Journal #5 Chapters 14 & 15 Perspective: Tom Robinson

Journal #5
Chapters 14 & 15
Perspective: Tom Robinson

Dear Diary,

I have been sitting in this jail cell for too long. I look outside my window covered with metal bars wishing I was able to emerge from my cell and back into the world. The only good part about being here is that I don't have to work. I worry about my family though. My wife Helen and all of our children. I have become very pensive wondering of my family. How are they? Are they starving. I feel so helpless not being able to help them and provide for them.

I am glad I have Atticus as my lawyer. Unlike most white folk he actually cares about me and if I die or not. I know that there are very slim chances that I will get out of this alive even if Atticus is a good lawyer. Atticus can't save me from being a negro and that is what could kill me. Atticus' reassurance is no compensation for the fact that so many whites are against me, and because of this I could die. The racism that comes from the white folk I don't understand. I don't understand how the could accuse me of something so horrid. I don't get why they antagonize me so.

I have heard the sheriff talking. I have heard him say that I could be killed by a mob. I am scared for my life any more now. There is so much to be afraid of. I am praying to God that I will not be hurt and that he will pull me through this difficult time.

Atticus came tonight. I knew that the mob was going to come tonight. I watched Atticus as he sat outside of the jail on his desk chair with of course a newspaper in his hand. Across the street from a window high up sat Mr.Underwood with his double barrel shotgun sticking out the window. I heard cars pulling up. My whole body became ridged. I looked down out of the window and I saw A huge group of men coming toward my direction and the jail. Atticus got up and folded his paper nicely. They asked him if I was here. Atticus said yes but that I was sleeping. I listened to them say that Atticus knew what they wanted, I knew too well what they wanted. They wanted to kill me.

I stood looking out the window and listening for a while. Atticus told them to go home and that sheriff Heck was near by. All of the sudden Atticus' little girl Jean Louise Finch came bounding up the road. Hey Atticus she said. Then came son Jem and another boy who looked a bit older then Jean Louise. Atticus looked at them. He told Jem to Leave but I didn't see Jem budge. After that I couldn't hear much. I then saw a big man pick Jem up by the collar. Jean Louise kicked barefoot but the man fell back because Jean had kicked him in a very sensitive spot. I didn't hear much after that. I heard "get em outa here" but I didn't see anyone leave.

A little bit later I saw Jean Louise looking at all the men in the half circle around her father. She stopped looking when she saw a man standing in the middle of the half circle. It was Mr.Cunningham. She apparently acquired some courage and said "Hey, Mr.Cunningham." When he didn't reply the first time she said it again.After he still didn't reply she began to speak. She asked questions and talked about Mr.Cunninghams son. He never said anything. Jean Louise stopped talking and something peculiar happened. Mr.Cunningham said "I'll tell him you said hey, little lady" He was talking about saying something to his son, from what I heard was named Walter. Mr. Cunningham I'm guessing began questioning what he was doing and said something to the rest of the men and I sat down. I heard a plethora of cars leaving and I asked Atticus if they were gone. He said "They've gone. Get some sleep Tom. They wont bother you anymore." I heard Mr.Underwood yell something and Atticus walked over to talk to him. I lied down on my cot.

For once I am not scared. I know I will be OK. At least for tonight.

Till another day,

Tom Robinson