Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why does Mayella feel that Atticus is mocking her?
Why does Mayella feel that Atticus is mocking her?
Atticus refers to Mayella as ma'am and miss.
What does Mayella say happened?
What does Mayella say happened?
Mayella says that Tom raped her and choked her when she called him over to help her chop up a dresser.
How does Mayella's version contradict her father's?
How does Mayella's version contradict her father's?
Mr. Ewell claimed that he saw Tom Robinson rape her, but Mayella claims that Tom came in and hollered, who did it?
Why does Atticus begin by asking Mayella a lot of questions about herself and her family?
Why does Atticus begin by asking Mayella a lot of questions about herself and her family?
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What does Tom say happened?
What does Tom say happened?
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Where were the other Ewells on the day of the alleged rape?
Where were the other Ewells on the day of the alleged rape?
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What does Tom Robinson do after Mayella allegedly raped him?
What does Tom Robinson do after Mayella allegedly raped him?
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What does Link Deas say about Tom Robinson that helps Atticus's case?
What does Link Deas say about Tom Robinson that helps Atticus's case?
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What was Mr. Gilmer's cross-examination of Tom Robinson?
What was Mr. Gilmer's cross-examination of Tom Robinson?
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When Tom admits that he feels sorry for Mayella Ewell, how do white people in the court react?
When Tom admits that he feels sorry for Mayella Ewell, how do white people in the court react?
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Why does Dill start crying and have to exit the courtroom?
Why does Dill start crying and have to exit the courtroom?
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Why does Dolphus Raymond pretend to drink liquor? What does Scout think of this?
Why does Dolphus Raymond pretend to drink liquor? What does Scout think of this?
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How does Dolphus Raymond explain Dill crying?
How does Dolphus Raymond explain Dill crying?
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What does Jem believe the verdict will be?
What does Jem believe the verdict will be?
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What surprising thing does Atticus do at the end of his speech to the jury?
What surprising thing does Atticus do at the end of his speech to the jury?
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What motivated Mayella Ewell to accuse Tom of raping her?
What motivated Mayella Ewell to accuse Tom of raping her?
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What does Calpurnia's note to Atticus say?
What does Calpurnia's note to Atticus say?
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What does Reverend Sykes say about his experiences in the court?
What does Reverend Sykes say about his experiences in the court?
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What is the verdict of the jury?
What is the verdict of the jury?
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What does Atticus mean when he says, 'it seems only that only children weep'?
What does Atticus mean when he says, 'it seems only that only children weep'?
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What does Dill want to be when he grows up?
What does Dill want to be when he grows up?
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What kind of clown does Dill say he wants to be?
What kind of clown does Dill say he wants to be?
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Who does Atticus believe actually beat Mayella?
Who does Atticus believe actually beat Mayella?
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What is actually in Dolphus Raymond's brown bag?
What is actually in Dolphus Raymond's brown bag?
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How old is Mayella?
How old is Mayella?
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What happened to Tom's left arm?
What happened to Tom's left arm?
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Why did Tom say he ran away even though he was innocent?
Why did Tom say he ran away even though he was innocent?
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What happened to Link Deas when he stood up and vouched for Tom's character?
What happened to Link Deas when he stood up and vouched for Tom's character?
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Why did Mr. Gilmer trick Tom into saying he felt sorry for Mayella?
Why did Mr. Gilmer trick Tom into saying he felt sorry for Mayella?
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What shocking thing does Atticus do that shocks even his children? Why does he do this?
What shocking thing does Atticus do that shocks even his children? Why does he do this?
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Why was Tom's left hand such an important piece of evidence?
Why was Tom's left hand such an important piece of evidence?
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What day did the incident occur?
What day did the incident occur?
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Where did Mayella say she was on the day she got raped, before the incident occurred?
Where did Mayella say she was on the day she got raped, before the incident occurred?
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What excuse did Mayella give for not remembering the attack?
What excuse did Mayella give for not remembering the attack?
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What time was it when Atticus called up his only witness? Who was the witness?
What time was it when Atticus called up his only witness? Who was the witness?
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Why did Mayella burst into tears?
Why did Mayella burst into tears?
