To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee takes place in Alabama through the 1930's . Harper Lee explores the life of two young children , and the flaws of society they must overcome . Throughout this time period black citizens are mistreated by a majority of white citizens . In To Kill a Mockingbird , Harper Lee creates a supportive and positive portrayal of black citizens . One way which Harper Lee creates a supportive and positive portrayal is through showing the injustice that the black citizens go through . After a long wait by Jem and Scout the jury has finally reached a verdict , The slip of paper is handed to Judge Taylor who then polls the jury , " Guilty . . . guilty . . . guilty . . . guilty . . . " (p . 211) . This shows injustice by having Tom Robinson tried guilty when he was obviously innocent and there was proof of his innocence , but that didn't seem to matter . When Jem and Scout are talking to Atticus Jem states he doesn't think rape should be a capital offense , Scout narrating says for Atticus " He didn't have any quarrel with the rape statute . . . But he had a deep misgiving when the state asked for and the jury gave a death penalty on purely circumstantial evidence . " (p . 219) . This shows injustice because Tom was tried guilty with no witnesses , there should be at least one or two eye-witnesses that can say , yes , I was there and I saw him do it . When Atticus arrives home he summons Calpurnia , Aunt Alexandra , Miss . Maudie , and Scout to the kitchen announcing that tom Robinson is dead he explains his death bysaying , " Tom's dead . . . It was during exercise period . They said he just broke into a blind raving charge at the fence and started climbing over . . . They fired a few shots in the air , then to kill . . . Seventeen bullet holes in him . " (p.235) . This shows injustice because there was no need to shoot him he could have been easily apprehended , and if it was totally necessary to shoot him sevent...
