Chapter 18/19: What do you make of Mayella Ewell's testimony? Pay close attention to her physical appearance, speech, and attitude. (Sophia)

Mayella Ewell got very anxious, nervous, and sweaty during her testimony. She cried many times while testifying and Judge Taylor had to speak in a soothing voice in attempts to calm her down. While watching Mayella Ewell testify, Scout narrates, “...she had twisted her handkerchief into a sweaty rope”(Lee 241). Mayella is uncomfortable and scared. She has never been in a position like this before, and she doesn’t know how to act. When Atticus asked Mayella who the man that raped her was, Mayella only points to Tom Robinson. Mayella also accuses Atticus of teasing and mocking her. When Atticus asked Mayella about her friends, Mayella answered by saying, "Friends? You makin' fun o' me agin, Mr. Finch?"(Lee 245). Mayella obviously is lonely and doesn’t have any friends despite her many brothers and sisters. Mayella also accuses Atticus of teasing her when he refers to her as “ma’am” or “miss”. Mayella is not used to being treated with respect. She is usually looked down upon by the white community and it feels strange for her to now be treated as an equal to somebody.