When Tom Robinson is being questioned by Mr. Gilmer, Tom says something that seems shocking to most of the people in the courtroom. (Atticus is, of course, not shocked to hear it.) Mr. Gilmer asks why Tom would help Mayella. Tom says, "“Yes, suh. I felt right sorry for her, she seemed to try more’n the rest of ‘em—" Mr. Gilmer is indignant. He can not believe that a black man would feel sorry for a white girl. This admission shows how lonely Mayella was. She was faced with raising the Ewell children herself, while living with a drunk, abusive father. Tom recognized this and this is why he would stop and help her. She is such an outcast that only a fellow outcast (Tom, outcast from most other white society) tries to help her.
In Chapter 23, Atticus is explaining why he did not retaliate when Bob Ewell spit in his face. It has more to do with Mayella than it does with Atticus's pride or getting revenge against Bob. Atticus says, "So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I’d rather it be me than that houseful of children out there." Atticus shows that there is no one to stand up for Mayella. She is alone in the Ewell home. The Ewells are outcasts, literally meaning they are cast out of society in a number of ways. Mayella has had to fend for herself most of her life.
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