Can one man’s truth pierce a town’s prejudice?
In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Tom Robinson, an honest and courageous African American, faces a false accusation of rape in 1930s Maycomb, Alabama. Despite flimsy evidence and Atticus Finch’s defense, systemic racism seals his tragic fate, yet his integrity shines through.
These 30 quotes, including 26 by Tom and 4 about him, are organized into three stages—quiet dignity, facing accusation, and growing courage—revealing his moral strength through Lee’s powerful prose and insightful analysis.
Check the note at the end about the edition used and why page numbers may shift.
Quiet Dignity: A Life of Honest Work
Tom’s quiet dignity shapes his life as a devoted family man and hardworking laborer in Maycomb’s unforgiving world.
Atticus Finch’s defense of Tom reveals a shared commitment to justice. explore Atticus’s moral courage.
“Tom was twenty-five years of age; he was married with three children; he had been in trouble with the law before: he once received thirty days for disorderly conduct. ‘It must have been disorderly,’ said Atticus. ‘What did it consist of?’ ‘Got in a fight with another man, he tried to cut me.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Character: Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 216
Tom’s candid admission of a past scuffle shows his honesty, risking prejudice in a biased courtroom.
“You were both convicted?” ‘Yes suh, I had to serve ‘cause I couldn’t pay the fine. Other fellow paid his’n.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 217
Tom’s explanation of his punishment reveals economic injustice compounding racial bias in Maycomb.
“Were you acquainted with Mayella Violet Ewell?” asked Atticus. ‘Yes suh, I had to pass her place goin’ to and from the field every day.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 217
Tom’s routine path past the Ewell house underscores his unassuming life, soon disrupted by false accusations.
“I picks for Mr. Link Deas… I works pretty steady for him all year round.”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Character: Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 217
Tom’s steady employment reflects his devotion to his family, a quiet act of dignity.
“You say you had to pass the Ewell place to get to and from work. Is there any other way to go?” ‘No suh, none’s I know of.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 217
Tom’s lack of an alternate route highlights his vulnerability, trapped by circumstance near the Ewells.
“Tom, did she ever speak to you?” ‘Why, yes suh, I’d tip m’hat when I’d go by, and one day she asked me to come inside the fence and bust up a chiffarobe for her.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 217
Tom’s polite interaction with Mayella shows his kindness, unwittingly setting the stage for her accusation.
“When did she ask you to chop up the—the chiffarobe?” ‘Mr. Finch, it was way last spring. I remember it because it was choppin’ time and I had my hoe with me. I said I didn’t have nothin’ but this hoe, but she said she had a hatchet. She give me the hatchet and I broke up the chiffarobe. She said, ‘I reckon I’ll hafta give you a nickel, won’t I?’ an’ I said, ‘No ma’am, there ain’t no charge.’ Then I went home. Mr. Finch, that was way last spring, way over a year ago.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 217
Tom’s detailed recollection of a kind act underscores his selflessness, contrasting with the Ewells’ deceit.
“Did you ever go on the place again?” ‘Yes suh.’ ‘When?’ ‘Well, I went lots of times.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 217
Tom’s frequent visits to help Mayella reveal his compassion, exploited by her false narrative.
“Why did you go inside the fence lots of times?” Tom Robinson’s forehead relaxed. ‘She’d call me in, suh. Seemed like every time I passed by yonder she’d have some little somethin’ for me to do—choppin’ kindlin’, totin’ water for her. She watered them red flowers every day—’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 218
Tom’s willingness to assist Mayella highlights his empathy, despite the risks of racial prejudice.
“Were you paid for your services?” ‘No suh, not after she offered me a nickel the first time. I was glad to do it, Mr. Ewell didn’t seem to help her none, and neither did the chillun, and I knowed she didn’t have no nickels to spare.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 218
Tom’s unpaid help reflects his generosity, contrasting with the Ewells’ neglect and poverty.
Tom’s honest labor sets the stage for the storm of prejudice he’ll face.
Facing Accusation: A Trial’s Bitter Truth
Tom’s moral integrity holds firm as he testifies against a false charge, exposing Maycomb’s deep-seated racism.
Scout’s perspective on Tom’s trial reveals Maycomb’s moral divides. uncover Scout’s sharp wit.
“Where were the other children?” ‘They was always around, all over the place. They’d watch me work, some of ‘em, some of ‘em’d set in the window.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 218
Tom’s observation of the Ewell children’s presence adds credibility to his account, undermining Mayella’s story.
