Why Does Mayella Ewell Lie During The Trial Analysis
I am reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and I am on page 281. This book is about racism, which is showcased in a trial. A low-class white family, the Ewells, are suing a black man, Tom Robinson, on accounts of raping Mayella Ewell. The case mostly boils down to Ewell’s word against Tom Robinson's word. The only concrete evidence is the bruises Mayella sustained. In this journal, I will be predicting and questioning.
G- After reading the entire trial besides the verdict, I predict that Tom Robinson will be found not guilty. Y- Tom did not hit Mayella. R- She sustained bruises on the right side of her face.
She was most likely hit with a left hand.
Tom Robinson is crippled.
If he hit her as Mayella says - complications …show more content…
One reason may be that she is afraid of her father, Robert E. Lee Ewell. While questioning all three witnesses, it is found that Mr. Ewell may have been the one to hit Mayella. During Mr. Ewells testimony, we learn he writes with his left hand. This means his left hand is dominant, and it’s possible for him to have hit Mayella’s right side easily. He also would have a supposed reason. According to Tom Robinson, he saw Mayella kiss him. This would’ve induced anger and he is already known to not be tolerable when he is drinking. Another reason Mayella may be afraid of him is based on his past activity. Not only does he drink away their money, but he also breaks laws. This shows his overall character, and Mayella even claims that he is not good to be around when drunk. This shows that she could easily be afraid of him based on his actions and character. Another reason Mayella may lie is because she wants to cover up her actions towards Tom Robinson. As Atticus claims, “Tom Robinson was a daily reminder of what she did. What did she do? She tempted a negro” (Lee 272). She already knew Tom from the many odd jobs she’d have him do. Mayella would talk to him while he did such jobs. This shows she may have already had some feeling for him. She also, according to Tom during the trial, hit on him. She first hugged him while he was getting something for her, and then Mayella kissed him as her father looked in. Needing an excuse, Mayella claimed Tom raped her in order to cover her social crime. In conclusion, Mayella lied in the trial because she was afraid of her father and the social consequences of kissing a black
G- After reading the entire trial besides the verdict, I predict that Tom Robinson will be found not guilty. Y- Tom did not hit Mayella. R- She sustained bruises on the right side of her face.
She was most likely hit with a left hand.
Tom Robinson is crippled.
If he hit her as Mayella says - complications …show more content…
One reason may be that she is afraid of her father, Robert E. Lee Ewell. While questioning all three witnesses, it is found that Mr. Ewell may have been the one to hit Mayella. During Mr. Ewells testimony, we learn he writes with his left hand. This means his left hand is dominant, and it’s possible for him to have hit Mayella’s right side easily. He also would have a supposed reason. According to Tom Robinson, he saw Mayella kiss him. This would’ve induced anger and he is already known to not be tolerable when he is drinking. Another reason Mayella may be afraid of him is based on his past activity. Not only does he drink away their money, but he also breaks laws. This shows his overall character, and Mayella even claims that he is not good to be around when drunk. This shows that she could easily be afraid of him based on his actions and character. Another reason Mayella may lie is because she wants to cover up her actions towards Tom Robinson. As Atticus claims, “Tom Robinson was a daily reminder of what she did. What did she do? She tempted a negro” (Lee 272). She already knew Tom from the many odd jobs she’d have him do. Mayella would talk to him while he did such jobs. This shows she may have already had some feeling for him. She also, according to Tom during the trial, hit on him. She first hugged him while he was getting something for her, and then Mayella kissed him as her father looked in. Needing an excuse, Mayella claimed Tom raped her in order to cover her social crime. In conclusion, Mayella lied in the trial because she was afraid of her father and the social consequences of kissing a black