Tom as the Kindest Character in To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Sample

No innocent man should be put on trial for a crime he did not commit. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird perfectly embodies this with the story of Tom Robinson, a man accused of rape. Scout and Jem, the central characters of the novel, watch Tom’s case unfold in court. They watch their own town of Maycomb ridicule Tom for nothing but his race, they watch him only give his kindness out to the world, and they eventually watch him die. While some citizens of Maycomb view Tom Robinson as a mere stereotype or a criminal, in truth, he is the kindest character in the entire book.

To Atticus, Tom Robinson is a client. To the rest of the town of Maycomb, Alabama, Tom is a criminal. And to Scout and Jem, Tom Robinson is a man who deserves justice. Having a father as a lawyer heavily influences both Scout and Jem’s opinion on Tom Robinson because Atticus wants their judgement to be morally right. When Uncle Jack visits the Finch residence, Atticus discusses his case, and expresses his worry for his children's surroundings. His concern lies in the fact that his children won't come to him to form opinions about the case: “[I] pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all, without catching Maycomb’s usual disease. Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don’t pretend to understand” (100). These lines indicate that not only do Scout and Jem differ from the other kids in Maycomb, occupying a different perspective, their father also makes a conscious effort to guide these opinions.  Scout and Jem are surrounded by their classmates and friends who call Atticus a n***** lover. Despite the hate Attticus receives for doing the unthinkable, he still is focused on setting Scout and Jem on the right moral path. Thus sets them aside from all other kids and most adults in Maycomb. They are able to see Tom for the kind soul that he is and do not deride Tom for his race.

However, not everyone feels the way Atticus does. For instance, take the character of Bob Ewell. He lives his life as a common folk; very poor, and ill educated. He has a large family, but is an abuser and a drunkard; he never adequately takes care of them.

Mayella Ewell, the oldest of the Ewell children is the one to accuse Tom of raping her. The way she depicts the case on trial is very different from the truth, but none of the Ewell’s ever really had a knack for that. She states what happens as follows: “I turned around an ’fore I knew it he was on me. Just run up behind me, he did. He got me round the neck, cussin‘ me an’ sayin‘ dirt—I fought’n’hollered, but he had me round the neck. He hit me agin an‘ agin”(205). Atticus of course knows that this isn't the truth, as Mayella speaks under her father’s heavy influence. He attempts to poke holes in her statements, which he does, but it is her reaction that speaks great volumes:“I got somethin‘ to say an’ then I ain’t gonna say no more. That n***** yonder took advantage of me an‘ if you fine fancy gentlemen don’t wanta do nothin’ about it then you’re all yellow stinkin‘ cowards, stinkin’ cowards, the lot of you” (213). In this excerpt, Lee reveals important details about Mayella and Tom. The fact that she falls apart like this in court just shows how sensitive  she is to abuse and rape, giving us insight on her and her father’s relationship. Furthermore, this excerpt shows the picture that is painted of Tom. The town sees him as a malicious rapist, and because of the deeply rooted racism in the town, they are unable to look past the clear lies told. Maycomb refuses to listen to Tom’s truth.

Despite this, Tom and Atticus work their utmost hardest to help Maycomb understand the sincerity of Tom's testimony. Though the town will always refuse to hear Tom, multiple pieces of text prove that he really is one of the kindest characters. For illustration, even after all Mayella puts Tom through, he still feels inclined to be nice to her because he knows how Mayella feels in the community. Scout reflects on this: “As Tom Robinson gave his testimony, it came to me that Mayella Ewell 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.” (218) Everyday Tom Robinson helped Mayella out of his goodwill and pure self volition. He aided her with chores and He not only knew how she felt, but also was empathetic and walked in her shoes. On trial, Tom reveals that he “felt right sorry for her.” (224) Tom is the most overlooked character of the novel. He has the kindest heart but is also the most innocent and fragile. ​​ Mayella was isolated from the town. She had no friends and felt inclined to spend his time with her. Until Mayella wrongfully accused him Tom spent 

To finally analyze, Tom really was the kindest character in To Kill a Mockingbird. Tom, with the kindest heart, helped Mayella every day he headed to work. Tom, with the kindest heart, was wrongfully accused. Tom, with the kindest heart, was set to die the second the jury sat in their seats. The world was essentially pitted against him from the start of the novel but he still made all efforts to be thoughtful. His race stopped Maycomb from seeing his true heart. In closing, author Harper Lee wrote Tom as the kindest character.