Tom robinson's importance

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  • Tom Robinsons importance
    • He serves as a stark reminder injusticeprevalent in Maycomb society
      • 1. “Atticus, are we going to win it?”“No, honey.”          2. “Tom was a dead man theminute Mayella Ewell opened hermouth”
        • Tom clearly did not commit the crime, but it does not matter; he had no chanceanyway. This concept was highlighted during the Scottsboro trials, trials thatlikely inspired Lee to critique the abhorrent treatment of the black communityin the Jim Crow era
      • “I can't use my lefthand at all.”
        • Tom clearly did not commit the crime, but it does not matter; he had no chanceanyway. This concept was highlighted during the Scottsboro trials, trials thatlikely inspired Lee to critique the abhorrent treatment of the black communityin the Jim Crow era
    • He serves as a moral compass within the novel, embodyingprinciples of honesty, integrity, and empathy.
      • Says “suh” throughout the trial even though he is called “boy”  “I felt right sorry for her.”  “That boy;s worked for me eight years and; I ain't had a speck o' trouble outa him.'
        • He stands in contrast to the hypocrisy and prejudice displayed bymany other characters in the novel, including those who condemnhim unjustly, therefore he serves as a powerful vehicle for Lee tocritique the hypocrisy and prejudice inherent in society in 1930sAmerica
    • His trial highlights the loss ofJem and Scout’s innocence byexposing them to the harshrealities of the world
      • Jem: “It ain’t right”Sout:“Boo Radley wasthe least of our fears”
      • Bildungsroman: their journeyfrom childhood innocence toadult understanding is ajourney a reader can embarkon too? + Lee’s critique ofharsh 1930s society
    • His death demonstrates thehabitual ways of Maycomb
      • “To Maycomb, Tom;s death was typical. Typical ofa ****** to cut and run. Typical of a ******'s mentality to have no plan, no thought for thefuture, just run blind first chance he saw.”
        • Enables Lee to critique theentrenched prejudices thatcharacterised the Deep South duringthe Jim Crow era
    • Tom’s trial stands as a beacon of hope + shows Atticus’ egalitarian views
      • “lasted a few hours ' 'Simply because we were licked ahundred years before we started isno reason for us not to try to win,”
        • 1960s writing: Lee’s hope for a morehumane society?

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