Is Mayella A Scared Emotional Or Insane

In “To Kill A Mockingbird”, Mayella is portrayed as a scared emotional and insane character. Which is why some people think that she should be held responsible for her actions. But, in reality, Mayella was just a girl who is easily manipulated helpless lonely and as Scout described, “somehow fragile looking" She does not deserve condemnation. She deserves our pity...and compassion. The main and most important reason why she did not tell the whole truth on the witness stand was only because of the negative influence of her father -- Bob Ewell. Mayella’s mother died when she was at a young age... when she was asked how long her mother has been dead, she replied “don't know -- long time”. This shows that her personality, her life, is mostly influenced by

her father, since she does not have a mother or anyone else to look up to. On page 256, Scout even thought that she “must have been the loneliest person in the world. She was even lonelier than Boo Radley, who had not been out of the house in twenty-five years”.

Since Mayella had no one else to look up to, Ewell was her only role model, but he was a bad role model… He was an alcoholic abusive father In the court, Mayella either lied out of love for her father, or, more likely, she lied out of fear. and what did she fear? Mayella was afraid to be beat or abused again, by her neglectful father A quote from p. 245 shows that Ewell physically abused Mayella. Mayella said that "He [Ewell] does tollable, 'cept when--"...then she hesitated because she was afraid she would reveal her lies, or rather, her father’s lies ”Except when he’s drinking?” asked Atticus so gently that Mayella nodded.” Not only does Ewell physically abused her, he also sexually abused her. During the trial, it was revealed that Mayella has never kissed someone before But, Mayella says that what her father does to her doesn’t count Since Mayella was socially isolated, she has no choice but to respect him and do as he asks. Atticus also questioned Mayella, on p.246, “When he’s -- riled, has he [Ewell] ever beaten you?” Mayella looked around, down at the court reporter, up at the judge.” -- No answer. “Who beat you

up? Tom Robinson or your father?” No answer, once again... She hesitates and hides information, implying that Ewell does abuse her. During the trial, on p.228, Scout found out that Mayella has 6 “brilliant red geraniums” in her yard. Scout thought that such flowers has to be taken care with love, and so, it belongs better in Ms. Maudie’s garden... not Mayella’s. The flowers symbolise how Mayella tried to find beauty in her miserable life, and her hope for a better future. .. This proves one of Atticus’ lessons that he’s been trying to teach Jem and Scout throughout the book -- that good exists in everyone... it’s just that Mayella did not have the chance to become a better person…. She was controlled by her father… She was an innocent victim of her father…. an example of all the neglect and abuse that existed in the rural south in the 30s. Mayella Ewell does not deserve condemnation...