What does Mrs. Dubose teach Scout and Jem? Complete your free account to request a guide. When he calls her "ma'am," Mayella claims that he is making fun of her. Mayella told him she had saved her money and sent them all to buy ice cream. Mayella says this in reply: "No, I don't recollect if he hit me. Who killed Tom Robinson in To Kill A Mockingbird? More books than SparkNotes. Bob Ewell is satisfied because his lie worked, and Jem is furious and incredulous. The grim facts of Mayella Ewell's life emerge in her testimony and in Jem's observations of her. White people shun her because of her poverty, while black people want nothing to do with her because she's white. Mayella then asked Tom to step up on a chair to grab a box for her that was on top of a dresser. When Tom climbs up on a chair to reach the box, Mayella knocks him to the ground. It shows us a look at what it was like to live as an Ewell and how her life was living with a drunk, violent father. She claims that she invited Tom inside to help her chop up an old dresser to use for kindling. He says there is no other way to get to his job, working for Mr. Link Deas. Mayella went to school for a few years but none of her eight siblings go, and their mother is dead. Nonetheless, it is clear that her testimony about Tom Robinson attacking her is a lie. Cite a specific quote from the text to support your answer. What does this suggest about the way she is used to being treated? Atticus treats Mayella with respect. However, she insists that he never lays a hand on her or beats her. Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird. He asks Tom to stand. She herself much resembles Scout, the narrator and main character of the novel. 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. You can view our. She is accustomed to rough treatment from her father, a man who drinks and disappears for long periods of time. Then she screamed and when she woke up her father was. He then asked Tom why he helps out Mayella. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. His answer caused quite a stir in the courtroom, because in their eyes a black man shouldn't pity a white woman. For her, Tom is vulnerable, just as shes vulnerable to her father. Tom says he was always happy to help because it didn't seem her father ever did; he also says that he didn't accept any payment for his work because he knew Mayella had no money to spare. She is scared of the court and scared of her father. As the chapter closes, Atticus is about to call one more witness. He then asks her if she has ever asked Tom for help before, and she gives a non-answer. She has lacked kind treatment in her life to such an extent that when Atticus calls her Miss Mayella, she accuses him of making fun of her. Summarize his testimony. When Atticus calls Mayella "ma'am," she accuses him of making fun of her. Atticus gains no pleasure from this as it reveals the sad and disturbing truth about the Ewell's homelife., especially as it relates to Mayella and her father's relationship. Mayella identifies Tom as the man who beat her, and Atticus asks Tom to stand. "I wondered if anybody had ever called her 'ma'am,' or 'Miss Mayella' in her life; probably not, as she took offense to routine courtesy. Then she asked him to lift a box down from a dresser. Furthermore, while examining Mayella, Atticus revealed Tom's left arm was badly mangled in a childhood accident and does not function. Dont have an account? Tom Robinson takes the stand in chapter 19. During the trial Tom had told his side of the story and it goes like this. After Atticus's cross-examination, Scout mentions that she feels numb and looks over at Jem and Dill, who are both yawning. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. He admits that he even staggers sometimes to reinforce his charade. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. 5 chapters | Use this CliffsNotes To Kill a Mockingbird Study Guide today to ace your next test! The exaggerated demarcation between good and bad renders the trial more important for its symbolic portrayal of the destruction of an innocent by evil. Tom thinks she may not have understood he meant it was nice when he said 'that's right smart o'you to treat 'em.' Mayella lives in poverty, caring for her siblings while her father drinks away all of their money. Previous testimony has shown that Bob Ewell is ambidextrous, and the courtroom has seen that Tom could not strike her on the right side given the condition of his left arm. Examine what happened when Tom Robinson took the stand and gave his testimony. Purchasing Scout, having been reared by Atticus, cannot imagine what kind of life Mayella has. Renews March 7, 2023 For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more! Mayella is a liar who puts an innocent man's life in danger, but her testimony does make her more of a sympathetic character. I soon found out." The trial continues, with