External and Internal conflict appear often in TKAM. The main conflict that drives the plot is Tom Robinson vs. Mayella / Bob Ewell. Other subconflicts include Atticus vs. self, Jem vs. Mrs. Dubose, white vs. black, Atticus vs. Bob Ewell, Atticus vs. Aunt Alexandria. Many more conflict appear and are resolved throughout the book.
Many people from all over the county and Alabama are attendind the trial. Scout,Dill, and Jem sit in the balcony, the "colored section" of the courthouse. Judge Taylor is presiding over the court.
Chapter 17
Sheriff Heck Tate and Bob Ewell are the first witnesses of the trail. Bob Ewell is asked to use less fowl language inside of the court room by Judge Taylor. While Heck Tate clarifies to Atticus that no one called the doctor and that Mayella had bruises and a black eye forming on her right side. At the end of the chapter, Jem states, "we've got him" due to the situation that Atticus proves Bob Ewell is left handed (Lee 178). As a result of the revelation, Atticus is showing that someone left handed would beat someone up on their right side.
Mayella Ewell is on the witness stand during this chapter. Atticus asks Mayella some information about her life so the jury and audience has a clear view of what Mayella's personal life is like. At the end of the chapter Mayella becomes angry and explains that Tom Robinson did hurt her. She ends the chapter with sobs.
Chapter 19
Tom Robinson is on the witness stand. He clearly has no power in his left hand as he has to maneuver his left hand with his right in order to set it on the bible. As Tom begins to speak, it is clear that his story does not align with Bob Ewell and Mayella's story. Tom explains that Mayella has asked him several times to help her out with chores and that this was not the first time he was asked to come inside of the Ewell's property. Tom explains that Mayella was the one that kissed him and Bob Ewell yelled at Mayella when he saw them together.
Is Tom Robinson innocent or guilty? Assignment: Make a claim, support the claim with evidence, then explain how the evidence relates to the claim. Due, Tuesday at the end of class