TKAM post 6 ch 16-19 as Tom Robinson

Tom Robinson’s Journal

 

Dear Journal,

 

            I never thought that I would have to go to court for the events of November the twenty first. Never once did that cross my mind. I should have never trusted that Mayella Ewell, invitin’ me in the house like she did. Accusin’ me of rapin’ her? I would never touch a lady in such a way. Thank the lord that Atticus Finch has the heart, brains a ‘nd guts to stand up to prejudice and defend a black man in court. Thank the Lord for Atticus Finch. And thank the Lord, at least one other person in this town know’s that I’m an innocent man.

            The courtroom was awfully full; reckon the entire county of Maycomb turned out to watch this case. I saw the Finch chillun up sittin’ with Reverend Sykes in the colored  balcony, I hope that won’t be an issue with Mr. Finch. As the courtroom settled, Mr. Heck Tate took his oath on the bible. After he was sworn in, He stood at the witness stand, underneath Judge Taylor. Atticus had told me some interesting stories about Judge Taylor, and it’s a well known fact that he takes naps after suppah time. Atticus says that he is one of the fairest and best judges around though, and I take his word for it. As Heck Tate finished his story, Atticus questioned Mr. Tate about the extent of  Miss Mayella’s injuries. Heck concluded by saying she had a bruised right eye and bruises all around her neck. I trust Atticus knows how to get me out of this predicament, because it seemed to me like he was just confirmin’ Mr. Tate’s story.

            Mr. Gilmer called Mr. Bob Ewell to the stand next. Atticus asked him if he agreed with the statements submitted by Mr. Tate previously. Mr. Ewell reckoned he did. Then, Mr. Finch asked him a rather strange question. He asked if he could read or write. Mr. Ewell said he could, so Atticus had him write his name on a piece of paper. Subsequently,  Atticus pointed out that Mr. Ewell had used his left hand to write his name. Mr. Gilmer shouted an objection, that this comment was irrelevant, but Judge Taylor overruled him. I then saw where Atticus was going with this argument. He was trying to make it appear as if Mr. Ewell had beaten his own daughter. He wanted to make the Ewell’s story look like a huge fraud, that he had made up the whole rape story to avoid getting thrown in jail. So far, the jury looked convinced.

            Mayella Ewell was called up to the stand to testify, and she looked mighty upset. He was crying and sayin’ how she didn’t want Mr. Finch to do her as she had her papa, mocking him and all. Judge Taylor told her that that was just his way, and he was trying to be polite. Mayella presented her side of the story, and then Mr Finch went on with his questioning. He asked her why she had asked me to bust up her chiffarobe for her, but she said it was because whe was too lazy to do it herself. Atticus also asked about her father’s drinking habits. Mr. Ewell was known fo’ drinking away his welfare money.  Mayella said that he never once laid a hand on her.

            It was my turn to testify after that, and I was questioned by Mr. Gilmer. He asked me what my chain of events was during the night of November 21^st and I told him. I said that Miss Mayella seemed real lonely all the time, and asked if I would come bust up a chiffarobe for her. I did, and when she offered me the nickel, I reckoned she had none to spare so I denied it. When she later asked me to come inside and look at her door hinges, she locked me inside with her. She said she had never kissed a man before, what her father did didn’t right count, so she figured she’d kiss me, regardless of skin color. I right refused, said I better be on my way, but she wouldn’t let me pass. I heard her father outside, and so I made a run for it, past Miss Mayella, through the door and out into the night. I turned around to look back, and I heard her father screamin’ at her like murder. I ran as fast as I could. Ain’t safe for a colored man to stick around in those situations.