Why does mayella say that she is afraid of Atticus when she first takes the stand?
When Mayella takes the stand in the Tom Robinson case, she is afraid of Atticus. Because Mayella is devalued as a woman and person by her father and also by the community, she feels that Atticus is making fun of her. In fact, as readers, we know that Atticus respects everyone, and he is trying to show her some decency.
Why is mayella afraid of Atticus in the courtroom?
Mayella claims to be scared of Atticus, and she is right to be scared of him, as Atticus has the power to expose her as a poor white woman who has attempted to seduce a black man. If Atticus is successful, the truth will set off a chain reaction that can only create more problems for Mayella.
What does mayella say she is afraid of?
Mayella is afraid of Atticus because he made Bob Ewell, her father, look like a the sniveling liar that he is. In retaliation, Mayella does the only things she knows how to do–lie and cry. She must figure that she can draw a sympathy card if she makes Atticus look bad or feel awkward.
How did mayella feel when Atticus was questioning her on the stand?
She thinks that Atticus is making fun of her, humiliating her on the witness stand to try and undermine the credibility of her testimony. Her hurt, frustration, and anger come to the boil in a sudden, violent outburst: Your fancy airs don’t come to nothin’—your ma’amin’ and Miss Mayellerin’ don’t come to nothin’, Mr.
How did Atticus prove Tom was innocent?
Atticus then shows the jury that Tom is handicapped and his left arm is completely useless. In Atticus’s closing remarks, he proves Tom’s innocence by mentioning the lack of medical evidence, the Ewells’ conflicting testimonies, and Tom’s obvious handicap.
Who does Atticus beat up mayella?
Mayella Ewell lies on the witness stand because she is afraid of her father, Bob Ewell, and because she is humiliated by her own attraction to Tom Robinson. She tells the jury that Tom beat and raped her when, in fact, it was her father who beat her when he saw her hugging and kissing an African American.
What evidence is there that mayella is lying in her testimony?
During the trial, Mayella’s testimony, combined with other evidence, proves that she is lying, and more importantly, that Tom Robinson is innocent. At the trial, Mayella testifies under oath that Tom Robinson attempted to strangle her with both hands and punched her in the face.
Is Bob Ewell mayella’s dad?
Bob Ewell is the patriarch of the notorious Ewell family that resides in Maycomb. Bob Ewell becomes an important character in the novel after he accuses Tom Robinson, a black man, of raping and beating his daughter Mayella.
Did mayella abuse her father?
Mayella’s relationship with her father is perverted and it is not a healthy relationship. Mayella is beaten, and probably sexually abused. He hits her and he uses her on a whim. She has been held down so long that she believes this is a normal relationship.
Is mayella a victim or villain?
Type of Villain Mayella Vilot Ewell is the secondary antagonist of To Kill a Mockingbird. She is the eldest daughter to Bob Ewell, the main antagonist of the novel. She is the reason as to why Tom Robinson is taken to court, and was indirectly responsible for Atticus Finch’s involvement with her case.
Why does dill get 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.
Who is Mr Underwood in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Mr. Underwood is the owner, editor, and printer of The Maycomb Tribune, the town’s newspaper. He works and lives in the Tribune office, which is located across from the courthouse, and spends his days at his linotype. He constantly refreshes himself with his ever-present gallon jug of cherry wine.
Why was Mr Underwood covering Atticus at the jail?
Underwood was protecting Atticus from the angry mob that was trying to kill Tom Robinson. Mr. He values Atticus’s life, and wants to protect him. While he may not want to save Tom Robinson’s life, he would want to protect Atticus.
Why was it a sin to kill Tom Robinson?
It is a sin to kill Tom Robinson because he is innocent, like a mockingbird. According to Miss Maudie, mockingbirds do no harm and only provide music for people to enjoy. Similarly, Tom Robinson has done no wrong to Mayella—on the contrary, he has helped and pitied her.
What is Mr Underwood like?
According to Atticus, Mr. Underwood is an intense and profane man. Though he’s racist and is one of the men who convenes at the Finches’ home in the days before Tom Robinson’s trial to speak to Atticus, he also stands up for what’s right and is ready to protect Atticus from a mob that gathers at the jailhouse.
What is ironic about Mr Underwood?
Underwood writes a scathing editorial that is an invective against the injustice dealt by the jury. Mr. Underwood simply figured it was a sin to kill cripples, be they standing, sitting, or escaping. He likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children.
Who protects Atticus?
“the courthouse and jailhouse news simply by looking out his upstairs window.” His office window looks directly out at the jail where the mob has gathered. After the mob disperses, Mr. Underwood tells Atticus that he had him “covered all the time.” In some senses, Scout also “covers” Atticus.
What is Atticus worried about when he sits in front of the jail?
Of course Jem and Scout are way too curious about what their father is up to, so they sneak out of the house, get Dill, and begin searching the town for Atticus. They find him sitting in front of the jail. It’s at this moment that Atticus shows a bit of fear. He’s now worried for the safety of his kids.
Why did Jem disobey Atticus?
Jem and Scout each have their different reasons for refusing to leave Atticus alone. Jem seems to want to protect his father, while Scout simply does not realize the gravity of the situation. In her innocence, she does not realize that the mob in front of the jail is there to hurt her father.
What did Atticus take to the jail?
So, Atticus gets a chair, a light and reading material, and positions himself in front of the jail in order to protect Tom, in the event that townspeople would come to hurt him. It turns out that Atticus’ suspicions were correct. A group of men does show up at the jail to take Tom Robinson.
Who does Scout recognize why do the men finally leave?
Why do the men finally leave the jail house? Scout recognized Mr. Cunningham, and she asked him to send greetings to his son.
Who does Scout recognize night?
As the mob gathers at the jail, Scout is surprised to discover that she knows some of these men. She recognizes Mr. Cunningham, the father of little Walter Cunningham, who she had over to her house for lunch one day. So, being innocent, and recognizing a face in a crowd, she starts talking to him.
Who does Scout recognize what does he do?
Mr. Cunningham
Why does Miss Maudie say it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird?
‘ That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it. ‘Your father’s right,’ she said. ‘Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy…but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”
What does Miss Maudie say about mockingbirds?
“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”