What happens in the trial in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Answer 1

Find Tom Robinson guilty. There is no evidence that he ever committed the offense, and its obvious he did not commit any crime. He is indicted simply because he is a negro, and the jury was an all-white jury of what we can assume were Maycomb citizens with major bias and prejudice.

Answer 2

In the trial in "To Kill a Mockingbird," Atticus Finch defends a black man, Tom Robinson, who is falsely accused of raping a white woman. Despite the evidence proving Tom's innocence, the all-white jury convicts him due to racial prejudice. This unjust outcome highlights the deep-rooted racism present in the southern justice system during that time.

Answer 3

Immediately after the trial, Atticus appears unmoved. He continues to act professionally, telling Tom that there will be an appeal, and putting his legal papers in order. However, his children can see that he is disappointed, as he takes the shortest route out of the courtroom and doesn't look up, because he doesn't wish to speak with anyone.

Later that evening, when his children join him, Atticus looks as usual. But for once, he sounds tired and cynical. When his son asks him how the jury can give such a blatantly wrong verdict, he says, "They've done it before and they did it tonight and they'll do it again and when they do it - seems that only children weep." It seems like his faith in human nature - that people are essentially good and learn with time - is shaken for the moment.

The next morning, Atticus appears to have regained his cheerful optimism. He expresses his hope for a more favorable outcome on appeal, and says, "We're not through, yet." Inwardly, however, we see that he is bruising, because he reacts with unexpected emotion at an act of gratitude by the black people.

In the days that follow, Atticus seems his normal self. But his family sense that the events must be taking their toll on him. Jem hesitates to worry him any more with their more trivial concerns. Later, Aunt Alexandra says that the whole thing just "tears him to pieces", even though he "doesn't show it much." On one occasion, when he is talking about bigoted whites, Scout observes that Atticus' face looks "vehement". His words condemn them as "trash", without a trace of his characteristic empathy.

Overall, it seems that one of the long-term consequences of the verdict for Atticus' character is that he is less tolerant of "low-grade white" mentality. Previously, Atticus had the ability to stand in the shoes of almost any person. No matter how shockingly an individual behaved, he could explain the behavior from that individual's perspective, and take out the feeling of outrage or indignation from those who sought to judge the individual. It's questionable to what extent he will retain that attitude towards petty-minded white racists. The verdict has been too painful for him to regard with pity the attitude that was responsible for it. While he remains a believer in human goodness in general, he is simply less trusting that it will prevail in most circumstances.

His reaction wasn't surprised. He was positive they would call him guilty, even if deep down in their hearts they wouldn't. Yet, in some ways, Atticus had that little bit of hope that was mashed down by the killing of mockingbirds in his heart by mankind in the town of Maycomb County, Alabama.

He was calm, yet when his son, Jem tried to comfort him, he replied angrily.

Atticus took the verdict very well; he did not show any shocked or emotional expression whatsoever.

Answer 4

Tom Robinson is found to be guilty

Answer 5

it is an example of racism in the south