guilty. The problem is though that Tom clearly did not do that. They were just basing everything off of Tom's skin color, and that it's either Tom or Bob. They chose Tom to be guilty.
Atticus knew that he probably would not win, but still defended Tom anyway. Atticus could have easily handed Tom off to another lawyer, but Tom stayed knew that he could help this man, and he did. I know that back then in the Jim Crow south, I would not defend Tom. I would be too scared that people would call me mean names, or that my family would be made fun of, or something like that. I would easily say no to that. Atticus, however, does not do that. Atticus knows that everyone else would not do the job, and he stepped into Tom's life, and knew this guy needed help, and helped defend Tom. Atticus worked really hard to defend Tom. He did some things for the first while he was defending Tom. he loosened up his clothing, and he started sweating. This shows how hard Atticus worked to help Tom, yet, he lost.
The jury took a LONG time making a verdict, which means they could not come to a unanimous decision, and they probably took into consideration how well Atticus did, and that his facts were taken into consideration. The jury, decided that because Tom is black, they will choose him guilty. It is very sad, but over the top ignorant. Even though Atticus lost, he still defended Tom, and tried his hardest. I try to live up to Atticus standards, but a lot of the time it is hard. I challenge all of you to try to live up to Atticus' standards more, and more everyday. It is okay if you fail once in a while, but everyone makes mistakes, and then we learn from them.

NOOOOOOO!!!

This chapter the kids were caught by Cal and they had to go home to eat and if the jury had not come to a verdict yet then they would see it when they got to the courtroom from supper. When they get back at about eight the jury still hasn't come to a decision. Then while waiting scout falls asleep. The clock tolls eleven waking her up just in time for the verdict. The jury slowly comes in single file and sit down. Then the saddest thing ever happens the jury came to a unanimous decision of guilty. Then you can see that Atticus is truly sad as he walks out of the courtroom. All the people in the colored bleachers stand up and Reverend sykes tells the children to get up because their father is leaving. I am truly angered by the fact that the verdict was guilty even though they had no evidence to come to the verdict of guilty. This just shows you how rigged this system is. There is no clear cut evidence to support the fact that Tom rapped mayella. No papers no images just two witnesses. The people of the town are so racist and ignorant that they just had to come to a decision of guilty just to keep their unjust system going. You could clearly tell that from all the time that it took to come to the decision of guilty that some of the jurors wanted Tom to live, or at least not let the Ewell win. However, they just couldn't let go of their precious system for once just to save a mans life. The jurors are truly the caliber of the ewells.

Through this experience we truly see Atticus at his best. He knew that he would fail. He knew that Tom wouldn't make it. However, he took the case anyways. He has shown us what true courage is. Knowing you will fail but doing the right thing anyways. I personally want to be like Atticus one day. Someone who always does the right thing.  He knew he was going to fail but he did the right thing. I am truly sad that tom was seen as guilty. We all thought that since Atticus is such a great lawyer that Tom would live and go home to his family. However, in our hearts we all knew that he would fail and that tom would die. This is why all the people on the balcony stand up when Atticus is leaving. He deserved their respect after all that he did, and all that he accomplished in just one court case. Atticus deserves more respect than any other man or woman that I have ever met.

No Place Is More Equal Than The Court

    Atticus' closing arguments we read today was an unforgettable reading that will make the novel more memorable for the readers. I already know Atticus is a good lawyer but I don't know that he can be that great when he gives his closing arguments in front of the jury. He states that the quote of Thomas Jefferson "All men are created equal" is wrong because in reality, they are not. An example is Tom Robinson can be killed or put in jail just because Mayella breaks the social code. If she didn't do it, Tom wouldn't have to end up in the trial like this. Not only Mayella breaks the social code but she also wants to destroy all the evidence to make her look innocent. I was very frustrated and felt sorry for Tom because Mayella uses Tom Robinson as the evidence of her defense. I thought she could have used some other evidences to cover up what she did. But NO, Mayella chooses Tom. 

     During the closing arguments, Atticus says to the jury that they have to do their duty fairly and not be influenced with any emotion. Atticus wants the jurors know they play a very important role in the court because they will decide whether Tom is guilty or not. A court of law is the one place where ALL the people are equal, where the truth will be revealed and the verdict will be given. From young to old people, from rich to poor people, from smart to narrow-minded people, everyone will equal. The court doesn't care about people's money, their salary, their intelligent or their skin color; the court only cares about the truth. I was in the jury in the mock trial so I know what I must do to come to the unanimous decision. Atticus says, "In the name of God, do your duty." He means that the jury must the right thing which is not guilty verdict. He shows emotion to the jury which is a good thing for him and for Tom. I really, really want to know the verdict but I'm also scared to hear it because the jury might not do their duty fairly and might say Tom is guilty. I hope everything will go as I have expected. 

