In Harper Lee's To Kill a
Mockingbird, the first point Atticus makes is that even after this alleged
crime of rape, no one called a doctor. This is a serious breach in the prosecution's
ability to charge Tom Robinson with sexual assault if a doctor could not confirm it with
an examination. It also seems odd that no one cared enough for
Mayella to call a doctor to simply see if she was all right, regardless of the
ramifications affecting the court case.
readability="25">"Did you call a doctor, Sheriff? Did anybody
call a doctor?" asked Atticus."No, sir," said Mr.
Tate."Didn't call a
doctor?""No sir," repeated Mr.
Tate."Why not?" There was an edge to Atticus'
voice."Well I can tell you why I didn't. It wasn't
necessary, Mr. Finch. She was mighty banged up. Something sho' happened, it was
obvious.""But you didn't call a doctor? While you were
there did anyone send for one, fetch one, carry her to
one?""No
sir—"Heck Tate continues,
pointing out that she was beaten badly, and that "she had a black eye
comin'."This point sticks in Atticus' mind, and this is
the second point Atticus makes, without explaining—at this time—why it's important. He
asks Heck to describe which eye was blackened. Atticus wants to clarify exactly which
eye it was, based on the way Heck was facing, or based upon which side of the face the
eye was on: Tate thinks about it and then affirms that it was her
right eye. Looking at Tom, Heck remembers something as a thought
occurs to him; Atticus asks Heck to repeat himself, as something (the same thing) has
occurred to him, too.readability="22">"Sheriff, please repeat what you
said.""It was her right eye, I
said.""No…" Atticus walked to the court reporter's desk
and bent down to the furiously scribbling hand. It stopped, flipped back the shorthand
pad, and the court reporter said, "'Mr. Finch. I remember now she was bunged up on that
side of the face.'"Atticus looked up at Mr. Tate. "Which
side again, Heck?""The right side, Mr.
Finch…"Atticus is intent on
reminding the jury that no doctor was called to confirm the alleged rape, and that
Mayella had been struck on the right side of the face. This will become a central point
of consideration as the court case advances.
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