“Would Miss Mayella talk to you?” ‘Yes sir, she talked to me.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 218
Tom’s acknowledgment of conversations with Mayella shows his openness, risking misinterpretation in a prejudiced court.
“Did you ever,” Atticus interrupted my meditations, “at any time, go on the Ewell property—did you ever set foot on the Ewell property without an express invitation from one of them?” ‘No suh, Mr. Finch, I never did. I wouldn’t do that, suh.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 218
Tom’s firm denial of uninvited visits underscores his respect for boundaries, bolstering his integrity.
“Tom, what happened to you on the evening of November twenty-first of last year?” … ‘Mr. Finch,’ he said, ‘I was goin’ home as usual that evenin’, an’ when I passed the Ewell place Miss Mayella were on the porch, like she said she were. It seemed real quiet like, an’ I didn’t quite know why. I was studyin’ why, just passin’ by, when she says for me to come there and help her a minute. Well, I went inside the fence an’ looked around for some kindlin’ to work on, but I didn’t see none, and she says, ‘Naw, I got somethin’ for you to do in the house. Th’ old door’s off its hinges an’ fall’s comin’ on pretty fast.’ I said you got a screwdriver, Miss Mayella? She said she sho’ had. Well, I went up the steps an’ she motioned me to come inside, and I went in the front room an’ looked at the door. I said Miss Mayella, this door look all right. I pulled it back’n forth and those hinges was all right. Then she shet the door in my face. Mr. Finch, I was wonderin’ why it was so quiet like, an’ it come to me that there weren’t a chile on the place, not a one of ’em, and I said Miss Mayella, where the chillun?’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 219
Tom’s detailed account of the incident demonstrates his truthfulness, noting the eerie absence of the children.
“I say where the chillun?” he continued, “an’ she says—she was laughin’, sort of—she says they all gone to town to get ice creams. She says, ‘took me a slap year to save seb’m nickels, but I done it. They all gone to town.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 220
Tom’s question about the children exposes Mayella’s deception, revealing his cautious awareness.
“I said somethin’ like, why Miss Mayella, that’s right smart o’you to treat ’em. An’ she said, ‘You think so?’ I don’t think she understood what I was thinkin’—I meant it was smart of her to save like that, an’ nice of her to treat em.”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 220
Tom’s genuine compliment to Mayella reflects his kindness, misunderstood in a racially charged context.
“I understand you, Tom. Go on,” said Atticus. ‘Well, I said I best be goin’, I couldn’t do nothin’ for her, an’ she says oh yes I could, an’ I ask her what, and she says to just step on that chair yonder an’ git that box down from on top of the chiffarobe.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 220
Tom’s attempt to leave shows his unease, yet his willingness to help highlights his good nature.
“Not the same chiffarobe you busted up?” asked Atticus. The witness smiled. ‘Naw suh, another one. Most as tall as the room. So I done what she told me, an’ I was just reachin’ when the next thing I knows she—she’d grabbed me round the legs, grabbed me round th’ legs, Mr. Finch. She scared me so bad I hopped down an’ turned the chair over—that was the only thing, only furniture, ‘sturbed in that room, Mr. Finch, when I left it. I swear ’fore God.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 220
Tom’s shock at Mayella’s advance underscores his innocence, his oath affirming his moral stance.
“What happened after that?” ‘Answer the question,’ said Judge Taylor. … ‘Mr. Finch, I got down offa that chair an’ turned around an’ she sorta jumped on me.’ ‘Jumped on you? Violently?’ ‘No suh, she—she hugged me. She hugged me round the waist.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 220
Tom’s calm recounting of Mayella’s actions reveals his restraint, avoiding violence despite her advances.
“She reached up an’ kissed me ’side of th’ face. She says she never kissed a grown man before an’ she might as well kiss a n*****. She says what her papa do to her don’t count. She says, ‘Kiss me back, n*****.’ I say Miss Mayella lemme outa here an’ tried to run but she got her back to the door an’ I’da had to push her. I didn’t wanta harm her, Mr. Finch, an’ I say lemme pass, but just when I say it Mr. Ewell yonder hollered through th’ window.”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 221
Tom’s refusal to harm Mayella, despite her provocative words, showcases his dignity under pressure.
Tom’s testimony, though truthful, cannot sway a prejudiced jury, marking his stand against injustice.
Growing Courage: A Legacy of Defiance
Tom’s courage grows as he faces trial, mob, and a tragic end, leaving a legacy of strength for his family and Maycomb.
Explore more of Maycomb’s voices in this timeless novel. discover iconic To Kill a Mockingbird quotes.
