In To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus has
been tasked with defending Tom Robinson, an innocent man. However, in Maycomb County,
innocence is defined in terms of race and, as Tom is a black man, no matter what
evidence supports his innocence, he will inevitably be found guilty. Such is the case by
chapter 24 when Atticus returns from the prison where he has tried to give Tom some hope
of reprieve from his guilty verdict. Tom, however, has given up hope; even telling
Atticus that there "ain't no use tryin'."
Atticus walks in
on the Missionary Circle's meeting and it is clear that something is wrong. Atticus
tells Calpurnia and Aunt Alexander what has happened to Tom. Tom is dead! He was
apparently killed while trying to escape during the exercise period. The guards, having
pointed their weapons in the air and fired a few warning shots, then shot him no less
than seventeen times, claiming that he was in "a blind rage." It appears Tom almost made
it, going so fast, but the bullets stopped him just as he went over the
fence.
It seems, according to Atticus, that Tom thought
his chances of escape over the fence were as good as any "white men's chances;" in other
words, as unlikely as it may have seemed that Tom would make it over the fence, it is
just as likely as a lawful reprieve (that is, improbable). Atticus has previously tried
to reassure Tom that he has a good chance of being freed but is unable to guarantee it
and Tom, having patiently waited and having been subjected to humiliation and a complete
travesty of justice, can see no chance, despite his proven innocence, because Maycomb
County has effectively made its decision. Atticus's faith in human nature is admirable
but Tom's own lack of faith in the system is understandable as it has already let him
down so badly. Unfortunately, this situation of mistrust and injustice will continue,
almost unnoticed in Maycomb County.
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