Illustration of a bird perched on a scale of justice

To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

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Student Question

Would you have doubted Tom Robinson's guilt if you were on the jury?

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Certainly, because during the historical period in which the book is patterned after, African Americans knew the consequences of associating with white women and would have no doubt, regardless of their educational background, refrained from intimacy. Furthermore, the fact that Atticus proved that Robinson could not have raped Mayella by...

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pitching a ball to prove that one arm was useless proves that a false account was given. This evidence alone should have exonerated Robinson.

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What's more, every one on the jury is aware of Tom's innocence. They, along with the judge, are too intelligent to believe that Tom is responsible for any damage to Mayella. Mayella herself confesses on the stand that she lured Tom in the house and she contradicts herself enough to make us aware that she has concoted the whole story. Jem sums it up best, after the verdict is announced:

"How could they do it, how could they?"

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Absolutely! Any non-racist jury could not have convicted Tom. As Atticus points out, Tom's arm had been useless to him for many years due to a farming accident. It was impossible for Tom to have grabbed, choked and "taken advantage" of Mayella as she described.

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