Truth vs. Reality
Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, tells a story of children learning that the “truth” does not always correlate with “reality”. Throughout To Kill A Mockingbird, many themes are discernible. Among those themes is Truth vs. Reality. Within this novel, what is "true" is constantly shifting to bring forth a new "reality". Tom’s guilt, the relationship between Tom and Mayella, and Mayella’s relationship with her father all showcase Truth vs. Reality during Tom Robinson’s trial.
Tom’s guilt appears to exist even before the trial begins. In truth, many find Tom to be guilty since he fits into the stereotypical black man persona of the time. Since Tom is a black man, there is no need for actual proof that he did anything (271). This shows that those involved did not think that medical evidence is necessary in this particular case. Yet, in reality, the …show more content…
In truth, Mayella and Tom never spoke to one another before the alleged rape. According to Mayella’s testimony, this incident was the first, and only, time she asked Tom to help her do any odd jobs. Yet she concedes that he could have helped her before, but there are many African Americans in the area (257). On the contrary, the reality is Tom had been helping Mayella often for over a year. Chopping up a chiffarobe was among many of his tasks. To confer with Tom’s testimony, the two had clearly spent enough time together that Mayella was fond of him. Atticus uses his closing speech to suggest, “‘Her desires were stronger than the code she was breaking...She must destroy the evidence of her offense. What is the evidence of her offence? Tom Robinson, a human being… She kissed a black man,” (272). Atticus indicates that Mayella is only claiming Tom raped her to put away some of the guilt she feels for acting on this desire. She feels embarrassed that she kissed a black