Tom Robinson Trial Essay

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Pages: 8
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Statement of Issue
The issue I will address in this response is whether Tom Robinson is guilty or innocent of the crime of raping Mayella Ewell.

Clarification of the Issues
A To be innocent is to be not guilty of a crime or of an offense.
B To be guilty is to be punishable and responsible for a violation of criminal law.
C Rape is constituted as unlawful sexually activity or advances agaisnt another person who is incapable of valid consent, is under the threat of injury, or unable to give consent.
D Tom Robinson is handicapped, by having his left arm paralyzed.
E Mayella Ewell is so poverty-stricken that she is an outcast in society, which is the root of her crippling loneliness; and also the cause of the rape accusations of Tom Robinson. …show more content…
Tom Robinson only had one working hand. Bob Ewell claims one of his hands works as good as the other. If Tom Robinson physically cannot use his one hand, it is impossible for him to have held Mayella down and hit her at the same time. Bob ewell admitted that both of his hands were strong and worked good, so he easily could have done it.
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Mayella confessed she didn't have any friends, this is another factor for her loneliness. Tom Robinson testified he ‘felt bad’ for Mayella. He felt bad because she was so lonely, abused, and an outcast in Maycomb. Tom Robinson also testified that while Mayella was making advances on him, she confessed she had never been kissed by/kissed a man before, and her ‘daddy didn't count’
Mayella Ewell and Atticus Finch- “Miss Mayella, a 19-year-old girl like you must have friends. Who are your friends?” Mayella frowns. “Friends?” “ Yes don't you know anyone near your age? or older or younger, boys and girls, just ordinary friends?” Tom Robinson- She reached up an’ kissed me ‘side of th’ face. She says she never kissed a grown man before an’ she might as well kiss a nigger. She says what her papa do to her don't count. She says, ‘kiss me back nigger.’
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