Nate Hunter

August 18, 2020

 

Dear Ms. Gibson,

To Kill A Mockingbird

Harper Lee

Pages: 197 – 209

 

 

Summary: In this chapter, Mayella, the nineteen-year-old girl who accused Tom Robinson of raping her, testifies in her defense. Her testimony seems solid enough, but Atticus points out that Robinson couldn’t have bruised her with his left hand, which was ripped up by a cotton gin when he was young, or that other children would’ve heard her screams and came running. Mayella breaks down into tears, saying that the rest of the court would be full of cowards if they did not convict Robinson. A recess is called, and Atticus decides to call his single witness.

 

 

Response: I love this part because it speaks volumes about Atticus as a person. Anyone in this situation may believe this girl. She has seven unhelpful siblings, an abusive father, and no friends, so it is incredibly hard to press her without feeling horrible. But Atticus presses on, and doesn’t let sympathy get in the way of the truth. Atticus isn’t influenced by the racism of his home, and he won’t let an innocent man die just because of the color of his skin. Even if that includes making a suffering girl cry, Atticus will do it. Even if making a young woman with an awful life feel even more miserable is the right thing to do, Atticus will do it. Atticus will not let an innocent man suffer for the crimes he didn’t commit, with the only reason for his suffering being the color of his skin.

 

Sincerely, Nate