Why does Tom say he helped mayella?
Tom helps Mayella because he feels sorry for her. This was his downfall, for a black man to feel sorry for a white woman. In that era, racism upheld that prohibition. This statement by Tom is probably what got him convicted.
What is the significance of Tom Robinson?
The trial of Tom Robinson is symbolic of the killing of a mockingbird, which is (in turn) symbolic of the destruction of innocence. Tom Robinson, is found guilty of the rape of Mayella Ewell, despite his actual innocence. The reason for the guilty verdict lies in the prejudice of those around him.
Why did dill feel sick?
As was mentioned in the previous post, Dill becomes sick when he sees how Mr. Gilmer is disrespectfully speaking to Tom. In the middle of the cross-examination, Dill begins to cry. Scout does not get a chance to hear the rest of Tom’s testimony because Jem makes her take Dill out of the courtroom.
Why does Tom run a sign of guilt after mayella jumps on him?
Tom runs because he is afraid of being seen with a white woman. Tom Robinson never did anything to Mayella Ewell. He felt sorry for her because she was alone and had a lot of younger siblings to take care of, so he tried to help her.
What was the subtlety of Tom’s predicament on the day mayella tried to seduce him?
What is the “subtlety of Tom’s predicament” as Scout sees it? When she attacked him, if Tom fought Mayella off, he would have been arrested for attacking a white woman. If he fled, it would look like he was guilty. There was no good option for him because he is black.
Why was Tom afraid of mayella?
Why was Tom afraid to push Mayella out of the way? Tom “would not have dared strike a white woman under any circumstances and expect to live long. . . .” When Tom was approached by Mayella, he did something which Scout says was a sure sign of guilt. Tom ran, which Scout considers a sign of guilt.
What really happened between mayella and Tom?
Hover for more information. Tom testified that Mayella called him in to help her, and then she tried to kiss him. Tom says that he tipped his hat to Mayella as he passed by her place, and last spring she had asked him to bust up a chiffarobe for her. She offered him a nickel, but he didn’t take it.
How does Tom Robinson show integrity?
Tom is not intimidated by the racist jury and boldly tells the truth during his testimony. Tom also shows courage by attempting to escape from the Enfield Prison Farm. He decides to take his fate into his own hands and does not stop when the prison guards command him to halt.
Why can’t Helen Robinson get work?
Why can’t Helen Robinson work and support her three children? No one would give her a job because she is related to Tom Robinson and no one in Maycomb wants anything to do with Tom and his family. In this chapter, the children begin to really “know” the woman who cares for them.
Why did dill cry at the end of Chapter 19?
Dill cries because he was so horrified at the treatment of Tom Robinson at the hands of Mr. Gilmer. The behavior of Mr. Gilmer was extremely disrespectful and rude, calling Tom Robinson “boy” and giving him dirty looks, but the crowd was so used to this course of action that they just took it for granted.
How is Tom Robinson characterized by the Ewells?
While the Ewells use their white privilege to harm Tom, Tom is vulnerable because he is black and cannot defend himself. Tom is an honest, God-fearing, hard-working family man while Bob Ewell is a dishonest, shiftless, jobless man who drinks up his welfare check and rarely provides for his family.
Why does dill get so upset at Mr Gilmer?
Dill is offended that Mr. Gilmer is mistreating Atticus’s client and sympathizes with Tom, who is defenseless against Mr. Gilmer’s verbal abuse. Dill’s inability to control his emotions also reveals his childhood innocence and lack of self-control.