Mayella Ewell is characterized through the following action “She is a thick bodied girl accustomed to strenuous labor,” this detail about Mayella’s physical body and working circumstances reveals her credentials as an uneducated woman. Once she’s called for questioning she states “No, I don’t recollect if he hit me. I …mean…yes! He hit me…he hit me!” furthermore, exposing her hesitation and uncertainly to readers. When Atticus becomes suspicious of her accusations she says “I got something to say and then I ain’t gonna say no more, he took advantage of me and if you fine fancy gentlemen ain’t gonna do nothing about it, then you’re just a bunch lousy stinking cowards the whole bunch of you and your fancy airs don’t come to nothing.” This statement unleashes the fury that consumes Mayella and the demoralized White Southerners, because similar to African Americans Harper Lee portrayed her as a victim. A victim of oppression and the hatred that surrounds her, from a very young age all she’s known was hate, hate for the African American Negro that didn’t have a voice. She speaks on the behave of the innocent mocking birds that have done nothing wrong, because in her eyes she doing what society has justified to be righteous even if it means robbing the innocence of an innocent black men. The power struggle between racial dominance is the meaning Lee wanted to convey to readers. The action “She burst into tears…Mayella runs as Ewell and a man grabs her…) shows that by Bursting into tears Mayella once again reveals the guilt, an innocent wouldn’t feel. Finally the action, (Ewell holds mayella’s arms and starts for his seat. Ewell helps Mayella to her seat. She hides her head as Ewell sits down), demonstrates her hidden shame and the balance between truth lies. In conclusion Mayella Ewell is a symbol of pain, oppression and ignorance of society.
In my opinion, I don't think she was shameful of her actions at all,i think she was more scared of what would happen if word ever got out about what she initially wanted, which was to get intimate with a black man.
I completely agree with you. I think she was only worried about what society would think of her if it was true that she was the one that made a pass towards Tom. If anything tom was a scapegoat used to relieve her faults and guilt so that she wouldnt be look down upon by her own father and her town.
I agree with both Floridon and Ana because Mayella did not care about anyone, especially not a black man. Considering the time period african americans were looked down upon greatly. In the 1930's, her actions were shameful. All she cared about was how society would view her, on top of what she did she also had a family. Mayella would not tolerate such a scandal. She wanted to get rid of Tom Robinson because when she saw him, he reminded her of guilt. MAyella wanted to get rid of this guilt.
I agree with of all of you, but if you read the whole book or watch the movie, you would understand that Mayella was raped by her father Bob Ewell... Therefore, I believe she was more scared of putting her father in jail and losing the only person who was supporting her financially. I believe that she accused Tom Robinson because she wanted to feel a little release that she would be believed over a black man because she doubted that anyone would believe that her father was raping her.
I disagree with you, although I see where you could have thought that I however think she was ashamed of her desire for a black man, because it was looked down upon by the southern society.But also one must see her perspective, what would the southerners think about what she had done? The trial was both her father's and her way of hiding the truth of what really occurred that night. Blaming the black man was their form of blackmailing him into not exposing the truth, a truth the southern society would have immediately condemned.
Lori, I understand what you are saying. However, in what way were Mayella and Bob blackmailing Tom? They were taking an innocent mans life away or putting him in jail for a crime he did not commit. Mayella knew that she would be a "disgrace" to her society due to the fact that her actions were considered to be horrifying, especially at that time period. Therefore, she made up a story in order to make her self look like she did not commit the "unspeakable" crime.
I agree with you both, I feel as if she is both ashamed and frightened of the truth, the fact that she tempted a black man and the possible consequences she might face upon the truth being released. While she is a victim of oppression, I don't think she should only be considered a victim because she uses the color of her skin as an advantage to build her credibility. She shouldn't only be be considered a victim but also a villain.
