Editor's Choice
Who is more responsible for Tom Robinson's false accusation: Bob Ewell or Mayella Ewell?
Quick answer:
While both Bob and Mayella Ewell play roles in Tom Robinson's false accusation, Mayella bears more responsibility as she directly accused Tom of rape. Despite being a victim of societal pressures and her father's influence, Mayella's actions led to Tom's trial. Bob Ewell's role is significant too, as he supports and perpetuates the false accusation, but Mayella's initial claim is the catalyst for the events that follow.
In a way, both Tom Robinson and Mayella Ewell are both victims. Tom Robinson is guilty of no more than being a good neighbor, and feeling sorry for a white woman. In Maycomb, feeling sorry for a white woman was a capital offense.
“And so a quiet, respectable, humble Negro who had the unmitigated temerity to ‘feel sorry’ for a white woman has had to put his word against two white people’s. (ch 19)
Mayella was an innocent girl, but she did accuse Tom Robinson. As Atticus points out to the jury, Mayella behaved as a child. She just tried to push the responsibility for her actions onto others.
She has committed no crime, she has merely broken a rigid and time-honored code of our society, a code so severe that whoever breaks it is hounded from our midst as unfit to live with. (ch 21)
However, if I was going to choose who was more responsible, it is definitely Mayella. She is the one who cried rape.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.