To Kill a Mockingbird - Chapter 17: The Trial Begins

Key Events

• Testimony from Sheriff Tate

  • Bob Ewell came to the sheriff's office claiming his daughter, Mayella, had been beaten and raped.
  • Sheriff Tate and Bob Ewell went to the Ewell residence and found Mayella beaten.
  • Mayella identified Tom Robinson as her attacker.

• Cross-Examination by Atticus Finch

  • Atticus highlights that no doctor was called to examine Mayella.
  • Points out that the injuries were on the right side of Mayella's face, indicating the attacker was likely left-handed.

Testimony of Bob Ewell

• Background on the Ewells

  • Bob Ewell is portrayed as extremely poor and bitter.
  • Described by Scout as a typical figure in every town.

• Bob Ewell on the Stand

  • His testimony supports Sheriff Tate’s account but is shown to be unreliable under Atticus’s questioning.
  • Atticus demonstrates Bob Ewell is left-handed, suggesting he could have been the attacker.

Reactions and Tensions

• Jem's Reaction

  • Jem is optimistic about the trial's direction.

• Scout's Reaction

  • Scout is less confident than Jem.

• Narration Style

  • The trial is narrated in real-time, creating tension as events unfold simultaneously for the reader, Jem, and Scout.

Themes and Character Analysis

• Atticus’s Courtroom Skills

  • Able to create doubt around Bob Ewell’s testimony by highlighting inconsistencies.

• Bob Ewell’s Character

  • Depicted as a bitter and nasty man, contrasting with the Finch family's values.
  • His influence extends negatively to those around him, particularly his children.

• Race and Justice

  • The case ultimately revolves around issues of race, despite the evidence poking holes in the Ewells' claims.

Conclusion

• The trial scene sets the tone for tension and conflict, highlighting social and racial issues while contrasting different characters' morals and values.