What happened in the Scottsboro trial?
The charge of raping white women was an explosive accusation, and within two weeks the Scottsboro Boys were convicted and eight sentenced to death, the youngest, Leroy Wright at age 13, to life imprisonment. …
What is the main idea of the Scottsboro trial?
Part A: Which statement BEST identifies the CENTRAl IDEA of the text? The Scottsboro Boys’ trials showed the enormous degree of racial inequality that existed in the United States’ criminal justice system.
What is the Scottsboro trial in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Although To Kill a Mockingbird is a work of fiction, the rape trial of Tom Robinson at the center of the plot is based on several real trials of black men accused of violent crimes that took place during the years before Lee wrote her book. Lee does not exaggerate the racism in her account.
What does mayella tell Judge Taylor she is scared of?
When Judge Taylor asks Mayella who she is afraid of, Mayella points towards Atticus Finch. Judge Taylor is surprised, and Mayella proceeds to say, “Don’t want him doin’ me like he done Papa, tryin’ to make him out left-handed…” (Lee 110).
When did Tom Kiss mayella?
He describes how Mayella had him come in, then asked him to get something off of the chiffarobe; he grabbed a chair, did so, and then Mayella grabbed him around the legs, then hugged him around the waist, and then, “she reached up an’ kissed me ‘side of th’ face.” So, according to Tom Robinson, she did kiss him, on the …
Does Bob Ewell kiss mayella?
Ewell has been dead a long time. The only explanation is that Bob is raping Mayella. When he sees her kiss Tom Robinson through the window, he got furious with Mayella. Within his rage, it is highly likely that Bob Ewell beat Mayella, and then raped her yet again.
Why does Tom Kiss mayella?
Mayella Ewell tries to kiss Tom Robinson because she’s sexually attracted to him. That being the case, making a move on Tom is not just an expression of repressed lust; it’s an affirmation of Mayella’s white privilege.
What does Tom say happened when mayella invited him inside?
What does Tom say happened when Mayella invited him inside? She tried to kiss him. He tried to give Mayella a hug and she went crazy.
What really happened between mayella and Tom?
What really happened that fateful night is that Mayella Ewell was lonely, and Tom Robinson was young, strong and attractive. She wanted him to kiss her, because she was falling in love with him. Her father caught them, and she made up the story about being raped to avoid her father’s wrath.
Why does Tom run a sign of guilt after mayella jumps on him?
Tom runs because he is afraid of being seen with a white woman. Tom Robinson never did anything to Mayella Ewell. He felt sorry for her because she was alone and had a lot of younger siblings to take care of, so he tried to help her.
Why is dill so upset at the end of Chapter 19?
The sensitive Dill cries in the courtroom because Mr. Gilmer, the attorney for the prosecution, questions Tom in a such a cruel and devious manner that it clearly indicates his racial bias. When Tom Robinson is on the stand, Atticus asks him questions in the same manner in which he speaks to the Ewells or anyone else.
What mistake does Tom make in talking about mayella?
The mistake that Tom made was feeling sorry for a white woman, when whites are supposed to be superior to blacks. By feeling sorry for Mayella, Tom put himself above her. This is the ultimate mistake for a black man in a town like Maycomb.
What is Tom actually guilty of?
Tom Robinson is found guilty by the all-white jury but is innocent of the charges of raping Mayella Ewell. Atticus proves Tom is not guilty by showing that it was impossible for Tom to hit Mayella and blacken her right eye with his deformed left arm.
Why does Dill cry in the courtroom?
Dill starts to cry in the courtroom in To Kill a Mockingbird because he is disgusted and upset with the way Mr. Gilmer blatantly disrespects Tom Robinson during his cross-examination.
Why does Dill become sick?
As was mentioned in the previous post, Dill becomes sick when he sees how Mr. Gilmer is disrespectfully speaking to Tom. In the middle of the cross-examination, Dill begins to cry. Scout does not get a chance to hear the rest of Tom’s testimony because Jem makes her take Dill out of the courtroom.
What code does Atticus say mayella has broken?
Atticus says that Mayella feels guilty for breaking this “rigid and time-honored code” by attempting to have sex with Tom. Having been caught in violation of the code, she responds by lashing out at Tom, blaming him for all that has happened, and accusing him of rape.
Why does Dill want to be a clown?
Dill’s career choice as a clown stems from the unhappiness he has experienced and witnessed. Dill decides he wants to be a clown because clowns are always happy–always laughing at the audience and making other people smile and feel good.
How does Dill react to the verdict?
The reaction to the verdict Dill responds by saying he will one day become a clown – a new kind of clown who laughs at people – thus separating himself from other people of Maycomb, in particular his Aunt Rachel for whom he has lost all respect towards.
Is Mr dolphus an evil man?
Scout says that “Mr. Dolphus Raymond was an evil man.” Is she right? This chapter proves that he is not evil; he is simply misunderstood and has received a bad reputation because society doesn’t understand his choices.
How does Bob Ewell react to the verdict?
What is Bob Ewell’s response to the verdict? He is relieved because he doesn’t have to worry about it and he was angry at Atticus for embarrassing him in front of the court. Explain why “it’s not time to worry yet.” They will file an appeal.
Why do Jem Scout and Dill leave the courtroom?
this would be your answer: Jem, Dill, and Scout leave the courtroom in Chapter 21 after Calpurnia gives Judge Taylor a note from Alexandra asking where the children are. Mr. Underwood speaks up and tells Atticus that the children have been sitting in the colored balcony since 1:18 pm.
Why did Atticus lose the case?
In the trial conducted in the courtroom, Atticus loses. All three lack the racism that the crowd of white faces in the courtroom propagates. Jem, Scout, and Dill are segregated even from the other children, who have taunted Jem and Scout for loving Black people.
Why does Scout punch Jem in the mouth?
Hence, all in all, Jem and Scout begin to fight because ridicule from racial tensions is wearing Jem down emotionally. In addition, Jem is growing up, which makes Scout feel inferior to him, leading to further fighting.
What bad news does Atticus bring home?
What bad news does Atticus bring home? The bad news is that Tom had attempted escape and had been killed by guards.