While Tom is on the witness stand, Mr. Gilmer begins to question him as to why he chose to help Mayella Ewell out for free. Tom responds by saying, "I felt right sorry for her, she seemed to try more'n the rest of 'em---" (Lee 264) This statement hurts Tom's testimony because in 1930's Alabama it is unheard of for a black man to feel sorry for a white person. Black men occupy the lowest rung of society and should never be so confident as to feel pity towards a white person. Tom's statement defies the social conventions of the time period and offends the jury members. Scout writes that "the damage was done," and Tom instantly realizes his mistake.
Tom also tells Mr. Gilmer that Mayella's statements are false. Mr. Gilmer repeats Mayella's statements and continually asks Tom if they are correct. Mr. Gilmer essentially makes Tom state numerous times that Mayella is lying. Mr. Gilmer's strategy works because he reassures that the jury is trying a case that puts a white person's word, against a black man's. A black man's word is never taken over a white person's word in Maycomb, Alabama. Tom defies racial conventions twice, first by showing sympathy towards Mayella and then by claiming that she is lying. The jury convicts Tom Robinson solely based on the unwritten laws of society and not on the evidence provided.
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