The Courthouse Flashcards
“The Negroes, having waited for the white people to go upstairs began to come in”.
Segregation.
Black people have to wait after white people. This implies racial hierarchy.
“She says she never kissed a grown man before an’ she might as well kiss a n**r. She says what her papa do to her don’t count”.
Tom on Mayella.
Shows her desperation to be loved and treated well.
Reveals that her father sexually abused her.
“It occurred to me that in their own way, Tom Robinson’s manners were as good as Atticus’s”.
People expect them not to be as he is a black man and an unskilled worker but in reality he is very respectful, humble and a good man, just like Atticus.
“In this country our courts are the great levellers, and in our courts all men are created equal”.
Reinforces difference between theoretically and reality. In Atticus’s closing statement and Tom Robinson is still declared guilty.
“Mr Jem, i ant ever seen any jury decide in favour of a coloured man over a white man”.
Revered Skyes.
Has seen this countless times before.
Knows that TR is doomed and will be convicted.
“Seemed like every time I passed by yonder she’d have some little something’ for me to do” “Mr Ewell didn’t seem to help her none”.
Tom was being respectful and helping her because she was all alone not being aided by her horrible father.
“It was Jem’s turn to cry”.
“It aint right”
Jem is very upset at the injustice even in the courts. Has not seen this happen before and is so upset. Realises how unfair the legal system is. Also shows how children are more empathetic than adults.
“I don’t know, but they did it. They’ve done it before and they did it tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it - it seems that only children weep”.
Tom being convicted was inevitable. Despite the progress being made as the jury took several hours, it will happen again. Only children week because they have not been jaded by the injustice and prejudice in the world yet. Once they get accustomed to it, they will no longer weep.