I completely agree with you because if we were to look at Tom as the victim we would see that Mayella is the true villian not only breaking this code of their society but also covering up what really happened at the expense of Tom's life its completely evil and shes willingly going along with it by insulting the jurors if they take no action, And she is a symbol of pain and opression at the hands of society and her own father, but also her true lust for Tom needing to be covered to conform
I think we are losing sight of the real point. The question is "what was Harper Lee trying to say by creating Mayella Ewell?" Mayella, in my eyes is neither a victim not a perpetrator. I think Harper Lee created this character with the intention to cause a spark in the minds of readers and society in general. Mayella is the character they ignites the idea of racism in the novel. Without her accusing tom Robinson there would be no case. Also when looking at this character, it it's through her ignorance that Harper Lee manages to play devil's advocate. Mayella's character raises the question "Is the act of condeming a man because of the color of his skin alright?" "Is this something that I condone?" And "Is this not what segregation is?" Condeming a race of people based off of no evidence or history of wrong doing. She creates Mayella to show the faults of human judgment during the period.
I totally agree with you, yet I also agree with Floridon and Ana. The way Harper Lee created Mayella as a character with such a fragile mind, one that is easily pressured by whoever surrounds her, clearly shows the insubstantial mind of the southern community, which is mainly governed by segregation and racial prejudice. In addition to what Andi said, Mayella is not a victim nor a perpetrator but she is the overall symbol of ignorance and conformity in this book. She is the character Harper Lee uses to represent the common, oppressed mind of the 1930s southern white community in its majority, while simultaneously contrasting it with Atticus' unique and humble persona.
To clearify what I had previously said Mayella was probably forced by her father to accuse Tom Robinson. Her father Bob Ewell was a drunk and a mean man. He saw his daughter with Tom Robinson, and he was angry. He was the one to beat his daughter and He knew he would have to cover for his actions. Since he had seen Robinson on his property, Robinson was an easy target. He was a black African American Male, and so he thought who would believe him? Mayella was obliviously dependent on her father to provide for her. It’s quickly assumed that she had also been a victim for a long time. I imagine he abused her and she was afraid of her father's wrath. If anyone found out the truth, she would be shamed through-out the county. She intended the people to believe it was Robinson, to gained positive attention as the poor white girl raped by the evil black man.
Agreed. But if anyone hadn't notice, the book is all about truth and lies. The novel opens the mind of the readers because society in the past was all about rumors and lies, including truths, which still goes on today. Mayella supposedly speaks the truth on how Tom had abuse her, which is not actually true. Harper Lee may have created Mayella Ewell because she represent the balance between truth and lies. She knows the truth, but fears of speaking it because she feels as Bob will beat her. Instead, Mayella lies from preventing herself of being beaten and as Lori mention, from being shamed through-out the country. The way she put her head down reveal shame and innocence to the readers. She represent the balance of between truth and lies, once again, because she tries to defend herself from speaking the truth. She attempts to, but instead lies because of the fear of being beaten by her father. It's as she's digging her way out of the trail, bits by bits.
She was denied of love and affection because she was poor. She found this affection under a person like Tom. She felt very happy when someone like Tom would help her and would change her day to day routine from the usual. She not only charged of him raped but made Tom feel as though he was a good person he would still be treaty badly no matter what. It shows the times true beliefs and conditions underwhich people had to live by.
I maybe playing devils advocate here but I actually found Mayella to be one of the most sympathetic characters along side with Tom. As soon as one see's her outrage and impulsive discourse insulting the jury for their idea to not believe her says to me fear. Why would she react so afraid if she new the case was a hard hit for them? Mayella is another victim but not of poverty like the book says; at least not only. I believe she is a victim to the environment she lives in which in fact favors her. I see this as Harper showing how this mentality crosses all boundaries, crosses all people because like a poison it kills all indiscriminately. An indiscriminate poison in an discriminant world.
