Question

When Tom Robinson admits that he felt pity for Mayella Ewell, the reaction of the observers in the courtroom is _____.

a)sympathetic
b)angry
c)confused
d)uninterested

Answer 1

The correct answer is Angry. Why?

Because Tom Robinson is a black man and Mayella Ewell is a white woman. In their culture a negro feeling pity for a white person makes others assume they are putting themself above the white race. Tom feels pity for Mayella because she seduced a black man into kissing her and they went to court about it and Mayella has to lie her way out of it and accuse the black man of raping her.

Answer 2

When Tom Robinson admits that he felt pity for Mayella Ewell, the reaction of the observers in the courtroom is C) Confused

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The answer is confused because the Ewells are very poor and have to forage for food. Even more, the Ewells are very racist and prejudice. For Tom, a black man, to admit he felt sorry for them, that wasn't expected.