Gracie Muth

Mr. McConnell
English 9
1/23/17
Introduction
In Maycomb when there is a black man accused of doing something, there is not t a
chance the man will get a fair trial. Tom Robinson is a black man who was charged with raping a
white woman. The defendant was guilty and I do not believe he should have been. "There's
something in our world that makes men lose their heads --they couldn't be fair if they tried. In
our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins.
They're ugly, but those are the facts of life." (Lee 225). Based on the evidence and evaluation to
whom the verdict should have been, I believe the universe of obligation might have had an effect
on the verdict from the jury.
Tom Robinson was found guilty of committing the crime of raping a white woman.
Maycomb Countys jury was filled with racist white men who did not make the trial fair. The
jury could not accept the fact that a black man felt sorry for a white woman. Tom Robinson was
innocent and was just trying to help Mayella Ewell. The jury was blinded by the prejudices and
racism so they convicted Tom guilty of rape. Despite the efforts made by Atticus Finch to prove
Tom Robinson was not guilty, the men in the jury would not budge and only could see Tom as
guilty. "The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any color
of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury box. As you
grow older, you'll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you
something and don't you forget it -- whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter

who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash" (Lee
295).
In my opinion Tom Robinson should not have been guilty. Mayella has bruises on the
right side of her face and neck. Only a left handed person could make those marks. Bob Ewell is
a left handed man. Tom Robinsons left hand is completely out of use. Thomas Robinson
reached around, ran his fingers under his left arm and lifted it. He guided his arm to the Bible
and his rubber-like left hand sought contact with the black binding. As he raised his right hand,
the useless one slipped off the Bible and hit the clerk's table. (Lee 254). This is proof Tom could
not have been the one to rape Mayella. Even this obvious proof couldnt catch their attention,
and the black man had no say in this case.
I believe Maycomb Countys universe of obligation had an effect on the verdict from the
jury. In Maycombs universe of obligation, they put white woman at the center of everything. If
you are a white male, then you are favored. On the other hand, if you are a black male they will
never listen to what you have to say. In a jury case you are considered the bad guy if you are
black. It became obvious to the readers that the only reason Tom was convicted was because of
his race. If he was not the color he is then the jury would all be truthful. Mayella would be
charged for lying and Tom would be free. Bob Ewell spit in Atticuss face because Atticus
exposed him.
Based on the evidence and evaluation to whom the verdict should have been I believe the
universe of obligation might have had effect on the verdict from the jury. Tom should be free and
the Ewells should be convicted. The reason Tom Robinson was guilty was because of his race.
Mayella kept crying and it makes her not credible, Tom was more collected and spoke the whole

truth. In conclusion, Maycombs universe of obligation did have an effect on the verdict from the
jury.