Many examples of this occur before the trial even begins, these include such people as Scout’s classmates and family remarking on Atticus. Cecil Jacobs mentioning ‘My folks said your daddy was a disgrace an’ that nigger oughta hang from the water-tank!’ is a very good example of how racial prejudice can be passed down the generations, this is shown by using reference to family before criticising To Robinson in a racist way. A second example of this includes Scout’s own cousin, Francis, saying ‘I guess it ain’t your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I’m here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family –’. This is a brilliant way that Harper Lee shows how nothing in this novel is certain as Scout and Francis are related but share different views on the subject of racism. Other instances of racial prejudice involve white men gambling and drinking in the ‘First Purchase’ church that is owned by the Negroes and separate balconies for the black and white people in the courtroom. Attempting to lynch Tom Robinson is another example of the vast degree of prejudice back in the thirties.
Although the black people have taken much abuse, only one of them has fought back. Lula, a black woman, is probably the only person in Maycomb who would try to prevent Scout and Jem from going to the black church with Calpurnia. She asks ‘I wants to know why you bringin’ white chillun to nigger church’ and states ‘they got their church we got our’n’. With this Harper Lee has skilfully shown that the white people are not the only people with racist views and that racism can go in two directions, not just one.
The trial is the most significant and unforgettable event in the novel and shows the extent of racism in the Southern United States at the time. Under normal circumstances the case should never have even come to trial, as there was no medical evidence that Mayella Ewell was raped. However due to Tom Robinson’s origin, the case is given the go ahead.
At the trial there are many incidents of racial prejudice including before the trial begins when a member of the Idlers’ Club says to another ‘Yeah, but Atticus aims to defend him. That’s what I don’t like about it’. This shows that most lawyers at the time would not have even attempted to prove Tom’s innocence and that it was considered wrong by many to defend a black man it was considered wrong by many to defend a black man. The episode when Bob Ewell takes the stand is another great example of racial prejudice when he explains in his testimony that he saw ‘that black nigger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella’. This shows that Bob Ewell thinks of the defendant as little more than an animal by using the term ‘ruttin’’ which is usually used to describe wildlife. The prosecuting lawyer, Mr Gilmer also shows prejudice during the trial by referring to Tom ‘Boy’ and ‘Robinson’ which are both patronising and racist terms.
The trial shows overwhelming evidence that Tom is innocent: Mayella’s right eye is damaged indicating a left handed attacker but Tom cannot use his left arm, as it was caught in a cotton gin when he was a boy. Also Mayella Ewell contradicts herself by changing ‘I did not, I certainly did not’ to ‘I mighta’, another piece of evidence to prove Tom’s innocence. Despite all the evidence and Atticus’ best efforts, Tom is still convicted Tom is still convicted by a jury of white men. This shows that there is little equality in the courts between a white man and a black man, even if the black man has a better reputation.
After his conviction Tom makes a final effort to escape and is shot seventeen times, when any white man would rarely have been shot more than once. This shows extremely well that even people who are meant to protect can be influenced by the colour of someone’s skin.
To sum up, this novel is superbly written and puts across the point of racial prejudice with great skill by showing some of the differences between black and white lifestyles and how prejudice is passed through the generations. The book shows in a memorable way how black people are never thought of as equal to white people, even in courts, where all men are meant to be equal.
Michael F Hutchison