Breaking Social Codes

Finally, we have gotten to the closing argument! This part was very intriguing to me! This was a part where we got to listen to Atticus use his knowledge and skills to persuade the jury to say that Tom is not guilty. he starts off by saying that the case isn't even hard at all. It's easy what verdict should be given to Tom. Bob and Mayella don't have any evidence that supports their claim of Tom raping Mayella. In fact, they have more evidence that Bob himself beat Mayella. So, if it's this easy, why did this happen? Why are we in a courtroom discussing this? It's because of Mayella breaking a social code. A social code that when broken, can make a person a social outcast that is hated by all the whites. Mayella was kissed Tom, an African American man. In the 1930s Jim Crow South this is not acceptable. Mayella had decided that to not be hated by everyone, that she should hide all the evidence that she did this. The only way of doing this is to lynch Tom. Bob and Mayella were hoping that the whole jury would assume that all African Americans are evil. Atticus calls the jury out on this and says that if anyone thinks like this they are just as stupid as the Ewells. This was a smart thing for Atticus to say because it makes the jury want to not think like this. The Ewells are considered to be inferior compared to the rest of Maycomb. The jury obviously wouldn't want to be considered equal to them in thought. I thought that the closing argument that was given by Atticus was very powerful and gives some food for thought for the jury. Although I feel like this should be enough to make the jury come to the verdict of not guilty, I feel like the jury might still say that Tom is guilty. Although I don't want this to be the outcome, I feel like the book might pull a twist on us and make this the verdict. I would be mad at the book if this were the ending. Keeping my fingers crossed it turns out good!

The Best Piece of Written Literature

This the moment that we have all been waiting for, we have finally have read the closing argument from the man himself, Mr. Atticus Finch. Overall of the chapter in the book, Atticus has proven himself to be a man with high standards, high morals, and is also the most tolerant person in the whole book. He has taught us many different ways to be tolerant to other, by putting our self in others shoes, by treating everyone as equals, and most importantly to not be the killer of mockingbirds. With this chapter, and only in six pages out of the 376 pages in this book, he teaches us all how we should all be tolerant to everyone. Specifically he persuaded the jury to see that this is a simple case, and it should not have been brought to a trial.

Atticus starts out by telling the jury that this case is not at all a hard case, because the state has not provided enough evidence that supports the accusations that Mayella and Bob Ewell have appointed towards Tom Robinson. Another thing that Atticus tells us and the jury, is that either way you look at the case, Mayella  is the victim. If you believe that Tom Robinson is the one who raped Mayella, then she is the victim there, however if you believe in the same story that I believe in, which is the story of the honorable man, Tom Robinson. Now in his side of the story, Mayella, is the victim of being neglected from her father and she is the victim of Bob Ewell. All tho Mayella is the victim of those things, she also broke a social code that should have ever been a problem. She kissed a black man. To us in the 21st century, we are all probably frowned upon, because we all know that we can love who you want to love race, religion, color, creed and sexual orientation, should have nothing to do with loving another person. However in the Jim Crow south in 1936, in the middle of the great depression, it had everything to do with loving another human being. President Roosevelt said that every man was born equal. Except that's not really how it works. everyone is treated incorrectly. I have been mis treated by multiple people that I thought I could count on, but they didn't want to help me fight my own battles, they jumped ship, and let me sink down along with the ship. However, I am stronger and am willing to fight for myself and I found a place, where we are all treated equally. For me, that is through my writing, however for the people in Maycomb Alabama, they are only treated as equals in the courthouse, where justice should and shall be served justly to all man. In the court of law, every man has rights, and has the right to a just trial. In my writing, I have the right to my opinion on a subject, and the teacher will grade everyone's equally, by giving them the same amount of time and work ethic when grading. They will then give feed back into your writing, not from their emotional connection with the topic, but with the work ethic you put into the paper, and how hard you tried on it. This is something that the jury of this case needs to work on. they need to set aside all of the emotions that were going on in  the courtroom. For example, when Mayella told the men that is they founded Tom Robinson not guilty, then they were all just cowards. The only thing that should ever matter is the evidence that is in the case. Which there is nun that suggest that Tom was the one who beat and rapes Mayellla. Atticus Finch tell this beautifully in his closing argument. 

