Juliana Marbella

Mr. McConnell
English 9 7
23 January 2017

Tom Robinson was an innocent black man who was convicted the death sentence for one
of the worst crimes in the 1930s. The verdict, went everything against the constitution, the
foundation of America due to their presumptions on the color of their skin. It was a tough time
for everyone during the great depression and being on the outer rim of the universe of obligation
only made it harder for Atticus to make his case on the violation of Tom Robinsons right. In the
name of God, do your duty. In the name of God, believe Tom Robinson (Lee, 25) He
suggested that even with the stereotypes being pushed down on Tom Robinson, they know in
their heart what was right, but because of how society brainwashed them, it costs a mans life.
Despite every persons right to a fair trial, Tom Robinson did not have this right and was
treated as if it were a privilege. I shut my eyes. Judge Taylor was polling the jury Guilty.
Guilty guilty guilty I peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail,
and his shoulders jerked as if each guilty was a separate stab between them. (Lee 282). Much
of the jurys verdict came from the stereotypes forced down upon African Americans and
although many people may not think presumptions are a big deal. This costed a man his life.
It was very transparent that Tom Robinson was innocent and the fact that it even
resonated with one person. Not only is it scary enough to have one person lie in the cost of an

innocent man, but for so many people to recognize Tom Robinson is innocent and still convict
him to death. Not only are they going to court for the rape of a woman but there is an underlying
crime, a white woman kissing a black man.
Being on the outer rim of the Universe of Obligation had an impact on the pre-mindset of
the trial. There is nothing better Atticus could have done. Nothing was going to change their
mind. He could have introduced every piece of evidence, which he did in part, and still because
he is a black man, because a white woman cannot defend herself because she is seen as pure
and for that, they killed a man.
Tom Robinson had every right in the world to live the rest of his life. His kindness ended
his life. He gave so much together but got the opposite in return. This is the effect of closeminded, intolerant people that were too insecure of their own race, they openly killed a man, and
the scariest thing was they thought they were right. Tom Robinson recognized himself being
wrongfully convicted, he tried to escape. To an even more unfortunate expense, he was shot
dead.