Throughout the novel, Tom becomes embroiled in a tragic chain of events when he is falsely accused of raping a white woman named Mayella Ewell. Tom is defended by Atticus, but despite his innocence, he is found guilty by an all-white jury and sentenced to death.
Tom's trial and conviction are a powerful indictment of the racial prejudice and injustice that existed in the American South during the 1930s. His death serves as a catalyst for Atticus's daughter, Scout, to confront the harsh realities of racism and to learn about the importance of fighting for justice.