CHAPTER 20

When Scout and Dill were conversing with Mr. Dolphus Raymond, they still had some ignorance in themselves since they called him "evil' before even talking to him . I remember that  would also sometimes be ignorant towards some people I haven't even met yet. One time, there was a rumor spread about a man who was "crazy", and I decided to believe those rumors because of how he acted in the (mpls) streets. I now realize that it was something really ignorant of me to do as a kid. 
After having a brief conversation with Mr. Dolphus Raymond, Scout and Dill go back in and realized that Atticus was doing his final arguments to the jury. Jem told Scout that he was sure that Atticus would win the case. Jem and Scout later witnessed something that Atticus had never done before, and it was the only time she had saw atticus do this. he had loosed his tie and unbuttoned him vest a little. this was really strange for Scout since Atticus would always have his clothes on well and would never do that unless he was going to bed. this was was Atticus trying to show the jurors that he was a "simple man". He began to explain the importance of Tom's life and his future. Atticus tells them that Tom is clearly innocent and he is only being accused since he's an African American. He explained even further and told the jurors that he know's that Mayella was lying in her testimony and that she was only trying to protect herself from others knowing that she was kissed a black man. Mayella is desperately willing to get rid of the fact that she had done it, that she is willing to cost a man's life. Atticus also knew and said that it was Bob that had beat her as a lesson for kissing a black man and for ruining their reputation. He also says that the marks had come from a left handed person and is couldn't have been Tom since he was handicapped, but it only could have been Bob. Atticus kind of "guilts" the jurors by telling them that everyone is created equal, some are born rich, others are born poor, some have good opportunities, and some don't. He said he hoped the jurors are good people and will believe Tom by saying "for the love of God". The chapter ends with Calpurnia walking towards Atticus. Scout and Dill when they were conversing with Mr. Dolphus Raymond. They still had some ignorance in themselves since they called him "evil' before even talking to him . 

Atticus' Closing Argument

        After the case-in-chief, we're moving to the closing argument. During Mr. Gilmer's cross examination, we do not know all what happened because Dill was crying and Scout had to take him out of the court, they went to Mr. Raymond, who empathizes with Dill. I've learned some new thing about Mr. Raymond in this chapter, he is not an evil man or drink alcohol like what people often say, Mr. Gilmer is a good man, he's actually quite tolerance. After that, Dill and Scout go back to the courtroom, and Atticus is giving his closing argument.
         Atticus is a good lawyer, also a tolerance man, and we all know this, he says that this case is not a difficult case because he knows very clearly that Tom is not guilty. This case is not hard and shouldn't come to a trial because there is no evidence Tom did it and it means Tom is not guilty. Base on what Tom said, Mayella kissed him, it means she broke the social code because a white woman can't kiss a black man. Bob, of course, he would be very angry because his daughter kissed a black man so he has beaten Mayella. To hide what Mayella did, the Ewells have to destroy the evidence, they must put Tom in jail or kill him, so that no one will know this. Atticus also says that the Ewells hopped the jury will go along with the assumption that African-Americans are evil and help them because they're white. Of course Atticus knows the Ewells are lying, he says if the jurors believe it and do what the Ewells want, they are as ignorance as the Ewells.
        What I like the most in Atticus' closing argument is when Atticus says that all people in America are not all equal, but the court of law is the place where all people are equal. Atticus wants the jurors to come to the final decision by review the evidence with their emotion, not just because Mayella is a white girl and the jurors protect, bias her. I agree with Atticus that no one in America is equal, so when someone wants to make a important choice or something, they have to very carefully and make sure their choice is right, not just they choose what they like, it is unequal.

We are all the SAME!!

Today in class we were reading about Atticus closing argument. With was one the most important things in the book. It was really inspirational. Atticus is telling everyone that we are equal, but people don't see that. We are not born racism. We did not care about nothing when we are little. We just care about friends. Dill is crying over a African American. We don't see that as a grown up. He is losing hes child innocence. By the time we grow up. We become different, and we care. He was telling mostly to the jury's that they should think about it well and not just accused the man guilty right away. In my opinion I think people in maycomb should act more mature and start acting like a grown up. They are acting like if they were different. Don't they believe in the same religion that God made them all the same. Atticus starts by saying that this case is not hard at all because they don't have no evidence that Tom beat up mayella. That means that Tom is not guilty. They know that he is not guilty they jury's don't want to admit it, since its in Jim crow south. Just because Mayella broke a social code they want to kill a man. They want there family to suffer even there children. The Edwills assume that every African American is mean and evil. That is just ignorant. No one like ignorant people. At the end Atticus tells them to do the right thing and choose the right decision. In my opinion the juries should act professional, because they are grown people. They need to think if the person is guilty or not. Tom is not guilty, but since it the Jim Crow they assume that whatever a white person says its true.

