Although Mayella’s unreliable testimony and Atticus’ cross-examination both suggest that Tom is innocent, the man is unfairly found guilty at the hands of the failed and prejudiced judicial system. In addition, Mayella’s testimony draws the reader to seriously question her credibility as a witness.

When Tom stands up, the court sees that his left arm is very short and basically useless: His left arm was fully twelve inches shorter than his right, and hung dead at his side.

Summary: Chapter 19 Tom testifies that he always passed the Ewell house on the way to work and that Mayella often asked him to do chores for her. On the evening in question, he recounts, she asked him to come inside the house and fix a door. Mayella told him she had saved her money and sent them all to buy ice cream.

Mayella Ewell, while she is a victim of a horrible crime, is not a credible witness. In addition to the obvious nervousness displayed by Mayella when asked about the details of her crime she showed similar amounts of anxiety when asked about her father.

What does Mayella say she is afraid of? Why does Atticus ask Mayella if Tom choked and hit her? To see what she would say and if she was lying. What is Mayella’s response to whether her father had ever beaten her?

What does Scout realize about the way her father is questioning Mayella? She is hesitant to answer but nods affirmatively when Atticus asks about whether her father gets “riled” when he drinks. Analyze Mayella’s responses, including her body language, to Atticus’ questions about her father.

As was mentioned in the previous post, Dill becomes sick when he sees how Mr. Gilmer is disrespectfully speaking to Tom. In the middle of the cross-examination, Dill begins to cry. Scout does not get a chance to hear the rest of Tom’s testimony because Jem makes her take Dill out of the courtroom.

The sensitive Dill cries in the courtroom because Mr. Gilmer, the attorney for the prosecution, questions Tom in a such a cruel and devious manner that it clearly indicates his racial bias. When Tom Robinson is on the stand, Atticus asks him questions in the same manner in which he speaks to the Ewells or anyone else.

If you meant to ask, “Why did the two kids leave?” this would be your answer: Jem makes Scout take Dill outside because he begins to weep. When Dill and Scout walk outside, they have a conversation with Dolphus Raymond. Dolphus gives Dill some of his Coke, which Dolphus conceals in a paper bag.

Dill and Scout are friends because they are close in age, and Dill asks her to “marry” him. Charles Baker Harris, also known as Dill, is Scout and Jem’s neighbor in the summer when he comes to stay with his Aunt Rachel. He is six years old when they first meet him. He is proud that he can read.

The prosecutors and judges treated Tom disrespectfully and unfairly in the trial because he was black). In the conversation, it was shown that Dill was upset by the unfairness of the trial and the cruelty of the people towards Tom Robinson because he was black.

They are so interested because he is unlike anyone else in Maycomb. The Radleys Like To Keep To themselves, so their lives are a mystery to everyone around them. They decide to try to touch the door of the Radley house.

As young children, Jem, Scout and Dill are fascinated that such a creature could live near them. Also, the children take interest in doing what’s never been done; as far as they know, no one has seen Boo. They think it would be terrific if they were the ones to get him to come out of his house.

Despite being warned by Atticus to leave Boo Radley alone and to stop “tormenting” him, Jem and Dill just can’t let go of their curiosity and obsession with seeing Boo. Jem knows he has got to go back and get his pants, or it will be discovered that he went against Atticus’ orders to leave the Radleys alone.