What does Tom Robinson suggest happened the day of the rape? Do you think the jury will believe his version of events? Explain why you think this.

      On the witness stand Tom Robinson's curtesy as well as explanation of events leads the reader and jury to believe in his innocence. On November 21 of last year in the book To Kill a Mocking Bird, Tom Robinson is said to have raped Mayella Ewell. On the witness stand Tom Robinson explains what happened that day, "And she says, 'Naw, I got somethin' for you to do in the house'... the next thing I knows she-she'd grabbed me round the legs... she hugged me round the waist... She reached up an' kissed me 'side of th' face... She says 'Kiss me back, nigger... I was runnin' so fast I didn't know what happened." (258-260) Throughout his testimony Tom Robinson states that he had no intention of, and did not, hurt or take advantage of her, he was just trying to help her with some small jobs around the house as he often does. The way he tells it, Mayella was the one trying to advance on him. The jury will believe his version of events because the way Tom Robinson tells it, by bringing in that he has done certain small jobs for her before turns it into a more "real life" situation in the fact that it didn't just happen that the one time Mayella Ewell asked Tom to do something he went and took advantage of her. Scout realizes that "Tom Robinson's manners were as good as Atticus's." (260) This gives him an advantage because the way you present yourself on the witness stand and in the court room has an affect on how the jury views you and right now the jury views Tom Robinson as a polite young black man.
      Do you think Tom Robinson will be ruled innocent or guilty? Why do you think Mayella blamed Tom Robinson for taking advantage of her if he never did? Do you think there is a connection between Mayella and her flowers?

Contrast Tom Robinson's treatment by Atticus and then by Gilmer.

            While Tom Robinson is on on the witness stand, he is asked questions by Atticus and then by Gilmer, who treat Tom in very different ways.  After the Ewells and Heck Tate have testified, Tom comes to the stand to be the last person heard before the jury makes their decision.  First, Atticus questions Tom, asking various questions about the day of the incident in a way that shows he respects Tom.  Next, Gilmer asks Tom some questions in a tone that implies that he is looking down on Tom and does not consider him an equal.  He asks them in a very demeaning way.  In the middle of the testimony, Dill starts to cry and Scout has to take him outside.  Dill says "That old Mr. Gilmer doin' him thataway, talking so hateful to him, it makes me sick, just plain sick." (226)  Even Dill, probably the most childish of them all, knows that the way Gilmer is talking to Tom is hateful and cruel.
            I believe that Harper Lee differentiated the way that Gilmer and Atticus spoke to Tom so that the reader would see just how much people's views of Tom vary.  Atticus is very kind, calm and respectful towards Tom, showing that Atticus thinks of him not only as an equal, but also as a good person on the inside.  Gilmer talks to Tom in a demeaning way, showing that he believes that Tom is not at all equal to others, that he is not only a bad person, but that he has no good to him.  Gilmer attempts to twist Tom's words to use against him, showing that Gilmer is also the type of person who would exploit small errors and use them to win, no matter what.
            One general question I have is, how do you think that the trial will end?  Will Tom be found innocent, or guilty?  We are most likely not going to hear any more of the testimonies, since Tom is the last person to testify, and Scout is not able to hear him any longer.  Also, what do you believe Scout thinks of Tom right now?  Does she think he is innocent or guilty?  How about Dill, Jem, Dolphus, Judge Taylor, or the rest of the community?

Why is Dolphus Raymond in the book?

In court, Dolphus Raymond, a spectator is described in chapter 16. Harper Lee chooses to characterize him because he represents the future. When Scout is describing the people who are in the court, she observes that the court is segregated; black people on one side and whites on the other. As she spans the room she spots Dolphus, and says: “Why’s he sitting with the colored folks?” “Always does. He likes ’em better’n he likes us, I rekon. He lives by himself way down near the county line. He’s got a colored woman and all sorts of mixed chillun”(214) At this time in history, blacks and whites had nothing to do with each other. This passage is an example of how a forward thinker Harper Lee was. Dolphus Raymond represents the future because he is a white man sitting with the blacks and the blacks accept him for who he is. Dolphus represents the “light” too, he represents the light like Atticus because he understands that Blacks are equally human beings too.  Harper Lee specifically characterizes him in this specific chapter to help show a man, like Atticus who is different in the Maycomb community.

How do you think Maycomb sees Dolphus? Do you think that he is treated the same way as Atticus? Why or why not? Do you think that Maycomb whites are all one sided towards that case, or do you think that there are some people like Atticus and Dolphus who support Tom Robinson?

Why is Dolphus Raymond in this book?

   In chapter sixteen, we learn about a new character in the book: Dolphus Raymond. Harper Lee included him in this book, to show that not only do blacks and whites treat each other differently in the community, but these two groups both look down on people with mixed racial backgrounds as well. He contradicts the traditions and reality many people in Maycomb, like Scout are familiar with.
 Dolphus Raymond is an example of someone who doesn't conform into Maycomb. Jem says that the "colored folks won't have them because they're half white. White folks won't have them because they are colored. So they are just in-betweens, they don't belong anywhere." (215) This quote shows the distinct line of the stereotypical judgement of acceptance in Maycomb. Jem is older and seems to understand how society looks upon different races, and tries to teach Scout that it doesn't matter if he's half white, if he has "a drop of Negro blood"(216) in him. In everyone's eyes, he is a black man.
   Dolphus Raymond also seems he has given up. He drinks out of a sack openly, not caring what other people would think of him. This is probably from the pain after his wife shot herself to death. But, his actions give people in Maycomb a worse impression of him. What do you think, is Dolphus ever going to gain respect?  And if Atticus wins the case, will the white people treat the blacks differently? Also, why do you think Dolphus stays in the black community?