My cousin is 4 years old she is going to be 5. She is in preschool. She has a best friend that is different color. She does not care what her color is. She still her child innocence. Now in this days some people can be racist still and some just don't care. My cousin has been neighbors with for at least for 2 years. They use to share toys and have play dates. My cousin had to move apartments, but they are still in the same building. They still play together. My godmother can be sometimes ignorant. When ever my big cousin uploads picture up her sister my cousin she is in school playing with her best friend in school. There is one photo where they are playing in the snow and they are smiling they look happy. They haven't learn racism yet. We were not born racist. We learned it. That's when we lost our child innocence.

What Is Atticus' Closing Argument Going to Contain? - Faraes Wubshet

Finally we are at the last part of the case where the lawyers can present their closing arguments. Atticus has been a major role model on how all humans should act in this amazing book. He has shown us what true courage means. Telling us always to step in others people’s shoes even if they might threaten your life. And to me the most important thing to take away for him is to not kill a mockingbird. A mockingbird does no harm to you all they do is sing, so you shouldn’t kill them. This means a bigger meaning throughout the book, a literal meaning. The literal meaning means that you shouldn’t treat someone wrongly if they haven’t done anything to you. Examples of this is Boo Radley, the most prominent example. Other examples of this include Tom Robinson, Scout, and The teacher from the earlier chapters.

Now the moment we’ve all been waiting for.

What I believe Atticus will have in his closing argument is all that I have listed above. I think he will attack Maycomb’s disease by talking about how racism is persuading them to go for Mayella when their is no clear evidence on who raped her. I think he will guilt the people of the jury to go for Maycomb to realize what their doing, putting a man to death without critical evidence. I think he will bring christianity, and that everyone is equal in God’s eyes. I however have a bad feeling that Tom will still be found guilty. I don’t know if it’s just my gut, or that everyone dies or is put to the death in the books we read.(The following; coyotito, ricardo, johnny, Dally, Albatross, Edgar Allen Poe, the Ushers, the man with the weird eye, fortunato, Beto’s family members, the magician with the birds half of his family, and Lennie, and seems like a couple more.

Dill-Childhood Innocence

        Dill is probably one of my favorite characters in this book. He lives in Mississippi, so you would think that he has seen a lot of racism. He does not take seeing Tom on the stand being torn apart by Mr. Gilmer well. Dill begins to sob when he sees Mr. Gilmer questioning Tom. Scout and Dill are then forced to leave because Jem and Reverand Sykes don't want them watching. Scout seems a little crestfallen when she is forced to leave, but then she is a good friend to Dill and goes with him. As they are outside, they meet Mr. Raymond. They assume he is an evil person, but find he is an interesting character. He lets everyone think that he is drunk all the time because he gives them a reason that he enjoys African American people's presence than white people. I find this funny because in my mind you shouldn't have to give people a reason you want to be with certain people. If you want to hang out with a person, you shouldn't be judged for hanging out with that person.
        Dill is crying in this because he still has his childhood innocence. He hasn't grown immune to racism like other people around him. If I was there, I would probably be in the same boat. I probably wouldn't cry, but I would have to leave because it would make me physically sick. Scout, Jem, and everyone else in that room are used to racism. They don't get physically sick because they may even take part in it sometimes. They lost their childhood innocence because they see African Americans attacked verbally and sometimes physically all the time. A lot of adults in that room don't even notice the way that Mr. Gilmer talks to Tom Robinson the way that Dill does because they are so beyond used to people talking and acting that way. They don't understand anymore that it is wrong. They just think because everyone else is doing it, it must be okay for them to do it too. The adults then raise their children to act that way too. Their kids grow up thinking it is okay to make fun of someone because of their skin color, and then the process keeps repeating. It makes you sick thinking about that, and I can see why it would push a boy to tears, especially if he doesn't see a lot of racism.

