To Kill a Mockingbird's main source of logos lies in Atticus Finch's case for Tom Robinson that he presents to the jury. He talks about how Mayella has an injury to her left eye which makes it clear that a left handed man must have punched her. The audience later finds out that Tom Robinson previously got his hand caught in a cotton gin which makes him incapable of injuring Mayella. They also find out that Tom Ewell (Mayella's father) writes with his left hand when Atticus asks him to write his name on a piece of paper. Another form of evidence is the fact that Mayella's and Tom Robinson's story do not add up. Mayella claims that he came by to help her around the house and just jumped on top of her but Tom gives a more specific account of how she consistently asked him to come over to help her around the house and on the night of the supposed rape, she leaned up and kissed him. Mayella's lack of composure and all of the evidence Atticus showcases would lead anyone to believe that she feels guilty for having feelings for a black man and is beaten into submission by her father. But because of society's prejudice against African Americans at the time, the jury is unable to let a "negro go free." – Sana Shah
The literature logos presented in this is spot on. That one fact broke the case against Tom Robinson, however, much like in today society juries require less evidence to convict black men than white men. This problem hasn't gone away. -Shannon
ReplyDeleteThe logos appeal in the film is definitely shown through Finch's case to the jury. All the overwhelming evidence produces the logic and facts needed to not convict a guilty man. It is a shame that prejudice was able to take control of the situation.
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