The Great Depression was a time that truly presented one of the most substandard and lowest moments in the social justice system. The inequity within sex, race, and wealth was evidently shown by a failed criminal justice system that was abused and caused much misery to its unfortunate victims. Tom Robinson and Mayella Ewell are no exceptions as they are victims within who needs pity and understanding instead of being punished for their crimes. It is evident that Mayella’s false accusation had caused Tom Robinson’s death, but his death does not solely lie upon her shoulders.
Throughout the novel, it is proven that the abusive Bob Ewell is guilty in full extent for domestic abuse as well as forcing Mayella for false accusation. Moreover, the ignorant racists; the jurors also have heavy responsibilities on Tom Robinson by showcasing the unfair judgment that was solely based on racial differences. Finally, the racism and ignorance of the South, Maycomb raised people into racists and sexists which ended in the death of Tom Robinson and victim of domestic abuse; Mayella Ewell.
It is evident that Mayella Ewell is not fully responsible for Tom Robinson’s death, but rather a victim in a greater tragedy. Despite Mayella’s action, Bob Ewell holds the most responsibility who needs punishments for abusing and forcing Mayella to falsely accuse Tom Robinson of rape. Elaborately, Bob Ewell’s horrible and violent domestic abuse can be shown through Mayella’s blackened eyes and her bruises. Consequently, she is the victim of poor treatment that had made her terrified, solated, damaged and made her commit terrible things. According to ‘Psycopathyawareness’, this can refer to as ‘stockholm syndrome’. This is the study that displays the bonds form between victim to the abuser in a controlling and abusive relationship. Moreover, emotionally bonding with an abuser is actually a strategy for survival for victims of abuse and intimidation. On top of that, the following situations can be the foundation for the development of Stockholm syndrome that Mayella also belongs too.
For Example, reference from ‘counsellingresource’, the presence of the belief that abuser would carry out the threat. Also, the existence of small kindness from the abuser, isolation from others but the abuser. Finally, the realization of an inability to escape the situation. Thus, this is proving Mayella’s bad mental state that would have made her conduct the acts of poor judgment. Provided that, Mayella could be scared of lying and taking an innocent man’s life but the existence of her abusive father may be even more horrifying to her.
On the other hand, Bob Ewell who is a privileged white man is guilty of abusing his daughter and framing an innocent. Speaking about domestic abuse, Bob Ewell was furious when he saw Mayella and Tom kissing; beating her on the grounds because it was a sin as a white person to do so in the first place. In the process of abusing Mayella, he beat her right face which soon brought into an evidence of Tom’s rape. Hence, Bob Ewell knew what he was committing, he was aware of his guilty behavior of abusing Mayella and also framing an innocent.
Despite that, he anyway blamed all his sins on Tom Robinson using an advantage of being white and using his privilege to ruin innocent’s life. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb into his skin and walk around it. ” (Lee, 39). This quote can refer to as an assumption that readers are conducting of how Mayella is fully guilty without being in her shoes; raised by an abusive racist father and neglected by nonchalant society.
To emphasize once more, Mayella is a victim of failed social justice system and omestic abuse who needs help. In conclusion, Bob Ewell is guilty to the full extent for costing a man his life and his freedom. The jurors in Maycomb successfully revealed the definition of ignorant racist and also have heavy responsibilities on Tom Robinson’s death. The principle of a jury is that the jury must conduct a decision by only considering the evidence provided in court and the guidance of the judge. However, in this case, the jurors already had biased opinions on African-Americans and had established racial stereotypes on colored people of how they are all criminals.
Moreover, the jurors performed the lack of fair judgment seen through by how they convicted Tom Robinson for a rape, without analyzing the given evidence without thorough attention. Regarding the evidence, it clearly presented the abuse of Mayella was done by Bob Ewell since Tom Robinson was not capable of using his left arm due to accidents; meaning a person who is capable of using left arm used the violence. Moreover, the evidence was clear, the doctor wasn’t invited to investigate Mayella, which is elaborating how no evidence of rape exist.
In the court, Atticus corrects the wrongness by stating how convicting Tom Robinson for rape based solely on racial stereotypes is unethical. “The witness for the state, with the exception of the sheriff of Maycomb County, have presented themselves to you gentlemen, to this court, in the cynical confidence that their testimony would not be doubted, confident that you gentlemen would go along with them on the assumption – the evil assumption – that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women, an assumption one associate with minds of their caliber. (Lee, 273 )
Despite the realization of unfairness in the court spoken by Atticus Finch, the jurors still decided to declare Tom Robinson to be guilty of raping Mayella. Thus, it is proven that jurors were blinded by their ignorance and their superiority which resulted in Tom Robinson’s death. In conclusion, the jurors are guilty and have heavy responsibilities for stealing an innocent man’s life and freedom once again. Throughout the novel, it is evident that Tom Robinson’s death may have started from the toxic racism of the south, Maycomb.
The town was full of sexism, racism, and ignorant opinions. Is this the appropriate environment for people to learn the values of people kindness? Consequently, the toxic town raised the racists which were taken into consideration in the court of how the jury knew Tom Robinson was innocent; but sentenced him to death regardless. Especially, the town’s failed social system can be evident through Mayella. Through her perspective, the society abandoned her by neglecting her poor situation.
Even more, the town’s ignorant opinions and racism can be seen through by how they named a race “Nigger”, the fact that they are labeling one human being as an ugly term and using “Nigger” as an insult word displays the racism of the south. Moreover, the town used the power of language to humiliate the minorities and called Atticus a “Negro lover” simply because he was arguing for equality for all humans. “She was white, and she tempted a Negro. She did something that in our society is unspeakable: She kissed a black man. (Lee, 273)
This is the evidence showcasing the racism in Maycomb as if Tom Robinson was already delinquent for kissing a white woman not also because of a rape. Hence, the town’s foolish misjudged opinions killed an innocent man and also damaged Mayella by isolating her from the society by setting an invisible wall between people so called “social hierarchy”. Thus, if the racism of the South did not exist, the social justice system in the court will be fair despite the differences within the race. The jurors would’ve done their duty properly, and serve true justice in convicting Bob Ewell for abuse and false accusation.
Therefore, Tom Robinson’s death may have all started from the deep-rooted racism in the Maycomb. In conclusion, Mayella Ewell should not be held fully responsible for Tom Robinson’s death. Both Mayella Ewell and Tom Robinson are mockingbirds due to corrupted society that was full of sexists and racists. To Emphasize, Mayella Ewell was forced by her abusive father and was in bad mental state socalled ‘Stockholm syndrome’. Also, it was juror’s job to define the truth but even after the conspicuous evidence to prove Tom Robinson’s innocence, the court already established their judgment as soon as they realized the suspect was a man of color.
La astly, the toxic racist town continued their traditions of white superiority which has raised racist people; who were blinded by the misjudgments and closed minds. Therefore, the trial of Tom Robinson not only presented the definite racism but also questioned the humanity within people in Maycomb. Thus, once again, is it Mayella; torn apart by the society and an abusive father should be held fully responsible for Tom Robinson’s death?
