Tom Robinson is shot while trying to escape from prison, so the simple answer to this question is that Tom is killed for trying to escape confinement. However, this answer should prompt us to question why Tom tries to escape from prison in the first place. After all, Atticus does at one point suggest there's a (slim) chance that Tom's case could be appealed. If there was chance Tom might have gained his freedom, why did he try to escape?
The answer is that, though Tom theoretically could appeal his case, in reality there is basically no chance for a black man to receive justice in a legal system dominated by racist white men. Faced with the racist culture of the United States, Tom knows that he is fated to be condemned for a crime he didn't commit. Thus, Tom despairs at such a hopeless situation and tries to escape, knowing fully that he will most likely die in the attempt.
No comments:
Post a Comment