To Kill A Mockingbird Dbq

To some it is very unclear whether Mayella is powerful or powerless. In the book to To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, a family tries to defend a ‘Mockingbird’ who is being charged with crimes of rape. The book ironically takes place in the mid 1930s after similar events have just recently happened relating to blacks vs. whites. While Mayella Ewell can be considered as powerful based on her race, her class and gender indicates that Mayella is powerless based on the circumstances during the mid 1930s.

In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, Mayella possibly demonstrates a woman who is powerful because of her race. Mayella (white), goes to court against Tom Robinson (African American), where Mayella is accusing Tom Robinson of rape. When Atticus is asking Mayella

An example of Mayella’s lack of power is when Atticus is closing his argument by describing Mayella’s injuries during the court case. “Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led almost exclusively with his left…” (Doc B) Atticus’ closing statement shows that Mayella Ewell was defenseless because of her gender. Women typically do not participate in high fitness level activities throughout their life, and because of this, Mayella was powerless against the the man who was raping her. Another example that presents Mayella powerless is when Atticus is questioning Mayella during the court case. “...Except when nothing’, said Mayella. I said he does tollable. Mr. Ewell leaned back again. Except when he’s drinking? asked Atticus so gently that Mayella nodded.” (Doc B) This quote shows how Mayella was powerless because of her economic class. Because Mr. Ewell is unemployed, he continuously starts drinking which enables him to have the courage to injure his daughter, let alone rape her. In summarizing, the evidence above affirms how Mayella could be seen as powerless based from her economic class and