The start of Tom Robinsons trial

At the start of the trial Harper Lee uses various techniques to create a tense atmosphere, especially through the responses of the various people of Maycomb, as well as Scout, Dill and Jem themselves, for example, as Atticus repeated his questions to Heck Tate, with a purpose of proving his point, as to why a doctor was not called, Jem seems to understand the point Atticus is attempting to prove, as his "hand, which was resting on the balcony rail, tightened around it. He drew in his breath suddenly." This signals to Scout, and therefore also the reader, that this is a tense and important moment, as she glances "below, I saw no corresponding reaction, and wondered if Jem was trying to be dramatic". This shows us how little she really understands the true situation and arguments of the court, her childish inquisitiveness being demonstrated once again. Scout soon describes the court as"utterly dull: nobody had thundered, there was no arguments between opposing counsel, there was no drama; a grave disappointment at present, it seemed.", suggesting to the reader that the court was serene and calm, even though there had been tense conversations between Heck, Atticus and Mr Gilmer, revealing hints about the defence Atticus would pick up later in the court case. Prior to this, as Scout, Dill and Jem enter the courtroom, Lee subtly references the caste system in Maycomb once again, as the black people are in a separate seating area to the whites, and also, as Reverend Sykes brings the children over, 4 black people are quick to give up their seats. This not only describes the hierarchy in the Maycomb society, but also hints that Tom Robinson is at a disadvantage already, because of the way black people have been downgraded from society. 

 Later, as Robert Ewell comes to the stand and reveals his version of the rape of his daughter, Mayella Ewell, we learn the details of the case, and Reverend Sykes suggests that Jem takes Scout and Dill home when the gruesome details of the story, showing the reader that they are beginning to reach a climax in the courtroom, and it is not suitable for the children to watch. Judge Taylor is then required to silence the courtroom, and reject a request for the court to be cleared of spectators, showing us again the severity of the situation, and the upcoming climax. Finally, as it is revealed that Bob Ewell is left-handed, and Mayella had bruises on the right of her face, Atticus seems to be suggesting that Bob beat his daughter to frame Tom Robinson.

This is a quiz testing your knowledge on To Kill a Mocking Bird, try it!- http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz411184b7f18.html