Mayella Ewell is characterized through the following action “She is a thick bodied girl accustomed to strenuous labor,” this detail about Mayella’s physical body and working circumstances reveals her credentials as an uneducated woman. Once she’s called for questioning she states “No, I don’t recollect if he hit me. I …mean…yes! He hit me…he hit me!” furthermore, exposing her hesitation and uncertainly to readers. When Atticus becomes suspicious of her accusations she says “I got something to say and then I ain’t gonna say no more, he took advantage of me and if you fine fancy gentlemen ain’t gonna do nothing about it, then you’re just a bunch lousy stinking cowards the whole bunch of you and your fancy airs don’t come to nothing.” This statement unleashes the fury that consumes Mayella and the demoralized White Southerners, because similar to African Americans Harper Lee portrayed her as a victim. A victim of oppression and the hatred that surrounds her, from a very young age all she’s known was hate, hate for the African American Negro that didn’t have a voice. She speaks on the behave of the innocent mocking birds that have done nothing wrong, because in her eyes she doing what society has justified to be righteous even if it means robbing the innocence of an innocent black men. The power struggle between racial dominance is the meaning Lee wanted to convey to readers. The action “She burst into tears…Mayella runs as Ewell and a man grabs her…) shows that by Bursting into tears Mayella once again reveals the guilt, an innocent wouldn’t feel. Finally the action, (Ewell holds mayella’s arms and starts for his seat. Ewell helps Mayella to her seat. She hides her head as Ewell sits down), demonstrates her hidden shame and the balance between truth lies. In conclusion Mayella Ewell is a symbol of pain, oppression and ignorance of society.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I don't think she was shameful of her actions at all,i think she was more scared of what would happen if word ever got out about what she initially wanted, which was to get intimate with a black man.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. I think she was only worried about what society would think of her if it was true that she was the one that made a pass towards Tom. If anything tom was a scapegoat used to relieve her faults and guilt so that she wouldnt be look down upon by her own father and her town.
DeleteI agree with both Floridon and Ana because Mayella did not care about anyone, especially not a black man. Considering the time period african americans were looked down upon greatly. In the 1930's, her actions were shameful. All she cared about was how society would view her, on top of what she did she also had a family. Mayella would not tolerate such a scandal. She wanted to get rid of Tom Robinson because when she saw him, he reminded her of guilt. MAyella wanted to get rid of this guilt.
DeleteI agree with of all of you, but if you read the whole book or watch the movie, you would understand that Mayella was raped by her father Bob Ewell... Therefore, I believe she was more scared of putting her father in jail and losing the only person who was supporting her financially. I believe that she accused Tom Robinson because she wanted to feel a little release that she would be believed over a black man because she doubted that anyone would believe that her father was raping her.
DeleteI disagree with you, although I see where you could have thought that I however think she was ashamed of her desire for a black man, because it was looked down upon by the southern society.But also one must see her perspective, what would the southerners think about what she had done? The trial was both her father's and her way of hiding the truth of what really occurred that night. Blaming the black man was their form of blackmailing him into not exposing the truth, a truth the southern society would have immediately condemned.
ReplyDeleteLori, I understand what you are saying. However, in what way were Mayella and Bob blackmailing Tom? They were taking an innocent mans life away or putting him in jail for a crime he did not commit. Mayella knew that she would be a "disgrace" to her society due to the fact that her actions were considered to be horrifying, especially at that time period. Therefore, she made up a story in order to make her self look like she did not commit the "unspeakable" crime.
