Although the novel To Kill a Mockingbird raises many important issues, Harper Lee bravely addresses the issue of racism in Maycomb society. The issue of racism surfaces in the novel when Tom Robinson, a black man, is accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman. Even though no evidence is discovered to convict Tom, the jury, which was made up of twelve white men, finds him guilty. This decision had a significant impact on Tom Robinson, Atticus Finch, and Jem Finch.
A large portion of To Kill a Mockingbird consists of the trial of Tom Robinson. During the trial Tom Robinson and Mayella Ewell give two different versions of the alleged rape. Mayella's account includes Tom beating her, and forcing himself on her. …
