The reason Tom Robinson became afraid was because Mayella, a white woman, desired him, a black man, and in the Maycomb society, that is a disgrace with dire consequences because black people have lower social status according to the people of Maycomb. “...A quiet, respectable, humble Negro who had the unmitigated temerity to ‘feel sorry’ for a white woman has had to put his word against two white people’s” (Lee, 273). Two witnesses and the victim, who are all white, testify against Tom, a black man. Because of racism in the jury, they conclude that Tom Robinson is guilty of raping Mayella Ewell, despite contradicting evidence, and Tom goes to prison, where he meets his death. “...The guards called to him to stop. They fired a few shots in the air, then to kill… Seventeen bullet holes in him. They didn’t have to shoot him that much… I guess Tom was tired of white men’s chances and preferred to take his own” (Lee, 315). Shortly after Tom gets
The reason Tom Robinson became afraid was because Mayella, a white woman, desired him, a black man, and in the Maycomb society, that is a disgrace with dire consequences because black people have lower social status according to the people of Maycomb. “...A quiet, respectable, humble Negro who had the unmitigated temerity to ‘feel sorry’ for a white woman has had to put his word against two white people’s” (Lee, 273). Two witnesses and the victim, who are all white, testify against Tom, a black man. Because of racism in the jury, they conclude that Tom Robinson is guilty of raping Mayella Ewell, despite contradicting evidence, and Tom goes to prison, where he meets his death. “...The guards called to him to stop. They fired a few shots in the air, then to kill… Seventeen bullet holes in him. They didn’t have to shoot him that much… I guess Tom was tired of white men’s chances and preferred to take his own” (Lee, 315). Shortly after Tom gets