To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird
Handout Homework Pt. 2 (#’s 7-8)

7. Points of evidence that Tom Robinson was not guilty, taken into consideration by the judge

1) No one called a doctor to the scene. If Mayella was really raped by Tom Robinson who she accused she’d have needed a doctor. Also, if Tom Robinson was the man who beat her up, she wouldn’t have hesitated to call a doctor, however, the family does not and this gives the impression that they are hiding something.
2) The left side of Mayella’s face was beaten up most severly and Mr. Bob Ewell was left handed. Tom Robinson was missing his left hand, and therefore he couldn’t have hurt her so severely in that position. This raises Bob Ewell as a suspect of battery.
3) Mr. Ewell is suspected of lying and has drinking habits which would cause him to abuse his children.
4) There is no medical evidence that shows Tom could have committed the crime, only the testimonies of two witnesses.

8. The two meanings of “this case is as simple as black and white”

1) The case is in reality very simple. The answer is obvious as too who did the crime and what happened. The evidence presented by Atticus is sufficient.
2) The quote could also mean that the case is as simple as racial prejudice. Most people would take a white man’s word over a Negro’s no matter how much proof there is that the Negro was not at fault. Many people make their decisions solely based on skin colour.