Atticus Finch Diary Entries
November 2, 1934,
Judge Taylor came to my home today and told me that a local Negro, Tom Robinson, had been accused by Bob Ewell of raping his daughter and has been arrested and is being held in custody. The Judge told me that he was thinking of appointing me to take the case as Tom’s defense lawyer, and I told him that I would; knowing the clear innocence of Tom and lack of any kind of evidence. God, I hope I know what I’m getting myself into. I don’t know if it’s fair for me to put the weight of this my decision on Jem and Scout but I know there will be no way to avoid it. Jem will be ready for it but it’s Scout that I’m worried about. A lot of hate is about to be coming my way over this case and I’m sure Scout will try to defend me; I don’t know if I can convince her to ignore it and keep her head. However, I cannot ignore this case and let this man be hanged just because fighting my hardest for him would be difficult for me and my family. This is bigger than me, this is bigger than Maycomb. I may not be able to save Tom but at the very least I will make sure that the truth comes out. |
August 25, 1935,
I had been in my office working on the paperwork for Tom’s appeal when I heard he had been killed attempting to escape from prison. I told him that we wouldn’t win the first trial but we had such a good chance… more than a good chance, if we appealed his case to the higher courts. I know he was scared but why did he have to run? He almost made it too, was at the top of the fence before they shot him; seventeen bullet holes in him, God they didn’t have to him that much. I’m going to tell Jem and Scout tonight before I go to the Robinson’s home to tell Helen the news. She’ll be completely devastated, but she has to know. I’m thinking that I’ll take Calpurnia with me; it might make it easier for Helen. At the very least it’s all over. I wasn’t able to save Tom, but the truth is out. Maycomb can no longer stew in blissful ignorance to the problem sitting right beneath their noses. |