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How did Mayella get Tom to come inside the house?
How did Mayella get Tom to come inside the house?
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How did Mayella answer for her right eye being blackened?
How did Mayella answer for her right eye being blackened?
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Why did Mayella jump a little when asked if November 21st was the first time she asked Tom to come inside the fence?
Why did Mayella jump a little when asked if November 21st was the first time she asked Tom to come inside the fence?
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Why was Atticus smiling when it was his turn to cross-examine Mayella?
Why was Atticus smiling when it was his turn to cross-examine Mayella?
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How does Mayella respond when Atticus asks her if she loves her father?
How does Mayella respond when Atticus asks her if she loves her father?
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How does Mayella's appearance differ from her father's?
How does Mayella's appearance differ from her father's?
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How old is Tom Robinson?
How old is Tom Robinson?
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Why does Atticus bring up Tom's past disorderly conduct charge?
Why does Atticus bring up Tom's past disorderly conduct charge?
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Why did Tom have to pass by the Ewell house every day?
Why did Tom have to pass by the Ewell house every day?
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What did the black community do to express their gratitude for Atticus? Why?
What did the black community do to express their gratitude for Atticus? Why?
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Why were the kids told to get off the streets after the trial?
Why were the kids told to get off the streets after the trial?
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What does Ms. Maudie say about the trial?
What does Ms. Maudie say about the trial?
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Study Notes
Mayella's Testimony and Accusations
- Mayella Ewell feels mocked by Atticus due to his respectful address of her as "ma'am" and "miss."
- She claims that Tom Robinson raped and choked her while asking for help with a dresser.
- Mayella's narrative contradicts her father Bob Ewell's, who asserts he witnessed the assault.
Atticus's Strategy and Evidence
- Atticus questions Mayella about her family background to reveal her loneliness and possibly trap her in inconsistencies.
- Tom Robinson testifies that Mayella initiated a kiss, contradicting her accusations.
- On the day of the alleged incident, Mayella had saved money to take her siblings to town, meaning her father and siblings were absent.
Tom Robinson’s Actions and Character Evidence
- Tom ran away from the Ewell home, fearing unjust repercussions despite his innocence.
- Link Deas, Tom's employer, testifies that Tom has been trouble-free for eight years, supporting Tom's character.
Courtroom Dynamics and Reactions
- Mr. Gilmer cross-examines Tom relentlessly, attempting to confuse him with rapid questioning.
- The courtroom is shocked when Tom expresses sympathy for Mayella, seen as offensive by the white audience.
- Dill becomes upset over the injustice he witnesses, leading him to leave the courtroom.
Public Perception and Verdict
- Dolphus Raymond pretends to drink liquor to explain his lifestyle choices to society; Scout perceives this as odd.
- Reverend Sykes reflects on racial biases in jury decisions, noting never seeing a jury favor a black man.
- The jury ultimately finds Tom guilty, despite Tom's innocence.
Atticus's Closing Arguments and Observations
- Atticus adopts a more casual demeanor to connect with the jurors, removing his coat and loosening his attire.
- His message emphasizes the hypocrisy surrounding racism and societal prejudices against African-Americans.
- Mayella's accusations seem motivated by her guilt and fear over her past actions rather than truth.
Subsequent Developments and Community Support
- Calpurnia communicates with Atticus about the children's absence during the trial.
- Following the trial's outcome, the black community expresses gratitude to Atticus with gifts, acknowledging his effort despite the loss.
- Bob Ewell threatens Atticus after the verdict, prompting concerns for the children's safety and calls for them to stay off the streets.
Character and Contextual Insights
- Mayella, at nineteen and a half, lives in a harsh environment, characterized by her cleanliness compared to her father's disheveled appearance.
- Tom Robinson, age 25, has a significant physical scar from a childhood accident that makes instances of left-handed aggression relevant to the case.
- Dill aspires to be a clown, representing innocence and a quest for humor amidst troubling societal issues.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Explore key themes and events from Chapters 18 to 22 of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' with these study guide flashcards. Understand the testimonies presented during the trial and the implications for the characters involved, particularly Mayella and Tom Robinson.