MR. GILMER NEEDS TO STOP

Mr. Gilmer has no respect for Tom Robinson, it seems. All he does in the cross examination with Tom Robinson is say things that make him look like a liar. We ALL know that Bob Ewell lied about everything. Mayella was trying to do weird things with Tom Robinson, and Bob Ewell sure did see it. Something came out of Bob's mouth that should never come out of anyone else's mouth. He said some insulting things to Mayella. It shows that Bob Ewell sure is a lazy father that probably abuses Mayella in many ways. Mr. Gilmer sits there and treats Tom Robinson like dirt. One of the things that Mr. Gilmer asked that kind of confused me. He asked Tom Robinson "Why were you so anxious to do that woman's chores?" Tom Robinson replied with "Looked like she didn't have nobody to help her, like I says-" Mr. Gilmer interrupting Tom Robinson saying "With Mr. Ewell and seven children one the place, boy?" "Well, I says it looked like they never help her none-" "You did all this chopping and work from sheer goodness, boy" "Tried to help her, I says." Tom Robinson said that Mayella had saved up money for the children to go get ice cream on the night that this all happened. Bob Ewell, nor the children were there. It doesn't look like any one was around to help her. And besides, Mayella asked for Tom Robinson's help, and he did it for free. Tom Robinson wasn't anxious to do her chores at all. One thing that I find funny in this book is that, it's not okay to kill a mockingbird, but it's ok to try killing Tom Robinson.

Another thing that I wanted to point out. Mr. Gilmer calls Tom Robinson a offensive racist word during the cross examination. He always ends his sentences with "boy." "You did all this chooping from sheer goodness, boy," "With Mr. Ewell and seven children one the place, boy?" Mr. Gilmer sits there and disrespects Tom Robinson, and when you look at Atticus, he is being the most respectful person on the planet. Even Dill notices how Tom Robinson is treated, and doesn't like it. Atticus is calling Mayella "Ma'am" and "Miss" and then Mr. Gilmer is straight out calling Tom Robinson the N word. It seems back then the N word wasn't as offensive as it is today.

Mr. Gilmer.

In chapter 19 where learned a couple new  things. first off when mr. Gilmer was interrogating Tom Robinson he was not bringing the nicest to him. He kept calling him “ boy” as if he was not an adult. Tom Robinson was very nice and polite and every time you would respond she would say sir. That is respectable thing however mr. Gilmer did not do that. Done Scout and Dill go outside of the court because still starts to cry. Scott them ask him why he started crying. Dill says that the way he was treating Tom was very sad. That mr. Dolphus comes in  tell the children that it makes them sick too. Then it'll still to take a sip of his” whiskey.” Don't accept and let me learn that it's not whiskey it's actually Coca-Cola.

The sign that deal starts crying telling us that he still has some sort of childhood innocence. It shows that he cares and shows emotion unlike some of the adults inside of the courtroom there are just playing it off. They are not saying anything or reacting to it. Now what I think Dill did was amazing. Share showing emotion and knowing that this is wrong. It is wrong to judge someone and not knowing what they are like on the inside. That is what everyone is doing and judging them by the skin color. I like these other adults act and Dill actually have some meaning.

Mr. Gilmer is Doing Really Well, Even if you Think he is a Jerk (I do Too)

          When we read Mr. Gilmer's cross examination I felt bad for Tom, but at the same time Mr. Gilmer is executing his job really well. The first thing that Mr. Gilmer does really well is reminding the jury is, "inferior" to them because of his skin color. The main way he does this is he continuously calls Tom, "boy." When he says this he is belittling Tom like he is a small child compared to him and the other white people. When he does this he mainly is trying to show the jury that Tom is unequal and they shouldn't sway to his side. Second he reminds the jury that Tom is able to beat Mayella. He does this by asking him how he is good a busting up chifferobes with his one arm. Thirdly, he points out how Tom must have had an eye on Mayella because he did her chores for free, which isn't true, but since it is a cross examination and he is asking close ended questions, he isn't able to tell how he doesn't. When Tom says that he helped her because he felt sorry for her, but this immediately stirs the gallery because in the Jim Crow South this is a bad thing to say because it is, "bad" for a black to feel bad for a white. Finally, Mr. Gilmer asks Tom why he ran if he wasn't guilty, he is equating running with guilt. The other people don't understand the predicament Tom is and was in. (I thought this is a good picture that describes Tom).

Calm down Mr.Gilmer...

