Dill cries because the way Mr. Gilmer was unrightfully treating Tom made him feel sick. The trial was of Tom Robinson accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Atticus was appointed to represent Tom Robinson, and he courageously continued the case, despite family and friends opinions. The court case begins in chapter 16 and the witnesses are called to the stand, questioned by Gilmer then by Atticus and dismissed. Atticus is a very fair lawyer, he respects everyone he questions no matter race, gender, or social economic status. Scout informs Dill that not all lawyers are like that, and Mr. Gilmer was only doing his job. Dill bursts into tears in the courtroom, once Scout takes him outside he educates her on why he was crying, “The way he called him ‘boy’ all the time an’ sneered at him an’ looked around at the jury every time he answered” (Lee 266). Dill is a kind child and he has pure intentions and views. On page 210 Atticus mentions that there should be a police force of children because most children do not see through and racial, social status, or gender fogged lens, not including the lens of their parent or guardians. Children have an innocent and purity to them that can only be obtained by their justice-seeking minds. Dill began crying because he saw that Mr. Gilmer was unrightfully disgracing Tom due to his race and it made him feel very sick.
I agree that Dill was moved by how unfairly Tom Robinson was being treated. Tom was questioned very rudely. I noticed that Tom was never referred to as Mr. Robinson by Mr. Glimmer. In contrast, Atticus was very polite to Mayella. Dill noticed the difference between how the two witnesses were being treated and he found it very upsetting. To Dill it shouldn’t matter what color your skin is to be treated fairly and with respect. He says “ It ain’t right, somehow it ain’t right to do ‘em that way. Hasn’t anybody got any business talkin’ like that - it just makes me sick.” (Lee 266) I think Dill has a strong sense of what's right and wrong. He is very innocent and empathique because he is not judging people by their race.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dill, in that Tom Robinson was being treated unequally in the trial, compared to Atticus treating Mayella with politeness and respect. Dill has every right to become upset by the way Tom was being treated while in court. Atticus's idea about having a children police force is formed because it feels as if the children in Maycomb treat all people with respect which is not what the vast majority adults do. "I know all that, Scout. It was the way he said it made me sick, plain sick"(Lee, 266). Kids see transparently towards the black community past there skin color and to who each person is on the inside. In this case, Dill gets infuriated by the way he talks to Tom Robison. Mr. Gilmer doesn't treat Tom like another man but as a little kid. Dill wishes that Tom would be treated for the person he truly, which is why Dill feels sick.
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