the whole town glued to the proceedings. At this statement, Mayella lashes out in anger and refuses to answer any more questions. When Atticus Finch attempts to question her, she cries because she is afraid of him. What does his testimony suggest about the relationship between Mayella and her father? The jury specifically, and the town of Maycomb generally, destroy a good person who has never done harm simply because of the color of his skin. What is evident once Tom Robinson stands up? creating and saving your own notes as you read. "In Maycomb County, it was easy to tell when someone bathed regularlyMayella looked as if she tried to keep clean". Mayella was offended by the polite words Atticus used. Apparently, Jem and Dill did not find Mayella's testimony riveting and Jem proceeds to explain the finer points of the trial to Dill during the brief recess. "In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, how dothe children react to Mayella's testimony?" Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Scout knew her father well. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Tom says he was afraid of ending up in court, to which the lawyer asks him why he would be afraid of that if he was innocent like he claims. Mr. Dolphus Raymond, the alleged town drunk who lives with a black woman and their children, overhears them. The Ewell family receives assistance from the government, but Mayella's father typically uses this money to buy alcohol. He asks Mayella if she remembers being beaten in the face, and Mayella first says no, but then yes. Mayella then closed the door with him inside. Tom replies that he was scared, and 'if you was a nigger like me, you'd be scared, too.' Who was the first witness to testify in Tom's trial? Why does Atticus take Tom Robinsons case knowing that hell lose? He was trying to figure out why when Mayella asked him to come to the porch. Link Deas, Toms white employer, stands up and declares that in eight years of work, he has never had any trouble from Tom. She lied to protect herself. Atticus asks for more details about the struggle, then he asks many questions which Mayella doesn't answer: Why didn't the other children hear her screaming? Mr. Gilmer asks whether he was scared he would have to face what he had done. His left arm was mangled and useless since he got it caught in a cotton gin when he was a child. Atticus then examines her testimony and asks why she didnt put up a better fight, why her screams didnt bring the other children running, and, most important, how Tom Robinson managed the crime: how he bruised the right side of her face with his useless left hand, which was torn apart by a cotton gin when he was a boy. Physically he is a tiny little man, so he might be putting on airs to act "bigger" than he really is. Eventually, she does say that Tom hit her in the face. Struggling with distance learning? Mayella Ewell is pitiable, and her miserable existence almost allows her to join the novels parade of innocent victimsshe, too, is a kind of mockingbird, injured beyond repair by the forces of ugliness, poverty, and hatred that surround her. It ended in a small shriveled hand, and from as far away as the balcony I could see that it was no use to him." | 3 In addition to the presumption of an impartial jury, the justice system operates on the assumption that witnesses will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth after being sworn in to testimony. Mayella declares that her father has never harmed her. His imagination kindles theirs, and his youthful enthusiasm contrasts with Jems budding serious maturity. The judge expels Deas because his interjection during the proceedings threatens the integrity of the formal manner in which court proceedings are run; the grim irony, of course, is that the blatant prejudice of the trial does so as well, though the judge does nothing to alleviate this prejudice. 2023. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. Mayella had allegations against Tom Robinson. Tom tells Mr. Gilmer that he was afraid of being accused of something he didn't do. What important about Tom Robinson's testimony is that it contradicts Mayella's. As Atticus questions her about why her loud screams did not perk the children's interest, Mayella stayed silent and is inarticulate. She takes care of the familys needs, and Atticus trusts her unequivocally. In Chapter 11, Atticus shoots a mad (rabid) dog in the street. The rest of the novel is the background context for Jems broken arm. Scout thinks that Mayella 'must have been the loneliest person in the world.' "She seemed to be trying to get something clear to herself.". He says that Mayella had invited Tom inside many times in the past to help her with chores and odd jobs. Judge Taylor furiously expels Deas from the courtroom for interrupting. Create an account to start this course today. 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