In the trial of Tom Robinson, Mr. Gilmer is the circuit
solicitor. Scout describes him as a man who was from Abbottsville, whom she and Jem and
Dill only saw when court was in session. He was
a balding, smooth-faced man, he could have been
anywhere between forty and sixty....we knew he had a slight cast in one of his eyes
which he used to his advantage: he seemed to be looking at a person when he was
actually doing nothing of the kind, thus he was hell on juries and
witnesses.
There is a tension
between Atticus Finch and Mr. Gilmer that develops in this chapter because when Mr.
Gilmer interviews Sherriff Tate, and Mr. Tate testifies that Mayella was "pretty well
beat up," Mr. Gilmer just thanks Mr. Tate for his testimony, but Atticus asks why a
doctor was not called. Mr. Gilmer's disinterest seems to irritate Atticus because he
senses that Mr. Gilmer feels his case is already won.
Then,
when Atticus asks Bob Ewell if he can write and read, Mr. Gilmer objects, wondering what
influence "Mr. Ewell's education had on the case." As Atticus continues, Mr. Gilmer
half-stands and half-sits at his table, actions that suggest his discomfiture with
Atticus's questions which establish Mr. Ewell as being left-handed. For, Mr. Gilmer
realizes that by pointing out that Bob Ewell is left-handed, Atticus can establish that
Tom Robinson is not guilty of striking Mayella since the marks on her face were made by
someone who has use of his left hand and arm. Knowing this crucial fact could sway even
a complacent jury, Mr. Gilmer becomes angry
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