To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Copyright 1960

Chapter 18

Mayella Violet Ewell is called to the stand. "She appears young and fragile from behind", but when she faces the court room, she takes on the appearance of a "thick-bodied girl who accustomed to strenuous labor". Unlike her father, who looked unnaturally and un-customarily scrubbed for the occasion, Mayella looks like she tries to keep clean. The row of red geraniums in their otherwise unkempt yard that Mayella tends is much like Mayella herself. They are unexpected in that environment, but they need care in order to thrive. Also, it gives us hope that just as we might find a little piece of beauty in the Ewell's litter filled yard, we might something good in everyone.

The examination of Mayella is off to a slow start. She bursts into tears, saying and claims that she doesn't want Mr. Finch to treat her the way that he treated her father "tryin' to make him out left handed". Judge Taylor assures her that he'll see that she's well treated, and that Mr. Finch has no intention of scaring her. He also determines that she's 19 1/2.

Jem sees that Mayella has good enough sense to get the judge feeling sorry for her, but he's holding his judgment on whether Mayella has "good sense".

Mr. Gilmer, the PA, takes Mayella through the series of events the evening of November 21. She accuses Tom Robinson of entering her house uninvited, attacking her from behind, choking and hitting her, and finally taking "advantage" of her. Her memory suddenly becomes vague, and she next remembers her papa hollering, "Who done it?", and then next Mr. Tate, the sheriff, being there.

Atticus cross examines Mayella. She thinks Mr. Finch is mocking her by calling her ma'am and Miss Mayella. Sadly, it seems that Mayella has never been treated with respect, and being unaccustomed to it, thinks she's being sassed. Atticus takes his time, learning about her home life (it's reestablished that she's 19, she's the oldest with "seb'm brothers and sisters, she doesn't know how long her mother has been dead, she's not sure but thinks she went to school two or three years, but she can "read'n'write as good as her papa".) A very hard and sad life of poverty and despair is developed as the questions continue. We find out that Mayella is very isolated and has no real friends. Despite her insistence to the contrary, Mr. Finch leaves us with the notion that Mr. Ewell beats Mayella when he’s been drinking.

With this picture of the Ewell’s home life established, Atticus gets to the meat of the matter – Tom Robinson and how he ended up in the Ewell home on the evening of November 21. Mayella attempts to stick to her testimony that she had just given the PA, but Atticus asks for a more detailed account. She again testifies that Tom grabbed her around the neck and beat her about the face and then took advantage of her.

You can just feel that Atticus is leading up to something. I think Mayella feels it too, and is trying to dodge his questions.

The moment arrives when Atticus asks for Mayella to identify her attacker, Tom Robinson. Atticus requests that Tom stands for his identification.

The purpose of Atticus’ seemingly tedious questions regarding Bob Ewell’s left handiness, Mayella’s bruising on the right side of her face, and the description of the beating/choking/rape suddenly makes sense. Tom’s left arm is a full 12 inches shorter than his right and hangs dead with a small shriveled hand!

Atticus gives Mayella the opportunity to retell her story, but she sticks to her previous testimony. He then presents another scenario. He asks where the younger children were and why they didn’t hear her screaming (you know this is going somewhere, but he lets it drop just now). Atticus cuts to the chase and asks Mayella if it wasn’t her father rather than Tom Robinson that beat her up. This is too much for Mayella, so she goes to the defense that she knows in her heart will most sway the jury and public opinion. She reiterates that “the n----- yonder took advantage of her, and if the fancy gentlemen don’t want to do nothin’ about then they’re all stinkin’ cowards…” She then burst into a fit of real tears.

After a short break, Atticus calls his next and final witness.

Can Tom possibly get a fair trial in this atmosphere?

What a great summary, Dallis! The courtroom scene, with Mayella's testimony, is difficult to read about. She is truly in a situation that she is completely unfamiliar and uncomfortable with, especially as the main focus of the trial at this point.

I am hoping that Tom can get a fair trial, Atticus is certainly trying his level best, and it looks like his voice of reason taking over the hostility in the crowd might be Tom's only avenue to justice.

Thank you, NE Mom. I can't help but feel sorry for Mayella. As you said, she's in a situation that is clearly out of her comfort zone, and it's no wonder. She's had very little education, she has no friends, her daily life is a struggle, her father drinks, her mother has died, she's in charge of seven younger siblings, there's very little money and what little they have is wasted on liquor. Yet, with all of this, she tries to keep a tidy appearance and maintains a flower bed.

Atticus has such an up hill struggle trying to pull the truth out of Mayella while not appearing to bully her, while believing full well that the story doesn't add up. In the end, with Mayella's final speech, I'm afraid all reason will be thrown out the window.

Thank you, NE Mom.

I can't help but feel sorry for Mayella. As you said, she's in a situation that is clearly out of her comfort zone, and it's no wonder. She's had very little education, she has no friends, her daily life is a struggle, her father drinks, her mother has died, she's in charge of seven younger siblings, there's very little money and what little they have is wasted on liquor. Yet, with all of this, she tries to keep a tidy appearance and maintains a flower bed.

Atticus has such an up hill struggle trying to pull the truth out of Mayella while not appearing to bully her, while believing full well that the story doesn't add up. In the end, with Mayella's final speech, I'm afraid all reason will be thrown out the window.

Great summary, Dallis.
My heart stopped when Tom Robinson stood up and revealed his arm to the court. How could anyone doubt his innocence now, and yet . . ? I also feel for Atticus. He is torn between badgering Mayella and fighting for justice. We read " When Atticus turned away from Mayella he looked like his stomach hurt, but Mayella's face was a mixture of terror and fury. Atticus sat down wearily and polished his glasses with his handkerchief. One would think that after such blatant questioning, Mayella would falter a bit, but she bites back.

Thank you, Lady Jayne.

Your remark about Mayella's reaction to questioning, and how she bit back reminded me very much of a cornered animal. She went for broke, fighting back verbally for all she was worth. I'm very worried, given the place and time, and even with Tom's obvious disability, that will bee all it will take to sway the court.