Mayella Is Responsible For Tom Robinson's Death

Atticus says he has sympathy for Mayella but her poor situation in life does not justify her putting Tom 's life in danger. Atticus then uses the logical evidence that Mayella

So Tom tries to get on Mayella´s good side by helping her with some tasks. While Tom was helping Mayella with some chores she accused Tom of

Mayella’s proof there were marks from her father beating her, so everyone believed Mayella about what Tom didn’t do. I believe that Tom should not have tried to help because he did and then he fell right into the trap of Mayella Ewell trying to get him in trouble. Therefore I believe that Tom is at fault for part of this, but Mayella and the community are definitely at

While the accused Tom Robinson gave his testimony, he included a small detail that slightly entailed what Mayella’s father does to her. Tom attested, “She says

pg 272 This quote is significant because it testifies that Mayella has falsely accuse Tom of raping her to protect her from embarrassment. Furthermore, it reveals Mayella’s true character as one who believe her public reputation holds more significance than the truth. One may claim that she had only lied the court to protect herself from her abusive father who may have beaten her had she told the truth. Though this is true, it is against the law to lie under oath in a courtroom, by revealing the truth she may have faced some consequences however her actions deserve

Once Atticus fully understands what he has been told by Mayella about what happened the day of the crime, he does his job as a lawyer and strongly defends Tom Robinson. He accuses Mayella of lying, knowing that she was only doing it to get what she and Maycomb wanted. “‘Tom, stand up. Let Miss Mayella have a good long look at you. Is this the man, Miss Mayella?’...

Mayella never answered the questions Atticus was asking her with complete responses. She was always looking at her father but one question she did not. When Atticus asked, “Does he ever go after you? How you mean? When he’s-riled has he ever beaten you?

but she had other plans. “Mr.Finch, I got down offa that chair an’ turned around an’ she sorta jumped on me” (pg.194) We also find out Mayella kissed Tom multiple times, and when her dad looked at them, he called a whore. “ ' What did he say, Tom? You must tell the jury what he said’.

“... It was her right eye, Mr. Finch. I remember now, she was bunged up on that side of her face…” (Lee 193), “Your left handed, Mr. Ewell … ” (Lee 201). This implies that Mayella wasn't beaten by Tom, but by Bob Ewell, her father.

Scout describes Mayella as ignorant, caused by her oblivion to the proper way to act in court. In addition, Mayella’s corruption of her father results in her point of view of the townspeople to seem rude and evil. During her testimony, she shouts through tears, “Long’s he keeps callin’ me ma’am an sayin’ Miss Mayella. I don’t hafta take his sass, I ain’t called upon to take it” (243). She interprets Atticus’ manners as imprudent, which makes her feel threatened by him despite his politeness.

Why does mayella Ewell accuse tom Robinson of raping her? Mayella Ewell accuses Tom Robinson of raping her because she is trying to cover up her own actions and protect herself from the consequence of her action. Mayella accused Tom Robinson a black male with 3 kids, who worked for mr. link deas. On his way back from work sometimes Tom Robinson helped mayella do chores around the house like chopping up a chiffarobe. One day mayella does something unexpected.

" This is trying to say that no matter what they will always belief Mayella. “Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed. ”(pg.241)This is an example of injustice and racism as well then Tom was scared he would have to go through the consequences of something

First, she had to make up a story about Tom Robinson because she had kissed a black man, which was frowned upon for a white woman to do. “She was white and she tempted a Negro. She did something that in our society in unspeakable: she kissed a black man”(272). Mayella is also used as an example when she convinces the jury to convict an innocent black man because of Southern Womanhood. “That n***** took advantage of me, an’ if you fine fancy gentlemen don’t wanna do nothin’ about it then you’re all yellow stinkin’ cowards, stinkin’ cowards, the lot of you”(251).

Mayella was not favored by the people in Maycomb. She was extremely poor and never spoke on any harassment she suffered from her father. Tom Robinson attempts to get the truth out in the open when he is giving his testimony, “She said what her papa do to her don’t count” (Doc B). Mayella doesn’t fully understand that her father is physically abusive towards her. To her it’s just love.

This is where Harper Lee tells us about what kind of person Mayella really is. Her character is presented as an ignorant girl that does what her father tells her to do. Atticus says, “ She is a victim of cruel poverty and ignorance, but I cannot pity her…” She plays a major role in Tom Robinson’s life as well as his family’s life. Her lies cost Tom his life and ruins his family’s chance for happiness.