Trial Facts
Who is on trial? Who is defending him?
Who is Tom Robinson? Who is Atticus Finch?
Who is the first witness to be called?
Who is Heck Tate?
What is the jury's final decision?
Guilty
Who makes up the Maycomb jury?
White men only.
He is upset by how Mr. Gilmer is treating Tom (with disrespect).
Who is the prosecuting attorney? Who are the prosecution witnesses?
Who is Mr. Gilmer? Who is Bob and Mayella Ewell?
What is Mayella's reaction when Atticus asks her about Bob Ewell, her father?
She hesitates, but eventually declares that he has never touched a hair on her head.
How does Jem react to the verdict?
He cries; he is devastated.
What does Atticus tell the jury at the end of his closing argument?
"In the name of God, believe him!"
Why does Mayella testify to Tom's "crime" against her? Why doesn't she tell the truth?
She feels immense guilt for lying and breaking the unspoken "code" within society that she must "get rid" of Tom. He is her personal reminder of what she has done.
Raping Mayella Ewell after she asked him to bust up a chiffarobe into kindling wood.
Why does Atticus have Bob Ewell sign his name?
To show that he is left-handed.
How does Bob Ewell react after the trial?
He spits in Atticus's face.
How could Scout tell that Tom Robinson was going to be proven guilty? (Hint: What did the jury do (or not do)?
The jury never looked at the defendant if they decided "guilty".
Why does Mayella react so aggressively when Atticus calls her "ma'am" and "Miss Mayella"?
She is not used to being treated with respect and thinks he is mocking her.
Who is the only person in town that does NOT attend the trial?
Who is Miss Maudie?
Why is handedness an important part of the testimonies?
Mayella was hit by someone who led exclusively by their left (hand). Bob Ewell is left-handed, and Tom Robinson can only use his right hand.
What happens at the Finch's house the morning after the trial? Why is this significant?
The Black community has gifted Atticus with a bunch of food. This is significant because it is still during the Depression when money and food were hard to come by.
What is surprising about the length of time that it takes the jury to come to a decision? (Remember: the jury was deliberating for hours; a jury needs a unanimous decision).
Typically, a black man would have been immediately convicted. If the jury took hours to come to a unanimous decision, it suggests that one jury member refused to agree for a time that Tom Robinson was guilty.
What is the significance of the Black community standing up as Atticus leaves the courtroom?
It is their way of showing gratitude and respect for his efforts to defend Tom Robinson, despite his sentencing.
Why do Scout and Dill leave the trial at one point? Who do they meet outside? What do they learn about this person?
Dill was crying; They meet Mr. Dolphus Raymond, and they learn that he isn't really a drunk; he is just pretending.
What does Tom say actually happened with Mayella?
What does Miss Maudie say about the trial's outcome?
What does the jury's verdict say about the power of racial bias in Maycomb?
How does the trial connect to the title To Kill a Mockingbird?
Tom is an innocent "mockingbird" destroyed by prejudice.