Why is Dolphus Raymond in the book?

Mr. Dolphus Raymond was put into the story by Harper Lee to show that Maycomb, collectively, is racist and has bad judgment of the people who live there. Maycomb is a community where people who are not successful are seen nearly as low as black people. Mr. Raymond is a drunk whose life was fine until his wife shot herself. From there he has, “liked [colored people] better’n he likes us.” (214) To add to the fascination of the kids, “he’s drinkin’ out of a sack.” (214) Mr. Raymond’s alcohol is the symbol of his pain and grief. He hides his alcohol in, “a sack” and therefore also hides his pain from everyone, including himself. In contrast to Mr. Raymond, Mr. Ewell is also a drunk but openly drinks in front of the public. Maycomb has rejected both men because they do not fit the Maycomb Way. Mr. Raymond is more respected than Mr. Ewell.   Although both men are seen as drunks, Mr. Raymond is also seen as a gentleman who will not upset the ladies because of his alcohol. In reality, neither men should get respect because of their decisions.

Thoughts? Was Mr. Raymond needed in the book? Because Atticus is not a total fit to the Maycomb Way, will he end up like Mr. Raymond and Mr. Ewell? 

Free Response Post: Does the Courtroom change Atticus' Personality?

     Atticus is shown in the courtroom as a the same character, but more forceful. During the testimony of Mr. Ewell, he is respectful while also pressing his points. When asking about what happened after the rape, he says, "Did you, during all this running, run for a doctor?...But there's one thing I don't understand...Weren't you concerned with Mayella's condition?...Did you not think the nature of her injuries warranted immediate medical attention?"(234).
     The main reason why Atticus seems to be more of a forceful character in the courtroom, is because why he is there. He is a lawyer, and he asks the questions. If he is not forceful, he will not be able to prove his points to the jury. Atticus shows many times that he will attempt to show the jury everything no matter how hard he has to work for it. At home he is the same way, but less forceful. He teaches Scout the "trick" of empathy, an drives it home successfully shown later in the book. Atticus succeeds in teaching her, but he does it in a kind manner. In the courtroom, Atticus has the forcefulness, but he also retains his respect.
     Atticus knows that Mr. Ewell will be intentionally rude, but he doesn't fight back. He barrels through it with more force. Atticus, by driving in the point, almost forces Mr. Ewell to be respectful and answer the question. Atticus shows to the jury that Mr. Ewell didn't even think of calling the doctor. He knows the crowd will think that it is strange to not call the doctor in such an extreme case. Atticus is also always respectful to who he's talking to whenever. He speaks to Jem and Scout the same way he is  speaking to Mr. Ewell. Even with Aunt Alexandra he is always respectful. Atticus as a person will not change, but the way he presses for certain things will. When in court, he becomes more forceful, and wants the answers. At home, he is less commanding with Jem and Scout. Atticus is the same character throughout the book, but at certain times he changes his level of command and forcefulness.
     Why do you think Atticus' shows a sharper edge during the courtroom? Do you think that Atticus is a strong lawyer? Do you think his personality changes within the courtroom? Do you think that being a lawyer affects how he acts outside of the courtroom?
   

What is it that caused a mob to form? To disperse? Why do people do things while part of a mob they would not on on their own?

            When Jem, Scout, and Dill leave their house to find Atticus, they never expected to see a mob form around their father. Jem had decided to leave to see if something was wrong with Atticus after he left their house late, and took the car, and naturally Scout and Dill came with him. They searched for him in his office, and eventually found him sitting in his office chair outside of the jail. When they were about to leave, four cars pulled up and they stopped as men piled out. It was clear to Jem that these men were going to do whatever it took, including hurting Atticus, to get to Tom Robinson. After Scout ran over and started talking to Mr. Cunningham, the men realized something. “I looked around and up at Mr. Cunningham, whose face was equally impassive. Then he did a peculiar thing. He squatted down and took me by both shoulders. ‘I’ll tell him you said hey, little lady,’ he said. Then he straightened up and waved a big paw. ‘Let’s clear out,’ he called. ‘Let’s get going, boys.’” (206) Although she didn’t realize it, Scout stopped Atticus from getting hurt. When she started to talk to Mr. Cunningham, he slowly started to realize that Atticus wasn’t really a bad man. He had assumed because he was helping a man that he himself didn’t believe should be helped, that he should get beat up, and that he was a terrible person. When Scout started to remind him of all the things Atticus had done for the Cunningham family however, Mr. Cunningham “squatted down” and talked to Scout as a friend. He then “waved a big paw” and told the rest of the men to clear out, which they did. Scout may not have realized it, but she stopped her father, as well as Tom Robinson from getting hurt, and potentially killed. This part of To Kill A Mockingbird shows how sometimes innocence, and not knowing what is going on, can be a good thing. Since Scout didn’t know the consequences of her actions, she wasn’t scared to kick anyone or talk to them. Sometimes people do things in a mob instead of on their own, because they are too scared to do them on their own, or they give into peer pressure. Since Scout is young, she doesn’t realize this yet.

            Why do you think Dill is silent throughout the situation with the mob? Why do you think Atticus is not upset with Jem for disobeying him?

(Sorry this is late, I couldn't figure out how to post it).