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Why is it unlikely that Tom Robinson beat up Mayella in the manner she describes?

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Final answer:

In 'To Kill a Mockingbird', it is unlikely that Tom Robinson beat up Mayella Ewell because his severely injured left arm contradicts her description of the attack by a fully able assailant, an inconsistency that highlights possible testimonial injustice influenced by the systemic racism of the time.

Step-by-step explanation:

The passage you are referring to seems to be about Tom Robinson from Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird. In the book, it is unlikely that Tom Robinson beat up Mayella Ewell as she describes because of a crucial piece of evidence presented during the trial: Tom Robinson's left arm is severely injured and essentially non-functional as a result of a past accident. Mayella's injuries suggest that she was attacked by someone who could use both hands, thus indicating an inconsistency in her story and casting doubt on her accusation against a one-armed man.

Additionally, the cultural and societal context of the novel, which includes deep-seated racial prejudices, suggests an alternative motive for the accusation. Systemic racism and expectations of Mayella Ewell's community could have influenced her to wrongfully accuse Tom, an innocent black man, to avoid the shame of her own actions being discovered, thus representing an aspect of testimonial injustice.

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