Tom Robinson's Use Of Logistical Appeal In To Kill A Mockingbird

In the class reenactment of Tom Robinson’s trial in To Kill a Mockingbird, the most memorable scene was Lindsay Philips’s portrayal of Mayella Ewell’s testimony. The manner in which Lindsay imbued emotion into her part and reflected the disposition of her character through body language and speech was commendable. This made Mayella’s character seem genuine and all the more convincing. The use of emotional and logistical appeal not only helps to establish the credibility of the characters, but also affects the outcome of the trial within To Kill a Mockingbird. By abruptly beginning to cry on the witness stand, Mayella employs a tactic of making the jury sympathize with her, “‘Him.’ She [Mayella] points at Atticus. [Gilmer:] ‘Mr. Finch?’ [Mayella:] ‘Don’t want him doin’ me like he done Pap, tryin’ to make him out left-handed’” (Lee’s Script 7). These words urge Judge Taylor to reassure Mayella of the fact that he will not allow Atticus to intimidate her, proving the success of her pathos strategy, by painting herself as the fragile victim, which eventually plays into her credibility. Credibility is an essential factor when the testimonies from the plaintiff and the defendant conflict, and …show more content…
Atticus makes a powerful statement about the equal status of men in society, regardless of their income or intelligence. In this argument, he uses simple logic to corroborate his point - not every man is the same, but he must be treated fairly in court. While he does not explicitly refer to race, Atticus implies that Tom Robinson should not be convicted solely because he is a black man being accused by a white