Examples Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

788 Words4 Pages

Robert South a man known for his powerful preaching in the English church once said “Innocence is like polished armor; it adorns and defends.” In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird Scout Finch lives along with her insightful father Atticus, and brother Jem in the small town of 1930’s Maycomb, Alabama, a town of people stuck in their ways. Atticus, being one of the best lawyers in town takes on a major case, the rape of a white woman supposedly committed by a black man but the people just can’t seem to sense true innocence through their prejudice. Scout, and Jem as they explore their small town know of a child who everyone is terrified of, and jokes about but they are capable of ignoring all the rumors so he becomes giving, and caring toward …show more content…

Mayella Ewell the girl who Tom is accused of raping had bruises, and a beat up face from the seen, but this was from someone who led with their left hand, and Mr. Robinson “swore out a warrant, no doubt signing it with his left hand, and Tom Robinson now sits before you, having taken the oath with the only good hand he possesses- his right hand.” (Lee 204) Tom’s hand shows he is innocent, he couldn’t have possibly beaten Mayella so savagely with his non dominant hand. Tom is represented by the mockingbird when he is proven innocent by Atticus. The jury destroyed his innocence when they convicted him of a crime he did not commit, even when the evidence is on his side. Tom is prejudged when people assume he is guilty just because of his race which destroys his innocence. After Atticus shares his closing statement he says, “In the name of God, believe him” (Lee 206) Atticus knows the jury will have a hard time believing his statement because of Tom’s skin color. The whole courtroom heard the evidence and understands that Mr. Robinson is innocent in their head, but their eyes deceive them because of the society they were brought up in where they believe other races are not equal. Tom Robinson is clearly innocent, but the evidence is avoided by the jury proving he is similar to the mocking bird and it being

Open Document