Examples Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

Theme Essay Innocence is in people of all ages. In To Kill a Mockingbird Scout, Jem, and Dill are exposed to a rape trial. Atticus, Scout and Jem's father, is the lawyer for Tom, a black man. During the trial Atticus is treated differently along with Tom. The children don't understand why Tom is being treated unfairly because they are too young and innocent. In chapter 19 Dill cries while watching the trial. In chapter 22 Jem can’t understand how the jury could convict Tom, an innocent man. During the entire trial Scout doesn’t understand everything that’s going on. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird innocence leads to misunderstandings, people getting hurt, and outbursts. Dill represents innocence in To Kill a Mockingbird. Dill shows his innocence when he cries while watching the trial. Dill cries because Mr. Gilmer is rude to Tom. He cares for other people’s feelings which shows how innocent he really. “That old Mr. Gilmer doin’ him thataway, talking so hateful to him-” (Lee 226). Dill is sad and hurt that a person could be so rude and hateful toward another human just because he has a different skin color. Mr. Gilmer kept calling Tom “boy” to be disrespectful even when Tom was polite and called him sir. Jem feels similar to Dill as to how the trial and conviction play out. …show more content…
He is upset Tom was found guilty for raping Mayella. Jem believes the trial was unfair and doesn’t know how they could convict Tom. He is hurt because he knows Tom is innocent and the only reason Tom is convicted is because he is black and Mayella is white. “How could they do it, how could they?” (Lee 243). Jem knows Tom was only convicted because of his skin color but doesn’t know how the jury could get away with it. There was no evidence against Tom yet they still charged him with rape. Scout misunderstands what Tom is being charged of and what is going