Rhetorical Analysis Essay On To Kill A Mockingbird

There are many things that give an individual power, wealth fame and more. In “To Kill A Mockingbird”, the trial between Tom and Mayella, Mayella wins because of her power. What makes Mayella powerful? Although Mayella is powerless when it comes to class and gender, her race ultimately makes her powerful. First, because of her class Mayella is powerless. One supporting statement is shown when Scout says “White people wouldn’t have anything to do with her because she lived among pigs”(Doc E). Another statement shows that Mayella felt as if Atticus was trying to exacerbate her by calling her ma’am when she says “Long’s he keeps callin’ me ma’am and saying Miss Mayella. I don’t hafta take his sass, I ain’t called upon to take it.”(Doc C). …show more content…
One example of the troubles gender causes Mayella is shown when Tom says “Bob threatened to kill her”(Doc B). When Tom says “there is evidence to indicate Mayella was beaten savagely by someone who led with his left”(Doc B) shows the physical abuse Mayella’s gender causes her. The sexual abuse Mayella’s gender causes for her is shown when Mayella says “I never kissed a grown man before… what my papa does to me doesn’t count”(Doc B). Since she is a woman in her time period Mayella’s gender causes problems and makes her powerless. Although Mayella’s class and gender make her powerless, there is one thing that makes her powerful; Her race. When Tom says “I was scared i’d have to face up for something I didn’t do”(Doc D) a small amount of Mayella’s power is shown. Mayella’s power is also shown when Atticus states “The Ewells are confident the jury will assume all Negroes are bad”(Doc D). The most prodigious show of power comes when Reverend Sykes states “I’ve never seen the jury vote in favor of a black man over a white man.”(Doc D).Even though Mayella’s class and gender make her powerless, her race ultimately makes her