Tom Robinson Trial

Words: 564
Pages: 3

“I’m simply defending a Negro--his name’s Tom Robinson”(Lee 75). Atticus Finch explains to his young daughter a very risky and life altering decision that goes against the norm of the time. Written by Harper Lee, To Kill a MockingBird is based in Maycomb, Alabama during the great depression. To Kill a Mockingbird tells the story of Atticus Finch going against society's racist beliefs and doing what he believed to be right. Atticus is to defend Tom Robinson, a negro in the Ewell v. Robinson rape case where he being accused of attacking and raping a young white girl, Mayella Ewell. The mainly white community has a hard time supporting Atticus’ decision to defend a negro as well as the all white jury finding Robinson guilty even though the evidence …show more content…
In chapter 11 Scout tells Atticus ‘’You must be wrong...” Atticus replies, “How’s that?" “Well, most folks seem to think they're right and you're wrong...."(Lee 139). The majority of Maycomb believes that it is wrong that Atticus is defending Tom Robinson in court because he is a negro. Although Atticus realizes this, he sticks to his conscience and does what’s right by defending Tom in court. Nobody would bat an eye if he were to represent a White person in the courtroom. Throughout the trial Atticus is called many names, such as “nigger lover”. These examples show how racism is being displayed by the community of Maycomb.
In conclusion, racism is mainly exhibited through the Tom Robinson case, and the Maycomb community. Tom Robinson is falsely accused by a jury of white individuals and the community cannot support Atticus’s decision to defend Tom in the courtroom. Although the theme of racism is presented by Scouts curiosity, the Robinson Trial and the Maycomb community mainly exhibit racism. Nearly eighty years after this novel is based, the colored American society still faces inequality in the court system. One thing that society can learn from this is not to judge a book by it’s