“Tom, did you rape Mayella Ewell?” ‘I did not, suh.’ ‘Did you harm her in any way?’ ‘I did not, suh.’ ‘Did you resist her advances?’ ‘Mr. Finch, I tried. I tried to ’thout bein’ ugly to her. I didn’t wanta be ugly, I didn’t wanta push her or nothin’.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 221
Tom’s resolute denial and gentle resistance affirm his moral integrity, defying the courtroom’s prejudice.
“Tom, go back once more to Mr. Ewell,” said Atticus. ‘Did he say anything to you?’ ‘Not anything, suh. He mighta said somethin’, but I weren’t there—’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 222
Tom’s careful honesty in clarifying Ewell’s words avoids assumptions, bolstering his credibility.
“Mr. Finch, he were talkin’ and lookin’ at Miss Mayella.” ‘Then you ran?’ ‘I sho’ did, suh.’ ‘Why did you run?’ ‘I was scared, suh.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 222
Tom’s fear-driven flight reflects the racial dangers he faces, his honesty exposing Maycomb’s hostility.
“Why were you scared?” ‘Mr. Finch, if you was a n***** like me, you’d be scared, too.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 222
Tom’s bold truth about racial fear challenges the courtroom, his courage piercing Maycomb’s hypocrisy.
“Tom Robinson: Looks like she didn’t have nobody to help her. I felt right sorry for her. She seemed… Prosecutor: You felt sorry for her? A white woman? You felt sorry for her?”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Mr. Gilmer and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 224
Tom’s empathy for Mayella, met with Gilmer’s scorn, highlights the racial taboo he bravely crosses.
“Were you so scared that she’d hurt you, you ran, a big buck like you?” ‘No suh, I’s scared I’d be in court, just like I am now.’ ‘Scared of arrest, scared you’d have to face up to what you did?’ ‘No suh, scared I’d hafta face up to what I didn’t do.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Mr. Gilmer and Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 225
Tom’s fear of false accusation, articulated with clarity, underscores his innocence and the injustice he endures.
“Tom was a black-velvet Negro, not shiny, but soft black velvet. The whites of his eyes shone in his face, and when he spoke we saw flashes of his teeth. If he had been whole, he would have been a fine specimen of a man.”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Character: Scout Finch as the narrator about Tom Robinson), Chapter 19, Page 219
Scout’s vivid description captures Tom’s dignity and humanity, diminished only by his unjust circumstances.
“To begin with, this case should never have come to trial… The state has not produced one iota of medical evidence that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place…”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Character: Atticus Finch about Tom Robinson), Chapter 20, Page 230
Atticus’s opening argument affirms Tom’s innocence, exposing the lack of evidence in a prejudiced system.
“Now, gentlemen, in this country, our courts are the great levelers. In our courts, all men are created equal… In the name of God, believe Tom Robinson.”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Character: Atticus Finch about Tom Robinson), Chapter 20, Page 231
Atticus’s closing plea for Tom’s freedom challenges the jury’s bias, amplifying Tom’s moral stand.
“They shot him,” said Atticus. ‘He was running. It was during their exercise period. They said he just broke into a blind raving charge at the fence and started climbing over… Seventeen bullet holes in him. They didn’t have to shoot him that much.’”
~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, (Characters: Atticus Finch and Aunt Alexandra about Tom Robinson), Chapter 24, Page 268
Tom’s desperate escape attempt reflects his final act of courage, met with excessive violence that seals his tragic fate.
Like Tom, Boo Radley faces Maycomb’s judgment as an outsider. uncover Boo’s quiet heroism.
Tom’s courage, though crushed, leaves a legacy that challenges Maycomb’s heart.
Conclusion: Tom’s Unyielding Spirit
These 30 quotes capture Tom Robinson’s journey in To Kill a Mockingbird, from a devoted family man to a symbol of courage against systemic injustice. Harper Lee’s searing prose and Tom’s steadfast integrity inspire us to confront prejudice with resilience, honoring his legacy for justice and equality.
A Note on Page Numbers & Edition:
These quotes, like Tom’s truth drowned by Maycomb’s whispers, are drawn from the Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2002 paperback edition, ISBN-13: 978-0060935467. Page numbers like the jury’s opinion may shift across editions, so cross-check with your copy for precision.
Jeremy Mortis, founder of Ageless Investing, applies a rigorous analytical approach (the AAM framework) to distill timeless wisdom and contextualized quotes from classic literature, saving you time while deepening understanding. Learn more about Jeremy’s unique background and methodology on his author bio page.