Persuasive+Essay

Innocence “…My pity does not extend so far as to her putting a man’s life at stake, which she has done in effort to get rid of her own guilt. I say guilt gentlemen, because it was guilt that motivated her.” Tom Robinson, a black man, is accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman. Through the trial Harper Lee, the author of //To Kill A Mockingbird//, puts together, Tom is proven innocent through a course of common sense, and dishonesty. Although Tom Robinson isn’t guilty he is accused of it because he’s a black man and back then black men couldn’t be trusted. However, many believe Tom Robinson is not guilty because there is no medical proof, the inconsistency in the statements, and Tom is partially handicapped.

When first interviewed the policeman, Mr. Heck Tate, explained the details of what happened that night according to Mr. Ewell. However, the description failed to state if an evaluation was done on Mayella. “Did you call a doctor, Sheriff? Did anybody call a doctor?” “…No sir… Well I can tell you why I didn’t. It was unnecessary, Mr. Finch. She was mighty banged up. Something sho’ happened, it was obvious.” (p. 167) However, there is disagreement with Mr. Heck Tate’s statement. Just because she was “mighty banged up” doesn’t mean that Tom Robinson was the one to beat and take advantage of her. It could have been anybody and that is where a doctor would have been necessary regardless.

Another reason that believed that Tom Robinson isn’t guilty is because the statement’s that were said. In Mayella Ewell’s statement she said she didn’t recollect if Tom hit her or even laid a hand on her. In her father and Mr. Heck Tate’s statement they said that he beat her, strangled her, and took advantage of her. What she said though is, “No, I don’t recollect if he hit me. I mean yes I do, he hit me… Huh? Yes, he hit- I just don’t remember… it happened all so quick.” (p. 185) If it apparently happened all so quickly, how could she remember it was Tom? If she can’t even remember if he hit her then that just proves it was an un-solid statement.

Mostly, Tom can not guilty because of him being semi- handicapped. Tom Robinson clearly cannot use his arm because of it being all contorted from an accident when he was twelve. “He guided his arm to the Bible and his rubber- like left hand sought contact with the black binding. As he raised his right hand, the useless one slipped off the Bible and hit the clerk’s table. He was trying again when Judge Taylor growled, “That’ll do Tom.”” (p. 190) With Tom having so many issues with his left arm, how is he supposed to be able to attack and rape a girl?

By all the points brought up and explanations given, then how is it possible that Tom Robinson is at all guilty? You see, with no medical proof, statements not matching up, and Tom’s handicap there is a lot of speculation in the case. The way that Tom seems to be innocent is because the emotion he got from telling his story. Also, Tom is married and he has kids. Being polite got him nothing but being sued and his life ended.