Chapters 18+19 TKAM

Chapters 18 and 19 of  “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee illustrates the majority of the trial proceedings. These dramatic chapters are crucial to the plot and advancement of the story because it is the main premise of the novel and demonstrates the empathy that the readers and the courtroom viewers are starting to feel for Tom Robinson. At the same time there are many interesting points that are introduced that kept me hooked into the reading, the more I read, the more I was intrigued by what was happening. I started to question the purpose of instigating the whole rape situation. Why would she start this all? What are the charges for lying under an oath? Is Scout starting to feel empathy for Tom Robinson?

I began feeling the stirrings of empathy for Tom Robinson.  I started to feel sympathy for his situation similar to when Scout started to feel empathy for him at the end of chapter 19.  For example, when Mr. Gilmer was questioning Tom Robinson during his cross-examination, and asks,  “So your saying you did all of this chopping and work from sheer goodness?” (197). This shows that Mr. Glimmer is certainty not feeling a smidgeon of empathy for Tom Robinson, as a prosecuting attorney might, and proves that there is another person who does not believe the truth coming from Tom’s defense. Another quote that demonstrates lack empathy for Tom is when Dill was taken out of the courtroom and Scout said, “After all he’s just a Negro.” (199). This statement by Scout lessens the respect that Dill and herself will show to Tom Robinson and it also shows the injustice and racism that is still exists in the world. The injustice that is depicted shows that being a Negro decreases your status and the empathy that a person of color receives.