Question

During the trial, what do Bob and Mayella say happened to Mayella?

Accepted Answer

During the trial, Bob and Mayella say Tom Robinson raped Mayella.
When Bob is questioned, he says the rape occurred on the night of November the twenty-first. He claims he was coming out of the woods with a load of kindling when he heard Mayella scream in the house. He then dropped the bundle of wood and ran towards the house. When he looked in the window, he saw Tom raping his daughter.
Bob testifies that he ran around the house to get at Tom, but Tom escaped through the front door. He also states that Tom left Mayella with a black eye and other injuries on her head, neck, and arms. Atticus points out Bob failed to get Mayella medical attention for her injuries.
Meanwhile, Mayella testifies that Tom attacked her right after she asked him to chop up a chiffarobe (dresser) for her. According to her testimony, Tom choked her, beat her about the face, and then raped her.

Answer

Both characters testify that Tom Robinson assaulted and raped Mayella Ewell on the evening of November 21st. Bob Ewell testifies that he initially looked through the window to discover that the furniture inside the home was "slung about" and witnessed Tom Robinson running from his home while he was attempting to open the gate to his yard. Bob also testifies that he immediately ran to get Sheriff Tate after seeing his daughter on the ground. During Atticus's cross-examination, Bob testifies that the majority of Mayella's bruises were located on the right side of her face and confirms Sheriff Tate's testimony.
Mayella testifies that she initially asked Tom to "bust up this chiffarobe" for a nickel and went into her home to grab a nickel to pay him. She then claims that Tom attacked her from behind, grabbed her by the neck, and proceeded to beat her. According to Mayella, she desperately fought back but could not prevent Tom from raping her. After being raped, Mayella testifies that she woke up to her father hollering at her before fainting and waking up to see Sheriff Tate.
During Atticus's cross-examination, Mayella contradicts her testimony and cannot recall whether or not she remembers Tom beating her in the face. She also refuses to answer several of Atticus's questions and it is clear to the reader that Mayella's story is completely fabricated.

To Kill a Mockingbird

During the trial, what do Bob and Mayella say happened to Mayella?

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