Why Is Mayella Ewell Important In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird, a novel by Harper Lee, is about the lives of Scout and Jem, who are impacted by the unfair trial of Tom Robinson. The daughter of a poor family, Mayella Ewell, accuses Tom of raping her. While she is attempting to kiss Tom, her father’s arrival interrupts her. Experiencing a life of abuse and neglect, Mayella is in most ways but not all worthy of compassion because she still ruins a man’s life. Mayella Ewell is a victim of abuse. At the trials, Atticus reveals Bob Ewell, the father of Mayella, has been physically harming her. After seen kissing Tom Robinson, her father beat her to her the point where, “her arms were bruised, and she showed me her neck. There were definite finger marks on her gullet-"(192). This shows what happens behind closed doors and the reason Mayella is in fear of her life. As a result of this, Mayella has no control over her life and it is not her fault her dad beats her. When she accuses Tom of rape, it is only because she wants to live. Victims of abuse will go to great lengths to save themselves from more assault. It is not her responsibility to choose whether her safety is more important than Tom's.

Mayella is called up to the stands during the trial and shares her side of the story. Atticus then asks her, "' Who are your friends?' The witness frowned as is puzzled. 'Friends?'" (208). Although she lives in a large household, Mayella is described as the loneliest person in the world. Her lack of understanding of friends, displays how truly isolated and unloved she is. When Tom shows her compassion, she did not know how to react. Misinterpreting his kindness as an attraction to her, she grabs at it, when she has the chance. Without having a positive role model in her life, Mayella should not be expected to know what to do. Her lack of mentor is what really causes her poor decision making. Mayella should not be blamed for the situation she is born