Theoretically, the trial of Tom Robinson taught some of the people in Maycomb that racism is wrong. The white people second-guessed their prejudices, and the black people saw a glimmer of hope.
Atticus Finch actually defended Tom Robinson, first of all. Although he was appointed, he made his best efforts. He did prove that Mayella and Bob Ewell was lying, that the crime never took place, and that Tom Robinson could not have physically committed it. When Atticus lectured the jury on racism, he was lecturing most of the town—because they were all present and watching.
[Some] Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women- black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. (ch 20)
Atticus’s words did have some effect. The jury actually deliberated before returning a guilty verdict. Although they said that only Atticus Finch could have produced this result, it does not mean they just waited around. They actually look the time to talk about the facts.
"We're the safest folks in the world," said Miss Maudie. "We're so rarely called on to be Christians, but when we are, we've got men like Atticus to go for us." (ch 22)
The trial does affect the black people. Atticus finds presents from the black community, thanking him for trying. They give what little they can. They are thanking Atticus for truly representing them, and not just sitting back and letting Tom Robinson be convicted without putting up a fight.
How did the trial of Tom Robinson negatively affect the characters in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird? I am having trouble finding evidence that Tom Robinson's trial negatively affected the black and white community. I can understand how it negatively affects the Finches, however I have had no luck finding specific evidence to explain how the black and white community are affected.
Harper Lee based her trial of Tom Robinson on the true case of The Scottsboro Boys, who were tried for the alledged rape of two white women. This trial, too, was a travesty as little evidence for the defense was heard and several of the African-Americans males were tried together. Like this real trial, the Tom Robinson trial is also a travesty of justice.
Whereas many in the Maycomb community are aware of segregations, their personal lives are not affected by particulars of this division. For instance, the children of Atticus attend Calpurnia's church and only then realize that the congregation is too poor to have prayer books; moreover, many cannot read, anyway. Jem and Scout are brought into another world when they attend the trial, a world of sordid actions and thoughts. Indeed, as one post already states, they lose their innocence. On the other hand, others gain wisdom as Mr. Underwood rises to decry in his paper the terrible injustice dealt Tom Robinson, and Jem learns of the evil that men do.
Further Reading
How did the trial of Tom Robinson negatively affect the characters in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird? I am having trouble finding evidence that Tom Robinson's trial negatively affected the black and white community. I can understand how it negatively affects the Finches, however I have had no luck finding specific evidence to explain how the black and white community are affected.
Before the trial takes place, Jem and Scout are harassed at school. The other kids fling insults at them, which Scout does not at first understand. The name calling and taunting infuriate her and hurt her pride and cause some painful confusion.
This is one negative effect of the trial, though Scout and Jem both manage to summon the moral strength they need to...
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get through the situation.
How did the trial of Tom Robinson negatively affect the characters in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird? I am having trouble finding evidence that Tom Robinson's trial negatively affected the black and white community. I can understand how it negatively affects the Finches, however I have had no luck finding specific evidence to explain how the black and white community are affected.
The lost innocence of the children--Jem, Scout and Dill--was a direct result of being witness to the trial. They witnessed a jury that refused to accept facts, instead allowing its racial prejudice to decide Tom's fate. Atticus lost friends in Maycomb, if not his reputation; Bob's hatred became even more diverse; and even Boo Radley was forced to retreat from his imposed solitude, risking his life to save the children.
How did the trial of Tom Robinson negatively affect the characters in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird? I am having trouble finding evidence that Tom Robinson's trial negatively affected the black and white community. I can understand how it negatively affects the Finches, however I have had no luck finding specific evidence to explain how the black and white community are affected.
The negative affects of the trial on the community depend upon one's point-of-view. Some characters may "believe" that the trail of Tom showed that an African American could be a good person. While they would be the last to admit this, it would be a negative aspect arising within a white community given other African Americans could be regarded in a new, and more positive, light.
How did the trial of Tom Robinson negatively affect the characters in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird? I am having trouble finding evidence that Tom Robinson's trial negatively affected the black and white community. I can understand how it negatively affects the Finches, however I have had no luck finding specific evidence to explain how the black and white community are affected.
The black community was always treated badly, of course. The trial was kind of another slap in the face to them. They are treated like they don't matter all of the time, but at the trial it was like pouring salt into a wound. The jury took the word of a white woman who was clearly lying over a black man because Tom Robinson said he felt sorry for her, which was the real sin.
"You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?" Mr. Gilmer seemed ready to rise to the ceiling.
The witness realized his mistake and shifted uncomfortably in the chair. But the damage was done. Below us, nobody liked Tom Robinson's answer. (ch 19)
Mr. Gilmer also added insult to injury by repeatedly calling Tom “boy” to belittle him.
When Atticus walked out of the courtroom, the blacks in the balcony stood in respect. They left food on his doorstep. They realized that even though he didn’t win, he tried his best. They were grateful.
The people were also all understandably saddened by Tom’s death. The black community was just that—a community. They took up a collection in church for Tom’s wife. They knew he was innocent, and the injustice of it hurt.