After finishing the direct examination with Tom, it is now Mr. Gilmer's turn to cross examine him. Remember that during a cross examination, the attorneys are allowed to rapid fire and make the witness look untrustworthy. That does not mean that you can badger them, however. That is when the other attorney will object. Since these are the Jim Crow Laws, and an African American is being cross examined. If everyone else involved in the trial is white, they might bend the rules to give the whites the advantage. During the cross examination, Mr. Gilmer is being extra racist. He is doing this to remind everyone in the courtroom that African Americans are still inferior to the whites in Maycomb. When Mr. Gilmer asks Tom why he would continue to help Mayella, Tom responds by saying that he felt bad for her. As soon as he said this, he immediately regretted it. Back in those days in Maycomb, the whites were supposed to look down on the African Americans. It was the way things were "supposed" to be with the power structure in Maycomb. It made Dill, who is the only one with his childhood innocence intact, burst into tears. The way that Mr. Gilmer called him "boy" in a very condescending way made Dill become sick. The whole time Mr. Gilmer was making a joke of Tom by being very rude to him. Tom remained calm and called him "sir" throughout the whole examination.

I now have much less respect for Mr.Gilmer now. You could possibly argue that he was being smart about it, but I doubt that the jury will even pay attention to what is going on. I think that Mr.Gilmer is name calling to keep everything the way it is, like how we discussed in class. He is doing it simply to get the upper hand and to get the attention of the jury. If the jury is somehow entertained, or feeling powerful, they will most likely vote guilty. Once again, the jury will hardly pay any attention to evidence, and will not be considering switching sides any time soon. This makes me feel bad on the inside, just as Dill is. You cannot just talk that way to another human. Now I have my eye on Mr. Gilmer to see if he will have any more racism in his closing argument. I am also hyped for Atticus's closing argument.

Mayella's Confession and How Atticus Shows What a Real Lawyer He Is

In chapter 18 during the direct examination for Mayella Ewell, Mayella says that when she was rapped her father came in and asked who did it.  However, in Bob's confession he said that he saw Tom Robinson do it. Atticus then thoroughly questions Mayella and gets her to confess that her home life is completely terrible. If Bob and Mayella confessions don't add up, then one of them must be lying, or both of them. This shows that Tom didn't do it. Its simple there stories are so different that they have to be lying. If the Jury can focus on this then they will really see what truly happened on that night. This detail may seem minor, but just a minor shift in the confessions could alter the fate of the case drastically. Then there's Bob Ewell. During his cross examination Atticus got him to write his name with his dominant hand. His left hand. He even agreed with Atticus that the attacker must be left handed. Then when Mayella said that Tom Robinson did it they had him stand up. They then witnessed that Tom barely had a left hand. His hand was caught in a machine when he was young. Now he has a crippled hand that could not have possibly caused the injuries on Mayella. So this shows us that Tom could not have possibly have done it. Then there's the part where Atticus asks Mayella about her brothers. Why hadn't they come first instead of her father. Where where they?

Atticus throughout his cross examination proved what a real lawyer he was. When the testimonies of the Ewell did not match up Atticus was on top of it. Then there was the questioning of Mayella after Tom stood up. He asked mayella if it was Tom who rapped her and when she said yes he hit her with the most powerful one word question this world has ever seen."How?"  This question is so powerful that it pretty much destroyed Mr. Gilmer's case. Tom couldn't have chocked Mayella around the neck because he doesn't have both hands and he also couldn't have beat her on the right side because he physically can't. Atticus completely destroyed the states case because while Mr. Gilmer had the laid back strategy of just letting the towns ignorance do its work Atticus worked hard for it. He wants to win this case to save a life. Mr. Gilmer could care less if Tom dies or not, but Atticus does because he has a drive to let this man come home to his family. This shows us what a real man of integrity Atticus is. Not giving up and working hard for a man's life.

Mayella is a Sour Patch Kid

I know what you're thinking, this title is bizarre. Hold on one second I can explain, my title is a metaphor. Like they say in the commercials for Sour Patch Kids, "First they're sour, then they're sweet." To me, this describes Mayella's personality during her cross examination. At first, Atticus was acting calm and being polite to Mayella. He used words like ma'am and friend which Mayella did not like. She thought those words were disrespectful and mean. In reality, they were positive things. The reason she thought those were disrespectful was that she has never been given respect nor had a friend. Mayella was being sour

After a few questions, Mayella starts to become sweet. She trusts Atticus, and she becomes calmer and nicer. All of a sudden, Atticus changes paces during the cross examination. He starts to pellet her with questions. He keeps asking questions, and he gets Mayella to admit that Bob is abusive when he drinks. This destroys the relationship the jury had with Bob Ewell. Atticus has managed to destroy the credibility of Bob because of Mayella. Also, Mayella and Bob's testimonies of what happened were different showing something was not right. Now we have more evidence showing that it may have been Bob who beat up Mayella not Tom.