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Theme Of Death Punishment In To Kill A Mockingbird

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To Kill a Mockingbird is a book that deals with many current events during the 1930’s. A major event was the death punishment. The death punishment was used to punish criminals who committed a terrible crime. Tom Robinson was going to have to be given the death punishment. The death punishment was used for many crimes, such as stealing, illegally making alcohol, and arson. The most common crime was rape. In the book, Atticus says, “You know rape in a capital offense in Alabama.” (Lee, 293). In the book Tom Robinson was accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Jem and Scout do not understand why Tom Robinson has to be given the death punishment. They believe that rape shouldn’t be a capital offense, but it is the law. However, only 31 states still

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