Tom Robinson is a character who is argued to have been prejudged by the majority of citizens in Maycomb County. Due to him being a black person, he is a victim of oppression and racism. In the novel, many people make assumptions about Tom and assume that he did rape Mayella Ewell because of his colour. During Tom’s trial, Mr. Ewell is called as a witness, and he confidently states, “I knowed who it was, all right, lived down yonder in that nigger-nest, passed the house every day... they’re dangerous to live around ‘sides devaluin’ my property,” (Lee, p. 234). Mr. Ewell indirectly claims that it is Tom Robinson who raped his daughter as Tom passes the Ewell house everyday on his way to work. Mr. Ewell uses Tom’s race as a reason for him to commit the crime and how the black people are seen as the lowest class of
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He uses the stereotype that black people are the majority of criminals and are the most dangerous people in the county. Due to Tom Robinson’s race, it made it difficult for the case to lean towards Tom. Before the trial begins, when Atticus is talking to Scout’s uncle Jack, Atticus says, “It couldn’t be worse Jack. The only thing we’ve got is a black man’s word against the Ewells’… The jury couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson’s word against the Ewells’,” (Lee, pp. 116-117). Atticus understands that the jury will not take Tom Robinsons word as he is black and although the Ewells’ are of lower class, they are still white. Tom Robinson could be an innocent man but the jury will still believe the Ewells’ more than they would Tom. Even though Tom Robinson is viewed as a criminal, he is instead down to earth and caring. At a point in the trial, Scout thinks, “Tom Robinson was probably the only person who was ever decent to her. But she said he took advantage of her, and when she stood up she looked at him as if he were dirt beneath her feet” (Lee, p. 257). Scout realizes that Tom was just trying to help Mayella and there was nothing more to
He uses the stereotype that black people are the majority of criminals and are the most dangerous people in the county. Due to Tom Robinson’s race, it made it difficult for the case to lean towards Tom. Before the trial begins, when Atticus is talking to Scout’s uncle Jack, Atticus says, “It couldn’t be worse Jack. The only thing we’ve got is a black man’s word against the Ewells’… The jury couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson’s word against the Ewells’,” (Lee, pp. 116-117). Atticus understands that the jury will not take Tom Robinsons word as he is black and although the Ewells’ are of lower class, they are still white. Tom Robinson could be an innocent man but the jury will still believe the Ewells’ more than they would Tom. Even though Tom Robinson is viewed as a criminal, he is instead down to earth and caring. At a point in the trial, Scout thinks, “Tom Robinson was probably the only person who was ever decent to her. But she said he took advantage of her, and when she stood up she looked at him as if he were dirt beneath her feet” (Lee, p. 257). Scout realizes that Tom was just trying to help Mayella and there was nothing more to