DeleteI agree with you both, I feel as if she is both ashamed and frightened of the truth, the fact that she tempted a black man and the possible consequences she might face upon the truth being released. While she is a victim of oppression, I don't think she should only be considered a victim because she uses the color of her skin as an advantage to build her credibility. She shouldn't only be be considered a victim but also a villain.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you because if we were to look at Tom as the victim we would see that Mayella is the true villian not only breaking this code of their society but also covering up what really happened at the expense of Tom's life its completely evil and shes willingly going along with it by insulting the jurors if they take no action, And she is a symbol of pain and opression at the hands of society and her own father, but also her true lust for Tom needing to be covered to conform
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI think we are losing sight of the real point. The question is "what was Harper Lee trying to say by creating Mayella Ewell?" Mayella, in my eyes is neither a victim not a perpetrator. I think Harper Lee created this character with the intention to cause a spark in the minds of readers and society in general. Mayella is the character they ignites the idea of racism in the novel. Without her accusing tom Robinson there would be no case. Also when looking at this character, it it's through her ignorance that Harper Lee manages to play devil's advocate. Mayella's character raises the question "Is the act of condeming a man because of the color of his skin alright?" "Is this something that I condone?" And "Is this not what segregation is?" Condeming a race of people based off of no evidence or history of wrong doing. She creates Mayella to show the faults of human judgment during the period.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you, yet I also agree with Floridon and Ana. The way Harper Lee created Mayella as a character with such a fragile mind, one that is easily pressured by whoever surrounds her, clearly shows the insubstantial mind of the southern community, which is mainly governed by segregation and racial prejudice. In addition to what Andi said, Mayella is not a victim nor a perpetrator but she is the overall symbol of ignorance and conformity in this book. She is the character Harper Lee uses to represent the common, oppressed mind of the 1930s southern white community in its majority, while simultaneously contrasting it with Atticus' unique and humble persona.
DeleteI agree with Andi, the question is what is Harper Lee trying to say by creating Mayella Ewell; not judgding her.
DeleteTo clearify what I had previously said Mayella was probably forced by her father to accuse Tom Robinson. Her father Bob Ewell was a drunk and a mean man. He saw his daughter with Tom Robinson, and he was angry. He was the one to beat his daughter and He knew he would have to cover for his actions. Since he had seen Robinson on his property, Robinson was an easy target. He was a black African American Male, and so he thought who would believe him? Mayella was obliviously dependent on her father to provide for her. It’s quickly assumed that she had also been a victim for a long time. I imagine he abused her and she was afraid of her father's wrath. If anyone found out the truth, she would be shamed through-out the county. She intended the people to believe it was Robinson, to gained positive attention as the poor white girl raped by the evil black man.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. But if anyone hadn't notice, the book is all about truth and lies. The novel opens the mind of the readers because society in the past was all about rumors and lies, including truths, which still goes on today. Mayella supposedly speaks the truth on how Tom had abuse her, which is not actually true. Harper Lee may have created Mayella Ewell because she represent the balance between truth and lies. She knows the truth, but fears of speaking it because she feels as Bob will beat her. Instead, Mayella lies from preventing herself of being beaten and as Lori mention, from being shamed through-out the country. The way she put her head down reveal shame and innocence to the readers. She represent the balance of between truth and lies, once again, because she tries to defend herself from speaking the truth. She attempts to, but instead lies because of the fear of being beaten by her father. It's as she's digging her way out of the trail, bits by bits.
DeleteI agree 100% with Lori !!!! Thats why she had to blame Tom because she knew that she needed her father to provide for her . Good point
ReplyDeleteShe was denied of love and affection because she was poor. She found this affection under a person like Tom. She felt very happy when someone like Tom would help her and would change her day to day routine from the usual. She not only charged of him raped but made Tom feel as though he was a good person he would still be treaty badly no matter what. It shows the times true beliefs and conditions underwhich people had to live by.
ReplyDeleteI maybe playing devils advocate here but I actually found Mayella to be one of the most sympathetic characters along side with Tom. As soon as one see's her outrage and impulsive discourse insulting the jury for their idea to not believe her says to me fear. Why would she react so afraid if she new the case was a hard hit for them? Mayella is another victim but not of poverty like the book says; at least not only. I believe she is a victim to the environment she lives in which in fact favors her. I see this as Harper showing how this mentality crosses all boundaries, crosses all people because like a poison it kills all indiscriminately. An indiscriminate poison in an discriminant world.
ReplyDelete