Chapter 20 of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird presents Atticus Finch's closing arguments in the Mayella Ewell vs. Tom Robinson case. Up to this point in the trial, Atticus has done his best to discredit Mayella and disprove her lies. During his final remarks to the jury, he decides to make a point that she is a victim as well. The following passage shows Atticus explaining three reasons why Mayella is also a victim:
"She is the victim of cruel poverty and ignorance, but I cannot pity her: she is white. She knew full well the enormity of her offense, but because her desires were stronger than the code she was breaking, she persisted in breaking it" (203).
Mayella is the victim of poverty and ignorance. First, poverty isolates Mayella from respectable society and education. As a result, she becomes a victim of ignorance. Her ignorance prohibits her from making calculated and wise decisions. The isolation she feels, coupled with her ignorance, is why she tempted Tom to kiss her. When her father caught her breaking the interracial "code," she felt the need to protect herself from society by claiming that Tom raped her. If Atticus shows that Mayella is also a victim, then the jury may be able to accept the fact that she is lying. If the jury agrees that Mayella is lying, then it is reasonable to assume that Tom Robinson is innocent and should be acquitted of all charges.
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